COMPOSITE DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER HAVING CAGE-TYPE DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER FRAME MEMBER

摘要

A differential carrier, adapted to rotatably support a differential assembly and a final drive assembly, includes an integrally formed cage-type differential carrier frame member comprising a pair of axially spaced pinion support members for rotatably supporting a pinion drive shaft, a pair of laterally spaced opposite differential support members for rotatably supporting a differential case, at least one first arm member interconnecting the pinion support members, and at least two second arm members each interconnecting at least one of the pinion support members with one of the differential support members to thereby define a cage-type space frame of the differential carrier. The differential carrier frame member further comprises a continuous flange member integrally secured to the differential support members and defining a rear access opening in the differential carrier, and a mounting member for mounting the differential carrier to a vehicle sprung mass.