Differential having compact bevel cross shaft retention using case bolts and adjacent shafts

A differential gear mechanism comprising:

• a differential casing defining first and second output shaft openings that are co-axially aligned along an axis of rotation of the differential casing, the differential casing having a first case housing portion and a second case housing portion, the first and second case housing portions coupled together with a plurality of fasteners;
• a first and a second side gear rotatably mounted within the differential casing, the first and second side gears being co-axially aligned along the axis of rotation of the differential casing, the first side gear defining a first shaft opening configured to provide a first torque transmitting connection with a first output shaft received within the first output shaft opening, the second side gear defining a second output shaft opening configured to provide a second torque transmitting connection with a second output shaft received within the second output shaft opening;
• a plurality of pinion gears mounted between the first and second side gears, each of the plurality of pinion gears being rotatably mounted on a respective pinion gear shaft, each pinion gear shaft having first and second ends, the plurality of pinion gears intermeshing with the first and second side gears to form a torque transfer arrangement configured for transferring torque between the pinion gears and the first and second side gears to rotate the first and second side gears about the axis of rotation, the torque transfer arrangement also being configured for allowing the first and second side gears to rotate at different rotational speeds with respect to one another about the axis of rotation;
• and
• wherein the first end of each pinion gear shaft is aligned with a fastener of the plurality of fasteners such that radial movement of the respective pinion gear shafts is inhibited by contact with a corresponding fastener of the plurality of fasteners.