Differential having two-piece case split through planetary carrier wall

A differential assembly comprising:

• a planetary gear assembly having a plurality of planetary gears rotatably mounted on a corresponding plurality of planetary gear shafts;
• a first differential case portion having (i) a plurality of first planetary gear shaft mounting surfaces and (ii) a plurality of first pin mounting grooves;
• a second differential case portion, separately formed from the first differential case portion and having (i) a plurality of second planetary gear shaft mounting surfaces and (ii) a plurality of second pin mounting grooves;
• and
• a plurality of pins that are received by the plurality of first and second mounting grooves in an assembled position;
• wherein the first and second plurality of gear shaft mounting surfaces cooperate to mount the corresponding plurality of planetary gear shafts in the assembled position.

A differential assembly comprising:

• a planetary gear assembly having a plurality of planetary gears rotatably mounted on a corresponding plurality of planetary gear shafts;
• a first differential case portion having (i) a plurality of first planetary gear shaft mounting surfaces;
• (ii) a plurality of first pin mounting grooves and (iii) a first radial end surface;
• a second differential case portion, separately formed from the first differential case portion and having (i) a plurality of second planetary gear shaft mounting surfaces, (ii) a plurality of second pin mounting grooves and (iii) a second radial end surface;
• a plurality of pins;
• and
• a plurality of fasteners;
• wherein in an assembled position, (i) the plurality of pins are received by the plurality of first and second pin mounting grooves, (ii) the first and second plurality of gear shaft mounting surfaces cooperate to mount the corresponding plurality of planetary gear shafts and (iii) the first and second radial end surfaces align at a mating plane that intersects the plurality of planetary gears.