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Used Volvo XC60 Differential
All used Volvo XC60 Differential listed on Breakeryard.com are tested, original (OEM) manufacturer parts and come with a 14 day money back guarantee. Breakeryard.com list cheap new OES or aftermarket car parts at discounted prices or used OEM car parts up to 80% cheaper than main dealer prices for Volvo XC60 from premium breaker yards from across the UK.
About Differential
What is a differential/what does it do?
A differential is a geared device that transfers power from the engine/gearbox to the driveshafts and on to the driven wheels of a car. The differential is generally located towards the centre of the driven axle. The internal gearing within the differential serves 3 main functions:
- Reduces the rotational speed of the gearbox or propshaft acting as a final down gearing mechanism
- Splits the gearbox output into multiple directions and directs it towards each driven wheel
- Allows each driven wheel to rotate at different speeds when cornering. This is essential as the outside wheel must travel further than the inside wheel when cornering.
Getting into the details of differentials
On a front wheel drive car the differential is generally located beside the gearbox and often offset from the centre of the axle.
A rear wheel drive car has its differential centred on the rear axle, with power transmitted from the gearbox via a propshaft.
All wheel drive cars have 2 or 3 differentials depending on the system. For permanent 4 wheel drive vehicles there is 1 for each axle and a 3rd central differential ensuring front and rear wheels can travel at different speeds. Non-permanent 4 wheel drive vehicles generally don’t have a central differential and front and rear wheels rotate at similar speeds.
There are various technologies employed in differentials but the most common types are open differentials, limited slip differentials, viscous coupling differentials, locking differentials and the Torsen differential. The type fitted to each vehicle is generally specified by the manufacturer and is not changed. However, some off road vehicles can be upgraded to offer better road or off road handling depending on the main use of the vehicle.
What if something goes wrong with a differential?
Due to the number of moving parts within a differential, routine maintenance is highly recommended. Issues are likely to occur if lubricant levels are not maintained. Symptoms of problems include gear/bearing whine or howling, clunking or clicking or other rumbling or whirring sounds emanating from the axle during driving.
Volvo trivia
- There are more than 2000 Volvo dealerships around the world, with the highest number in the US and the UK.
- Volvo is Swedish and was founded in 1924 by two brothers who designed and built the ÖV 4 because they realised that other cars couldn't cope with Sweden's harsh weather. The car was given the name 'Jakob' and had both a 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine and a three-speed manual gearbox.
- The Volvo V40 is considered the safest car ever made and has the highest score to ever been awarded by EuroNCAP.
- There's a theatre in Ireland where the patrons all sit in seats from the Volvo S80 luxury saloon. A local Volvo dealer saw the seats being used at the launch of the S80 and asked Volvo if he could have some for his local theatre.
- The Volvo 240 is considered the benchmark by which all car safety standards are set. The 240 is so well identified with driver, passenger, and pedestrian safety that the US government even purchased 24 of them just to test for themselves how safe they were.