Extended differential output gear

An extended differential output gear, comprising:

• a gear body portion comprising:
• an outer gear portion;
• and
• an inner spline portion at least partially overlapping the outer gear portion in a radial direction;
• and
• a tubular portion extending axially from the inner spline portion, the tubular portion comprising:
• a thicker portion adjacent to the inner spline portion;
• a thinner portion adjacent to the thicker portion;
• and
• a stepped tube pressed onto the thinner portion, the stepped tube comprising a speed sensor target.

An axle assembly, comprising:

• an axle housing;
• a differential assembly disposed in the axle housing, the differential assembly comprising:
• a housing;
• a first extended differential output gear disposed in the housing and comprising a speed sensor target;
• and
• a second extended differential output gear disposed in the housing and coaxial with the first extended differential output gear, each of the first extended differential output gear and the second extended differential output gear comprising:
• a gear body portion comprising:
• an outer gear portion;
• and
• an inner spline portion at least partially overlapping the outer gear portion in a radial direction;
• and
• a tubular portion extending axially from the inner spline portion;
• and
• a speed sensor disposed in the axle housing and aligned with the speed sensor target.