Front Differential vs Rear Differential

While it may seem confusing that some cars have a front differential and some have a rear differential, the answer lies in how your car is powered. A front-wheel-drive car has a differential on the front, while a rear-wheel-drive car has a differential in the back. It’s all about which wheels are turning, so whichever wheels turn, there’s most likely a differential there. We service both front and rear differentials, but your rear-wheel-drive vehicle will need rear differential service.

The Basics of Rear Differential Service

Your rear differential, as mentioned above, is a brilliant combination of gears and bearings that allow your wheels to travel different distances during a turn but still maintain the power from the engine in each wheel. This device needs a lubricant that can cool it, called differential fluid or gear oil, and that fluid can decay like all car fluids. Rear differential service most often involves changing the differential fluid, but there can be other problems as well that need attention, like leaks or part failure.

OEM Parts Keep Your Rear Differential Running Smoothly

We offer OEM parts for all our repairs, and we’re often asked what the difference is between an OEM part and an aftermarket part. OEM parts, which are directly from the manufacturer, are guaranteed and tested to the highest standards of performance and are the same parts the factory would put in your car when it was made. Aftermarket parts have no such guarantee and can lead to part failure or incompatibility that can damage your vehicle and void your warranty. We don’t want that for your rear differential, so we offer OEM parts in all our rear differential services.