Shifterati

Glossary · Drivetrain

locking rear differential

Also called locker, rear locker, locking differential

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

A differential that can lock both wheels on an axle together, so the one with grip keeps turning when the other has none.

The story

History: facts, each with its source

AutoGuide says an open differential lets each wheel turn at its own speed, for smooth turns on the road, but sends more power to a wheel that has lost traction. A locking differential locks the left and right wheels together so they turn at the same speed.1

Chevrolet says locking the wheels of an axle together can help off road when one wheel is in the air, since torque goes to the tire that has grip.2

Found on

Every generation on the site whose dossier names it

Sources

  1. AutoGuide (lockers)
  2. Chevrolet (locking differentials)