Drive Wheels

[jthailer]

Did a search and couldn't find an answer.

How is power transmitted from the transmission to the wheels on a 986? I am assuming my 986 does not have a limited slip differential, so is only one wheel engaged at a time, and how does the transmission determine which wheel to drive?

I know this is a basic question, but it is driving me crazy not knowing how this works.

Edited August 11, 2010 by jthailer

[autodoctor911]

your Porshche has what is known as an open differential. power from the transmission output shaft/pinion gear is transferred to a ringgear which turns a differential case the case contains a shaft going thtough it with two spider gears on it and two side gears that are on the stub axle/ drive flanges which extend into the differential case. the ring gear turns the whole case ans the pinion(spider gear)shaft with it. as long as all wheels have enough grip to where the torque applied does not exceed the available grip, both wheels recieve equal torque. If torque exceeds available grip at either wheel the wheel that looses grip will begin to spin, and all torque will be transferre to it. but the traction control will apply the brake on this wheel to transfer torque to the other side.

[jthailer]

I went on Howstuffworks.com and they had a very good explaination. I think I understand now.

Interesting that the traction control seems to act like a limited slip differential.

Thanks for the reply.