Abstract: A vehicle differential unit in which an input or drive pinion is mounted on a shaft which is supported on two axially spaced bearing assemblies carried by a housing which encloses the unit. The housing is provided with first and second apertures, the second aperture, which is provided with a detachable cover, being of sufficient size to pass the drive pinion and the first aperture not allowing the passage therethrough of the drive pinion. A first bearing assembly, which is supported in the first aperture, supports a first end portion of the shaft with which a vehicle drive shaft is normally associated and a second bearing assembly, located on the other side of the drive pinion from the first bearing assembly, supports a second end portion of the shaft which is located within the housing adjacent a crown wheel of the differential unit.