A vehicle differential , comprising: a housing having an interior wall ; a pinion shaft mounted in the housing ; a pinion gear mounted on the pinion shaft ; a first side gear within the housing and engaged with the pinion gear ; a second side gear within the housing and engaged with the pinion gear , a pinion gear washer received between the interior wall and the pinion gear , the washer having an axis , an outer edge at a maximum radial distance from the axis of the washer, an inner edge defining an opening through which the pinion shaft is received, the inner edge having an innermost portion at a minimum radial distance from the axis , and the washer further having an axially and radially inclined sidewall extending at least part of the way between the outer edge and the innermost portion , wherein the opening of the washer is not circular, with the inner edge defined in part by the innermost portion and the inner edge having an outward portion spaced radially outwardly from the innermost portion , wherein the pinion gear includes a beveled portion that leads to a central opening through which the pinion shaft is received, and wherein the washer also comprises a rim received adjacent to the beveled portion , and wherein the sidewall extends from a first sidewall end at the outer edge to a second sidewall end that is axially spaced from the outer edge and the rim extends from the second sidewall end to the inner edge , characterised in that the outer edge of the washer defines the periphery of the washer , and the rim is axially inclined so that the inner edge is axially between the first and second ends of the sidewall . a housing having an interior wall ; a pinion shaft mounted in the housing ; a pinion gear mounted on the pinion shaft ; a first side gear within the housing and engaged with the pinion gear ; a second side gear within the housing and engaged with the pinion gear , a pinion gear washer received between the interior wall and the pinion gear , the washer having an axis , an outer edge at a maximum radial distance from the axis of the washer, an inner edge defining an opening through which the pinion shaft is received, the inner edge having an innermost portion at a minimum radial distance from the axis , and the washer further having an axially and radially inclined sidewall extending at least part of the way between the outer edge and the innermost portion , wherein the opening of the washer is not circular, with the inner edge defined in part by the innermost portion and the inner edge having an outward portion spaced radially outwardly from the innermost portion , wherein the pinion gear includes a beveled portion that leads to a central opening through which the pinion shaft is received, and wherein the washer also comprises a rim received adjacent to the beveled portion , and wherein the sidewall extends from a first sidewall end at the outer edge to a second sidewall end that is axially spaced from the outer edge and the rim extends from the second sidewall end to the inner edge , characterised in that the outer edge of the washer defines the periphery of the washer , and the rim is axially inclined so that the inner edge is axially between the first and second ends of the sidewall . <EOS>