Pumkin temperature?

[tbmopar74]

Just how hot is the rear-end pumpkin supposed to get? I just drove my '74 Charger about 10 miles, and when I got home (out of curiosity) I crawled under and checked it. It was too hot to hold my hand on it for longer than a few seconds. Is that normal temp? My car only has 40,000 miles on her, and I've never changed the rear-end grease. I bought her 5 yrs. ago, with 37,000 mi. on her.

 

[Dipstick]

I wouldn't be surprised to see normal temps of 200°F plus. A temp of 160°F will be uncomfortable to the touch.

 

[myk r sanchez]

I noticed that newer mustang's have a 'diff temperature monitoring feature. I can only guess that they can get pretty hot...

 

[khryslerkid]

Get yourself a inferred temperature gun. They're not that expensive and come in handy for all kinds of things. Checking bearings, which cylinders are firing or running lean, block and coolant temp, transmission temp and so on.

The normal temperature of the differential after a long run will average 120 degrees. I've seen 130 on a hot day. That's checking the center of the housing on the back.

 

[tbmopar74]

Thanks for your replies. I think I will change out the grease, since it sat for 30 yrs.

 

[Thrashingcows]

Too hot to touch after a 10 mile drive seems a little too hot IMO. Definitely change the gear oil if it has not been serviced in 30 years!!

 

[33 IMP]

I would suspect that it is almost dry. Enough fluid, even if it is old, will still act as coolant in a rear.

 

[dadsbee]

Mine was 145F today after a 25 mile highway run on a 90 F day.

 

[Ironbuilt]

I know that it's apples to oranges, but my Kenworth's normal operating range for drive axles is around 200 degrees. My Mopar doesn't have the luxury of rear end temp gauges and I have never climbed under there right after a cruise.