The only gears are the ring and pinion itself which is not even part of the differential and the spider gears inside the diff. The spider gears are probably what you saw. The clutch pack is inside the carrier housing, you don't see them unless you take it apart. If it had no clutches, then you would have the "open diff" or one legged dog. It is the clutches and associated springs that allow the two axles to engage together thru the carrier. All LS diffs have some sort of union thru clutches, cones, or planetary gears. The friction modifier additive is what allows the clutches to work, remember, they are bathed in lubricant; ever try to make something slippery stick????...........