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Diesel Engines and Racing

Nearly every conceivable version of the internal combustion engine has made its way to the Indy 500. But it was a 1931 entry of a rather unusual type that made it into the record books as the first to complete the entire 500-mile race without a pit stop. That entry...

Recovering A/C Refrigerant-ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

Description Technician A is preparing to recover the refrigerant from a customer’s vehicle. All of the below are steps he should take when performing this service EXCEPT: A) Test for the presence of sealant in the vehicle systemB) Identify the type of refrigerant the...

Is It Ever Safe to Reuse Torque-to-Yield (TTY) Fasteners? (VIDEO)

Description Torque-to-yield fasteners are designed to deform during installation to ensure a secure connection. If a TTY fastener looks to be in good shape after removal, can it be reused? Pete Meier explains why these single-use bolts should always be replaced for...

Do You Survey Your Customers, and How?

Recently, I had the opportunity to take my car to a body shop (it’s a long story). Once the work was done and I was checking out, the office manager mentioned to me that they would be sending me a customer satisfaction survey and encouraged me to fill it out. Then she...

Interpreting Compression Tests–ASE Practice Questions (VIDEO)

Description Technician A has just completed a running compression test using a mechanical compression gauge. Technician B says that the test is used to check the volumetric efficiency of the engine. Technician A says that the higher-than-expected readings indicate a...

Do I Need a Tune-up?

If you’re like me, you might cringe a little. More often than not, they’re hoping this magical procedure will fix some mysterious issue with their car. But let’s break it down: what is a tune-up, anyway? Most dictionaries describe a tune-up as “a general adjustment to...

The best explanation of a differential is from 1937

by | Apr 25, 2024

The first time I saw this video, I was hooked because I’m natively a bike guy and it starts off with motorcycle stunt riding. But the guys horsing around on those ol’ Harley VLs actually are the producer’s interesting and educational way to visually demonstrate why a differential is necessary in any two-track vehicle. Here, take a look-see.

This video sucked me in beyond the bikes, though. Being a video guy—man, this production value is through the roof. Many camera angles, beautiful cutting, on-screen graphics—this is some pretty heady stuff. Heck, the Wizard of Oz didn’t even have its famous scene in color until 1939! I mean, they are literally using horse-drawn wagons that people at that time might have been more familiar with to illustrate the theory of operation. They even built a special vehicle interior to illustrate why low-pinion driveshafts came about.

The other reason I love this video (and you will, if you turn wrenches or sell parts for your daily bread) is that it is so good. Forget about the age of the vehicle; the explanation and illustration is easy to understand and it’s still totally relevant.

Sure, nowadays we have portal axles, LSDs, (and simulated LSDs by way of four-channel ABS), but if you started at this video, all those concepts are pretty easy to understand.

Enjoy it. And maybe invite the up-and-coming C-tech or your current lube bay jockey to take a peek, too—they’re likely the ones who will benefit most.

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