Patent ID: 8460148

Claim:
A differential, comprising: a side gear comprising a helical face gear, wherein the side gear rotates around a differential axis; a helical pinion configured for meshing engagement with the side gear, the helical pinion being rotatable about a rotational axis and having a first end surface and a second end surface opposing the first end surface, wherein the first and second end surfaces are generally perpendicular to the rotational axis; a pinion housing configured to house the helical pinion, the pinion housing comprising a generally annular ring and including: an outer radial surface; an inner radial surface; and an aperture extending radially inwardly from the outer radial surface; and a first support member configured to support the helical pinion, wherein the first support member has an outer surface and is disposed radially inwardly relative to the inner radial surface of the pinion housing, and wherein the first end surface of the helical pinion abuts the outer surface of the first support member.