Hello, I re bearinged my 8.8 rear last year, both pinion and carrier bearings, now I hear a slight growly bearing like noise when I'm rolling to a stop, can't hear it above 4 or 5 mph. I put my hand on the pumpkin housing right after driving 20 plus miles, it's really warm almost hot, like I can put my hand on it but gets uncomfortably hot after a few seconds. How hot should a normal rear end get , or maybe my preload was to tight. Been running it for a year , but never touched it right after long drive.
Sorryfor long post. Thanks.

 

On an 85* ambient temperature day my Navigator (9.75 rear) towed the boat 240 miles and when I pulled in the driveway I zapped the rear pumpkin with my Raytek gun and it read 140*.

 

Well, maybe the heat is ok, could be a wheel bearing noise I'm hearing

 

It sounds like it may be a little tight and is generating a little heat but having been driving it for a year without major problems you are probably okay. It really shouldn't get hot with normal driving and no towing or heavy load so I think you're borderline tight in your set-up. Are you using the factory recommended synthetic gear oil?

 

See if you have a parking brake brake dragging a bit. Sometimes corroded cables will cause them not to release fully and they'll grumble/chatter at low speed.