i have a 97 dodge ram 1500, and i was wondering, on the rear axle i know in use it should generate some heat. how hot should it get, should it be hot to the touch right after driving? the rear end has fluid in it but, it looks old and i plan on changing it. just wanted to know if (because of the temp) i should change it know or wait another 500 miles until motor oil change.

any info. is appreciated

 

about a thousand miles after i bought my truck, i checked the rear dif. oil to find that it was about dry due to a leak at the cover seal. It was hot to the touch, but never hot enough to concern me. I dont know how long it was near empty, but i didnt find any damage to gearing. Unless its low (cant feel it on your finger through the fill hole) or you have metal flaking (feels gritty) or chips in the oil, you ought to be able to run quite a while on it before changing, but dont forget about it. about the heat, if it doesnt burn your hand, i wouldnt worry about it.

 

Should be warm to touch, not burn your hand to touch, but warm. Ive had steam coming off mine in the winter, from the diff melting the snow on it. My mech's told me its normal.

 

thanks for the info i never paid attention to the temp, just made sure there was oil in it.