The factory center differential uses only 2 spider gears, making it
one of the weakest links on the AWD transmission. The best way to
eliminate breakage is to upgrade it with a 4 spider center
differential, effectively doubling the load bearing surface and strength.
This upgrade requires the center differential
housing to be machined out to make room for the additional spider
gears and the 4 posts cross shaft. There are many ways to machine the
housing, we use a CNC mill. This gives the best accuracy so that the
spider gears are perfectly square to the side gears and the
finish is better than from the factory. TRE machines the housing to
leave as much material in the corners of the housing as possible in
order to maintain strength. Oil passageways are enlarged to provide
additional lubrication to the extra spider gears and the outer gear on
the housing is shot peened to increase the strength and to improve oil
retention which promotes longer life of the intermediate shaft primary
reduction gear.
Our 4 spider center differential uses a case hardened 4 post cross shaft. It's the cross shaft that we've been using
for the past 6 years without any failures. Our cross shaft features 4
equal length posts that all make contact with the center differential
housing. This doubles the loading surface and will eliminate the problem of
the center diff housing getting all beat up and the spider gears to
binding on the cross shaft. The cross shaft starts out as a forging that is machined, ground, heat
treated and finally shot peened for superior strength. Simply the
best. The spider
gearset is also
shot peened
and afterwards to eliminate any
chance of breakage or galling.
Afterwards, the parts are assembled with all new
shims, hardened & chromed spider gear washers and shimmed with a
Torrington bearing. Simply the best 4 spider you can buy.