Causes of Differential Problems in a Jaguar

Posted on | 21 Mar 2018 By Anita Gaal

Owning a Jaguar is a luxury, where the driver gets to experience what it’s like to be behind the wheel of one of the most highly sought after vehicles in the world. Jaguars, however, aren’t immune to the same typical car issues that the average driver may experience—certainly without the proper level of ongoing care and maintenance. Although, caring for such a car without the guidance of a Jaguar specialist can be difficult, especially if you’re not a car enthusiast yourself.

One of the typical roadblocks that Jaguar vehicles run into is a problem with the rear differential. Unfortunately, Jaguars are known for their ingenuity in suspension, which is designed to give drivers an all around excellent experience in vehicle performance. This paradox in luxury vehicle design has left Jaguar drivers wondering how to tackle the issue of differential problems, especially considering Jaguar was one of the early pioneers in rear suspension components. Depending on the year and model Jaguar you drive, diagnosis and treatment may vary. It helps to have some basic background information about what a differential does in your Jaguar and the possible causes of its failure.

What does the differential in a Jaguar do?

A differential is part of the suspension in all vehicles. Its main purpose is to regulate how the wheels move and shift while turning in an effort to counterbalance the difference between the inner and outer wheel movements. Most, if not all, Jaguar vehicles have been designed with an independent rear suspension that includes a limited-slip differential, but have recently moved into other design territories. Stay tuned—we’ll talk a little more about the different types of differentials and their functions. Perhaps it is most important to note is that differentials require ongoing maintenance in order to perform optimally; essentially, the parts must be kept well oiled so that they don’t burn out too early.

Types of differentials

The different types of differentials in cars don’t all apply to Jaguar vehicles, but with the company’s shifts in design over the years and throughout the models, it helps to know the differences between various types of differentials to have a foundation of understanding about them. These are the two most common Jaguar differentials: limited-slip differential or a torque-vectoring differential—both of which have been used in Jaguar vehicles or other vehicles manufactured by Jaguar.

Potential causes of differential problems

Again, the causes of the differential problems you’re experiencing in your Jaguar will depend greatly upon the year and model Jaguar you drive—as they don’t all have the same type of rear differential. There are a few different potential causes of differential issues, and they usually have to do with the quality of the lubrication they’re getting.

Contaminated differential oil

Just as your car greatly depends on the motor oil it uses to properly lubricate the various parts of the engine, your differential in your Jaguar also utilizes differential oil to lubricate its various parts. Without clean, full differential oil, your differential can begin to wear earlier than anticipated, causing significant performance issues. The differential oil usually doesn’t need to be changed or filled as regularly as motor oil, however, if you notice signs of leakage, then you could be losing differential fluid.

Bad differential gasket

Most vehicle components that house fluid also entail the use of some kind of seal that keeps the oil inside the housing. The differential gasket is what keeps oil circulating throughout the differential, properly lubricating the gears. Usually when the differential gasket begins to fail or malfunction the driver will notice signs of leakage. Differential gaskets aren’t particularly difficult to replace, although the level of difficulty will depend upon the experience the Jaguar specialist has and the year and model of the car. It’s most important that you get these symptoms checked out before the problem worsens.

How we can help

The professionals here at Euro Automotive are especially skilled in working with European imports like Jaguar. In the areas surrounding Dallas, Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth, TX, Jaguar drivers travel to Euro Automotive to obtain our Jaguar-specialized services for their beloved vehicles. We know how special these cars are to their owners, and really to the entire automotive industry; therefore, we attend to every vehicle and client as if they were a part of our own family. If you think you might be experiencing differential issues in your Jaguar, please contact us today to schedule an inspection and diagnostic procedure.

* Jaguar XE image credit goes to: y_carfan.