Abstract: A method for manufacturing a gear, which may be utilized as a side gear in a vehicle differential, with the method including the steps of selecting a first billet of low carbon steel and producing an annular gear wheel therefrom, and selecting a second billet of low carbon steel and making an annular gear hub therefrom. The method further comprises the step of bonding the gear wheel to the gear hub. Both the producing and making steps may comprise the step of forging a gear wheel and gear hub, respectively, near net forming the hub and wheel, or net forming the hub and wheel. The step of joining may be accomplished by laser welding or alternatively, by applying adhesives to mating surfaces of the hub and wheel. Due to the use of separate billets of low carbon steel to produce or make the wheel and hub, the wheel and hub may be made of different materials.