Differential Temps?
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Differential Temps?
I had a rear pinion seal replaced about a month ago because it was leaking.
Last night I get home and happen to look at the Diff, and it looked wet again. So I decided to clean up the diff to keep an eye for future signs of a leak.
The front of the diff (pinion end) was very hot. Hot enough I couldnt keep my hand on it longer then 10-15 sec. the back of the dif was warm like I would think it should be. But I have never felt the diff after a 30 mile trip @ 65mph?
Do you think the shop tightened the pinion nut to tight causing lots of friction?
What is normal temps for the diff?
Last night I get home and happen to look at the Diff, and it looked wet again. So I decided to clean up the diff to keep an eye for future signs of a leak.
The front of the diff (pinion end) was very hot. Hot enough I couldnt keep my hand on it longer then 10-15 sec. the back of the dif was warm like I would think it should be. But I have never felt the diff after a 30 mile trip @ 65mph?
Do you think the shop tightened the pinion nut to tight causing lots of friction?
What is normal temps for the diff?
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From: Long Island USA
The overall temp should be pretty much the same, the front pinion bearing shouldn't get TOO hot compared to the rest of the diff. It's getting constantly washed with diff fluid as you drive, so the temp should be pretty much the same all over.
With the tranny in neutral, and the parking brake on, get underneath and rotate the driveshaft by hand. It should only move a fraction of an inch back and forth, but what I'm looking for is how much resistance there is to the movement? Does it take a lot of force? Or is it pretty easy?
Then, get the rear wheels off the ground, take off the parking brake (do this on level ground and chock the wheels so it doesn't roll), and try rotating the driveshaft again, and see how it all feels. Lot of force required to turn it?
With the tranny in neutral, and the parking brake on, get underneath and rotate the driveshaft by hand. It should only move a fraction of an inch back and forth, but what I'm looking for is how much resistance there is to the movement? Does it take a lot of force? Or is it pretty easy?
Then, get the rear wheels off the ground, take off the parking brake (do this on level ground and chock the wheels so it doesn't roll), and try rotating the driveshaft again, and see how it all feels. Lot of force required to turn it?
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Ok, I did the try and move it in neutral, wheels on the ground. Moved a very little bit. Not much effort to get it to move the little bit. no noise other then the transfer case.
With wheels in the air in neutral, turned easy/same as before in forward, reverse was harder but not a struggle. Only noise was brake dragging on rotor.
Will check level of fluid tomarrow, flat ground/time needed. It is not leaking bad, less then last time.
Talked to shop who repaired it last time, and he said it may need a Jiffy seal? It goes back to them on Wednesday.
I have compared it to a 3500 dog after the same trip and the hand temp on the diff was about the same as my truck as memory serves me? So I locked the front hubs in about half way home tonight and checked it when I got home, it was not quite as warm as the rear diff, but close.
With wheels in the air in neutral, turned easy/same as before in forward, reverse was harder but not a struggle. Only noise was brake dragging on rotor.
Will check level of fluid tomarrow, flat ground/time needed. It is not leaking bad, less then last time.
Talked to shop who repaired it last time, and he said it may need a Jiffy seal? It goes back to them on Wednesday.
I have compared it to a 3500 dog after the same trip and the hand temp on the diff was about the same as my truck as memory serves me? So I locked the front hubs in about half way home tonight and checked it when I got home, it was not quite as warm as the rear diff, but close.
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
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From: Long Island USA
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