Rear Axle

[master_p]

Hello, I was under the truck tonight looking at the U bolts and suspension in the back and the axle felt a little too warm, almost hot. I had only driven the truck for less than 20 minutes and it was sitting for probably an hour before I started working on it. I was just wondering if that was normal or if its something that needs to get taken care of.

[TiTRD]

Can't hurt to change the fluid...

[willbchap]

If you don't have any obvious noises when you drive, you're just fine. It gets hot because the gear oil inside gets hot from the gears and other points of friction getting hot. This is why there is a little breather on the top of the axle. The oil inside gets so hot, it expands and contracts, needed to vent the pressure somewhere.

[trailtoy]

What he said.

[master_p]

Thanks for the info. I'll have the truck in the shop tomorrow. I finally got the lift put on, after several months of procrastination. Its a hell of a lot stiffer, stuff vibrates a LOT more and I need to replace the CV joints and all of the bullshit that goes along with that. Plus new rubber by this weekend.