A differential gear mechanism comprising: a differential case defining first, second and third counterbores (72A, 72B, 72C) formed therearound, the differential case rotating around an axis of rotation; a first and a second side gear (20, 22) rotatably mounted within the differential case, the first and second side gears being co-axially aligned along the axis of rotation; a first, second and third pinion gear (40A, 40B 40C) mounted between the first and second side gears (20, 22), each of the first, second and third pinion gears being rotatably mounted on a respective cross-pin (30A, 30B, 30C), each cross-pin having a cylindrical pin body that extends between first and second ends (82, 84), the first, second and third pinion gears intermeshing with the first and second side gears to form a torque transfer arrangement configured for transferring torque between the pinion gears and the first and second side gears to rotate the first and second side gears about the axis of rotation; characterized in that the differential gear mechanism further comprises: a center block having a cylindrical block body that defines a first, second and third locating feature (94A, 94B, 94C) thereon, the center block disposed between the first and second side gears (20, 22); and wherein each first end of a respective cross-pin (30A, 30B, 30C) is received by a corresponding counterbore (72A, 72B, 72C) of the differential case and each second end is received by a corresponding locating feature (94A, 94B, 94C) of the center block, wherein the locating features (94A, 94B, 94C) in the center block are each defined in part by opposing side walls (96A, 96B, 96C) that oppose the respective second ends of the cross-pins (30A, 30B, 30C) in a keyed relationship. a differential case defining first, second and third counterbores (72A, 72B, 72C) formed therearound, the differential case rotating around an axis of rotation; a first and a second side gear (20, 22) rotatably mounted within the differential case, the first and second side gears being co-axially aligned along the axis of rotation; a first, second and third pinion gear (40A, 40B 40C) mounted between the first and second side gears (20, 22), each of the first, second and third pinion gears being rotatably mounted on a respective cross-pin (30A, 30B, 30C), each cross-pin having a cylindrical pin body that extends between first and second ends (82, 84), the first, second and third pinion gears intermeshing with the first and second side gears to form a torque transfer arrangement configured for transferring torque between the pinion gears and the first and second side gears to rotate the first and second side gears about the axis of rotation; characterized in that the differential gear mechanism further comprises: a center block having a cylindrical block body that defines a first, second and third locating feature (94A, 94B, 94C) thereon, the center block disposed between the first and second side gears (20, 22); and wherein each first end of a respective cross-pin (30A, 30B, 30C) is received by a corresponding counterbore (72A, 72B, 72C) of the differential case and each second end is received by a corresponding locating feature (94A, 94B, 94C) of the center block, wherein the locating features (94A, 94B, 94C) in the center block are each defined in part by opposing side walls (96A, 96B, 96C) that oppose the respective second ends of the cross-pins (30A, 30B, 30C) in a keyed relationship. a center block having a cylindrical block body that defines a first, second and third locating feature (94A, 94B, 94C) thereon, the center block disposed between the first and second side gears (20, 22); and wherein each first end of a respective cross-pin (30A, 30B, 30C) is received by a corresponding counterbore (72A, 72B, 72C) of the differential case and each second end is received by a corresponding locating feature (94A, 94B, 94C) of the center block, wherein the locating features (94A, 94B, 94C) in the center block are each defined in part by opposing side walls (96A, 96B, 96C) that oppose the respective second ends of the cross-pins (30A, 30B, 30C) in a keyed relationship.