8.8 axle bearing question

[Raydar71]

2000 Explorer with 150k miles.

Noticed that the rear hubs are getting pretty warm. Thought it was the rear pads dragging, so I went through the rear brakes. No change.

Then I got to thinking. ( a dangerous thing)

Another project is replacing the front seal on the rear as it's leaking. Are the rear bearings cooled/wet from the rear end fluid? If so, could low fluid levels be what's going on?

Or am I barking up the wrong tree and it's something simple like the parking brakes dragging?

 

[rb142]

Yes, the bearings are lubricated by gear oil in the rear end and axle tubes. If the pinion has been leaking long enough, the axle tubes could be empty and the bearings will burn up.

Where is the heat coming from. Feel around with your hand. If the end of the axle tube is the hottest part, it probably is the bearings. (But you would probably hear them by now if they were bad.) It should be pretty obvious if the brakes are dragging. Are the shoes worn? Spin the wheel by hand and see how hard it is to turn/

 

[jmdirk]

Take the fill plug out of the diff and check the level. Should be full right up to the drain plug hole. when you pu tthe rear up on jack stand and spin the wheels, how easily does it turn? Any noise?

Rear bearings aren't expensive, but they are a pain to change. You have to drain the diff, remove the C-clips on the axles shafts, pull the axles shafts and then you can get at the seals and bearings.

 

[Raydar71]

Thanks for the input, guys.

Tracked down my heating issue. Turns out the parking brakes were dragging. Replaced the pads and hardware, made sure the levers are moving freely, and things are just peachy.

Looks like axle seals were replaced recently and there's no slop in the bearing.

Off to the next project on this thing.