Products › Diff Centres

Diff Centres

Driveline Services Australia imports, exports, repairs and supplies a wide range of diff centres, parts and services. Differentials (diffs) are responsible for dividing engine power and providing freedom of movement to the driven wheels. Diffs are high-precision assemblies, so small imperfections, defects and damage can significantly reduce efficiency and lifespan.

The team at Driveline has more than 40 years of experience in some of Australia’s harshest environments. Our diff centres, parts and services are hard at work in industries such as mining, manufacturing, on- and off-road transport, materials handling and beyond. Whatever the application, our extensive network of international OEMs and aftermarket manufacturers allows us to provide tailored solutions. If you need to upgrade drivetrain components, service machinery, repair damage or require a complete diff centre exchange service, Driveline is equipped to help.

Contact us today to explore our catalogue of diff parts and kits, or talk to us about our repair, replacement and rebuild services.

Driveline are Australia’s Diff Specialists

The team at Driveline are Australia’s leading underbody and powertrain experts. We have more than 40 years of experience in servicing, repairing, rebuilding and replacing powertrain components, including diffs. This allows us to provide a comprehensive range of services to clients across the country.

Driveline’s diff specialists can provide a solution for applications such as:

Mining vehicles and equipment
Industrial vehicles and equipment
Commercial vehicles and equipment
On- and off-road trucks
Materials handling equipment
Light fleet vehicles
4WDs and passenger vehicles
Performance vehicles
Defence vehicles
Agriculture and harvesting equipment

We partner with OEMs such as Meritor, Neapco, Dana Spicer, Carraro, Kessler & Co, Sonnax and more. The support of our network allows us to service vehicles and diff repairs from all manufacturers active in the Asia-Pacific region.

If you operate on- and off-road trucks, 4WD, light vehicle and passenger fleets, industrial and agricultural equipment, or custom vehicles, our diff specialists can provide a complete solution.

Heavy Duty Diff Centres and Parts

Australia is full of harsh environments that demand more from underbody and drivetrain components. Upgrading diff components is an excellent way to increase equipment lifespan, reduce costs and improve the performance of vehicles and machinery.

Driveline offers a variety of quality and heavy-duty diff centre, parts and rebuild kits sourced from our international suppliers. We work with OEMs and aftermarket manufacturers to supply heavy-duty components that are designed for hard use in outback conditions.

Heavy-duty diffs are produced from toughened materials that are highly resistant to large loads and damage from general wear and tear.
We have access to an extensive catalogue of heavy-duty diff assemblies and parts, as well as associated components such as axles and driveshafts. This allows the Driveline team to supply, install and maintain complete drivetrain solutions that are ready for any use you can imagine.

Complete Diff Centres

Got a question, feedback or an enquiry? We’re keen to hear it.

Diff Repairs, Servicing, Rebuilds and Replacement

In addition to our diff centres and parts, Driveline provides a complete range of diff repairs, rebuilds, replacements and servicing.

Diff gear sets are manufactured to tight tolerances. Normal use, road damage, corrosion and a lack of grease can all impact the performance and lifespan of your diffs. When that happens, Driveline can provide diff repairs and return your components to factory specification.

Driveline’s workshop services include diff straightening, gear repairs, replacement parts, housing repairs, metal reclamation and complete rebuilds.

As an experienced manufacturer, Driveline is equipped to repair most types of damage to diff housings, gears and pinions. With low temperature metal reclamation technology, we can restore corroded or damaged surfaces and remanufacture them to original specification.

If we are unable to repair diff parts, we can source OE or aftermarket replacements for a complete rebuild. Rebuilds are performed by our diff specialists who work to exacting standards. All rebuilt diffs are bench tested, and we are equipped to computer balance components where repairs were made.

Diff Centres - FAQs

How do I know if I have a bad diff?

Differentials (diffs) are responsible for distributing engine power to the driven wheels. Some of the common signs of a bad diff include:

Difficulty steering (e.g. pulling to one side, loose steering)

Clunking or grinding noises while driving

“Howling” noises while driving

Excessive wear on tyres

Vibration, especially during acceleration

Oil leaks from the differential

Diffs wear out during normal use, and they can also be damaged by things like off-roading, knocks against the ground, and minor collisions. It’s important to have diff specialists assess your vehicle if you notice any of the above symptoms. We recommend booking an inspection and any diff repairs with Driveline Services Australia as soon as possible.

What does a failing diff feel like?

A failing diff often makes clunking or howling noises, and it can make your vehicle vibrate and be difficult to steer while driving. The gears inside diffs are very precise, and small amounts of wear and tear can affect performance. That means it can be difficult to “feel” excessive amounts of backlash in a diff without a micrometer. You will need to have your vehicle looked at by an underbody specialist if you are concerned. Our specialists can remove the rear cover and test the backlash and mesh patterns of the gear set to identify wear or damage. If necessary, we can perform most diff repairs at an automotive workshop around Australia.

What is a diff ratio?

The diff ratio determines how many times the drive shaft needs to spin in order to turn the wheels through one full rotation. For instance, a diff ratio of 4:1 means the drive shaft needs to turn 4 times to rotate the wheels 1 time. This ratio is denoted as the number of teeth on the ring gear, divided by the number of teeth on the pinion. Diff ratios have a major impact on top speed, fuel consumption, handling and the availability of engine power (torque).

How does the diff affect the overall vehicle torque and power?

Differentials simply distribute power from the engine and do not affect the overall torque and power of a vehicle. However, the diff ratio changes how much power is available. Diffs with a higher ratio provide better torque and acceleration. Diffs with lower ratios allow for higher top speeds and lower fuel consumption. Diffs with lower ratios (e.g. 4.11:1) provide more torque for things like off-roading and driving on rough surfaces. Diffs with higher ratios (e.g 3.5:1) allow vehicles to reach higher speeds and consume less fuel, which is useful for passenger cars.

Where is the diff located under my car?

The diff is located in the front or rear axle assembly that connects the driven wheels on your vehicle. Vehicles with more than one set of driven wheels (such as 4WD and AWD cars) typically have one diff for each set of drive wheels. Four-wheel drives have two differentials, one between the front wheels, and one between the rear wheels. This allows power to be distributed evenly between the front and rear axles, which is an advantage when driving on soft surfaces such as sand and mud. Many 4WDs also feature a third, central diff, similar to AWD vehicles. All-wheel drive cars have a third differential located between the front and rear axle assemblies. This centre diff allows the front and rear wheels to rotate at different speeds, which is an advantage on rough roads or in slippery conditions. Front-wheel drive vehicles usually don’t have a diff. Instead, they use a transaxle which combines the functions of a diff and transmission to deliver power to the wheels while allowing them to turn at different speeds.