Light Duty Differentials
Canada Wide Parts Distributors LTD. carries many individual parts and kits for all automotive differentials including Quality Gear, Eaton, Spicer, Richmond, GM, Ford and many more. As well we offer a variety of parts including crown and pinions, cases, nest kits, installation and bearing kits. Our specialty is traction components as we are the authorized master distributor for Eaton and Auburn Gear.
Light Duty Locker Types:
Automatic Locker
Operation
In an automatic locker the unit delivers 100% of the torque and power to both drive wheels. During straight line travel, the drive axle operates as if the axle shafts are welded together. The axle shafts will move at least as fast as the ring gear and all of the engine’s power will reach the ground. Both wheels turn at the same speed even if one wheel lifts off the ground. An automatic locker will unlock when turning corners.
Applications
Serious 4x4 enthusiasts who are in severe off-road terrain, crossing from rock to rock with wheels in the air or travelling through deep mud, muskeg, water, swamp or snow should run a automatic locker.
Advantages
Traction is far superior to limited slip or conventional differentials.
Brands We Carry
Torsen Differential
Operation
A torsen differential is a sensitive, torque biasing traction differential consisting of 2 planetary gear sets connected by the overlapping mesh of a pair of helical pinion gears. When a vehicle encounters wet, muddy or icy conditions, this gear type limited slip differential (no clutch or friction plates to wear out) allows for power to be transmitted to the high traction wheel instead of to the spinning wheel.
Applications
With this type of differential the smooth power transfer provides a quiet operation without any steering issues. This unit is well suited to front drive steer axles. It is often speck’d to be used in the front of a 4x4 snowplow. Serious 4x4 enthusiasts will often run an automatic locker in the rear and a torsen differential in the front axle. Racers often run a spool in the rear axle with the torsen again in the front axle. It can also be found in a front axle of a 4x4 farm tractor (75 to 300 hp).
Advantages
The torsen is a very economical unit as compared to the clutch pack type differentials. The smooth and quiet operation will be suited for customers who are opposed to the noise and handling characteristics of a locker.
Brands We Carry
GM Dodge AAM
EZ-Locker (Lunch Box Locker)
Operation
The EZ-locker is a fully automatic, positive locking differential. Similar to the automatic locker, this unit delivers 100% of the torque and power to both drive wheels.
Applications
The EZ-locker differential works well for the occasional off-roader who wants a locker but will not be pushing their vehicle to the absolute limit.
Advantages
The EZ-locker is economical and can be installed easily within a few hours, generally without any special tools.
Brands We Carry
Power Trax LockRight
Clutch Pack Style Differential
Operation
A clutch pack style differential uses carbon fiber discs and four preload springs to offer chatter free operation. As the input torque increases so does the clamping force on the clutch packs.
Applications
The clutch pack style differential can be used in everything from your daily driver to your hot rod, and it is capable of handling high horsepower and mild off-road conditions.
Advantages
The clutch pack style differential is made with a high strength case, precision forged gears and carbon fiber clutch packs. It is also completely rebuildable.
Brands We Carry
GMC/Chevy – Positraction
Chrysler – Sure Grip
Spicer – Trak-Lok/Power-Lok
Ford – Equa-Lock/raction lock
Oldsmobile – Anti Spin
Pontiac – Safe-T-Track
AMC – Twin Grip
Selectable Locking Differential
Above: Selectable Air Locker
Operation
The selectable locking differential is an On-Demand Locker. It works as an “open or posi” differential until the driver activates the locker from inside the cab and locks up the differential via air pressure, electro magnet, electric motor, or by other means. By doing this it gives the exact same amount of torque to each wheel all the time and they will turn at the same speed.
Above: Auburn Gear's ECTED Selectable Electric Locker
Applications
Serious 4x4 enthusiasts who are into severe off-roading - eg. crossing from rock to rock with one or more wheels in the air or traveling through deep mud, muskeg, water, or swamps and still want to keep the factory handling when they are on paved roads should run a selectable locking differential.
Advantages
A selectable locking differential can be used in either the front or rear differentials. The driver has control over when to engage or disengage the locker from within the vehicle.
Brands We Carry
Cone Style Differential
Operation
The cone style differential works as a limited slip differential. The pretension springs firmly seat the tapered side gears to the case. During cornering the gear separating forces within the differential decreases and allows the outside gear to rotate independently.
Applications
Cone style differentials can be used for your daily driver, hot rods, muscle cars, high horsepower vehicles, 2WD trucks, and mild off road conditions.
Advantages
A cone style has less working parts and is capable of handling high horsepower.
Brands We Carry
