Posted by Alan Bowes on September 28, 1997 at 11:49:37:
In Reply to: Hot Pumpkin...and it ain't even Halloween posted by Jim Ferguson on September 27, 1997 at 19:35:31:
: I am the owner of a '53 M-37, and right after I bought the truck, I noticed that my rear-end was very hot to the touch. I have not driven the truck since (had/have motor work to do as well). I was wondering if anyone had any clues as to what is causing this. The differential had plenty of dope in it. Thanks in advance.
: Jim
Well, it depends on what you mean by "hot," since they'll always develop some heat. Drain the old lube out and check it for metal particles. Swish a magnet through the oil. You'll always get a few particles, so don't panic, but if you see a good buildup on the magnet, you should pull the carrier and have a close look. Also check the condition of the oil. If it's kind of a milky brown, it almost certainly has water mixed with it in a colloidal suspension, in which case who knows what that may have done. Fortunately, a banjo-type rear end is easy to work on, since you can put the whole carrier assembly on a bench to work on it. If there aren't many metal particles, and the rear end doesn't make any whining (or other) noises, I'd suggest replacing the lube with a good synthetic gear lube and see if it makes any difference. If there is a noticeable reduction in temperature, then you might be OK. Water is a frequently seen problem...not just from fording streams, but from condensation. This varies with where the unit was stored and in what kind of climate. Water in oil causes rapid wear on all components, not to mention pitting and corrosion and excess heat.
Alan