Abstract: A self-loading limited slip differential is disclosed including differential pinion and side gears having conical back surfaces, and torque-responsive wedge means operable by said pinion gears for applying frictional torque bias to the driven shafts via the side gears. The wedge means includes conical wedge elements that are displaced inwardly by the pinion gears upon the application of torque to the differential casing to force the side gears apart into frictional engagement with corresponding conical portions of the wall surfaces of the differential casing.

Abstract: A self-loading limited slip differential is disclosed including at least two concentric layers of pairs of generally semi-spherical shells for applying friction torque bias to the driven shafts via the side and planetary gears of the differential gearing assembly. The shells of one layer are rotatably mounted on the planetary pinion shafts, respectively, and the shells of the other layer are non-rotatably connected with the driven shafts, respectively, said shells being compressed together as the side and planetary pinion gears are displaced apart upon the application of torque to the differential casing. In an alternate embodiment, in order to increase the friction torque bias, an additional pair of concentric layers of shell pairs are mounted concentrically upon the first two shell layers.