If your car has ever gotten stuck in the mud, you know how frustrating it can be. You may have even considered jacking up the car by the differential. But is this really a good idea?
Let’s take a closer look. Differentials are designed to transfer power from the engine to the wheels while allowing them to rotate at different speeds. This is essential for making turns.
However, jacking up a car by the differential can put stress on these components and cause damage. It’s also important to note that most cars have front-wheel drive, so jacking up the rear of the vehicle could actually make it more difficult to get unstuck. If you do decide to jack up your car by the differential, be sure to use caution and follow all safety instructions.
- If you need to jack up your car and don’t have a hydraulic lift or garage, it’s not as difficult as it may seem
- You can still do it by the differential
- This process is a little more involved, but if you’re careful, you can definitely do it yourself
- Here are the steps: 1
- Park your car on level ground and set the emergency brake
- You’ll also want to chock the wheels so the car doesn’t roll while you’re jacking it up
- Find something that you can use to jack up the car with
- A piece of wood or metal will work fine, as long as it’s strong enough to support the weight of the car
- Place this under the differential (the lowest part of the chassis)
- Slowly jack up the car until the tire is off of the ground
- Be sure to keep an eye on both sides of the vehicle to make sure they are lifted evenly; otherwise, you risk damaging your car’s suspension system
- Repeat steps 2-3 for each tire that needs to be off of the ground
What is a Differential
A differential is a gear train with three shafts that has the property of transmitting torque and rotation between two shafts while allowing them to rotate at different speeds. It is used in vehicle drivetrains to split the engine torque two ways, providing each driven wheel with a half share. The benefit of this design is that it allows each wheel to rotate at a different speed, which is necessary when negotiating corners.
The word “differential” generally refers to any device that can split something into two parts or more, but in automotive engineering, it specifically refers to the gear device found in the drivetrain. The differential helps balance the rotational speed of the inner and outer wheels as you turn a corner. When your car goes around a corner, the outer wheels have to travel farther than the inner wheels.
This means they have to rotate faster. If both wheels were rotating at the same speed, then one would slip or skid because its contact patch would be too small for all of its traction needs (think about how much harder it is to pedal your bike when you go around a sharp turn).
Differentials come in many forms—they can be open or closed; they may use gears, belts, chains, or clutches; and they may be simple or complex.
But their basic function remains the same: To allow two connected shafts to rotate independently while transferring power between them.
How Do You Jack Up a Car by the Differential
If your car has a solid front axle, you can jack it up by the differential. This is because the differential is connected to the frame of the car and is therefore very sturdy. You will need to use a floor jack and place it under the differential.
Make sure that the jack is secure before attempting to lift the car. If your car has a independent suspension, you cannot jack it up by the differential as it is not connected to the frame of the car.
Why Would You Want to Jack Up a Car by the Differential
If you need to raise one end of a car, the differential is a good place to jack it up. The differential is located between the wheels, and jacking up the car by the differential will raise both wheels at the same time. This can be helpful if you need to change a tire or work on something underneath the car.
What are the Benefits of Jacking Up a Car by the Differential
Differential jacking is a method of lifting a car by the differential. This type of jacking has several benefits over other methods, such as frame or suspension jacking. Differential jacking is faster and easier, and it also provides better support for the vehicle.
One of the main benefits of differential jacking is that it is much faster than other methods. It can take as little as 30 seconds to lift a car using this method, whereas it can take several minutes to lift a car using frame or suspension jacking. This makes differential jacking ideal for emergency situations where time is of the essence.
Another benefit of differential jacking is that it provides better support for the vehicle. When a car is lifted by the frame or suspension, there is always some risk that it will slip off the jack and come crashing down. This is not a concern with differential jacking, because the weight of the car is evenly distributed across the jack points.
This makes it much safer than other methods of lifting a vehicle.
Another drawback is that you need to have access to all four wheels in order to use this method, which may not be possible in some situations.
Jeep Commander Rear Differential Lifting Tutorial
Conclusion
If your car has a solid front axle, you can jack it up by the differential. This is a handy way to do it if you don’t have access to a lift. You’ll need to use a floor jack and two jack stands.
Place the floor jack under the differential and raise it until the tire is off the ground. Then, put a jack stand under each side of the differential and lower the floor jack. Your car should now be supported by the jack stands.
