Rear axle getting "HOT" on P.S.

[94 XL Ranger]

Rear axle getting HOT, to hot to touch, Just replaced wheel bearings and seals, Lucas 80W-90 gear oil. All new brake components on rear. 7.5 9 inch pads.
Does anyone have a clue what the problem may be?
Thank you

 

[Schnot]

Where is it getting hot exactly? Differential? Brakes?


Sent from my iPhone.

 

[94 XL Ranger]

The axle itself, took lug nuts off and wheel to see if i had a leak and the outter axle was hot

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

All new components including e-brake? I'm not a brake guru, my thought is dragging brakes. Perhaps wrong size components or sticking cable.

 

[PanamaExpat]

I agree with alwaysfloored... Hot axles usually are dragging brakes. Did you adjust them a bit too tight when you set it up?

 

[94 XL Ranger]

All components, including cables, E-Brake doesn't hold though. drum slid off no problem so not sure usually have to pry or bang off if sticking.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm not sure how this would cause hot, but are the shoes the right curve for the drum? There are different sized radius for shoes to fit a drum that has been turned.
Also perhaps a non-stock component like a residual valve that is too high in pressure?
Do you have a habit of riding the brakes? make sure your foot is on the floor if not intentionally braking.

 

[94 XL Ranger]

No not a brake rider, the drums are new Raybestos. Wheel cylinders new. Self adjuster kits, springs, brake bars, all out.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm leaning to the e-brake cable on that side. Perhaps the wrong one in the box from the store.

 

[PanamaExpat]

The e-brake setup on these trucks is a bit bizarre to begin with. So if you didn't get it just right or have the adjustment off a bit it could drag. The driver's side snugs up first then the cable pulls the passenger side. You didn't mention which side was getting hot.

 

[94 XL Ranger]

Passenger side is getting Hot

 

[PanamaExpat]

New cable? Or old one that may have been too close to the exhaust and the nylon liner inside melted and is causing the cable to bind.

Also if you didn't get the brake cables back together correctly there is a possibility that the passenger side is a bit too tight keeping the shoe slightly in contact with the drum.

How freely does everything spin with the back wheels off the ground?

In case you or other readers don't know how to adjust drum brakes:


If all else fails I suppose you could have a bearing failing ... But that just doesn't seem likely.

 

[shane96ranger]

Does the rear end hum at all? You may have to have someone ride back there to listen.

 

[naford]

Wouldn't the drum be hard to get off if the e brake was on all the time? What do you smell after you've driven it and it's hot? Does it smell like the brakes are burning? Raise the rear end and leave the wheels on. Spin the wheel and tell us what you feel and hear. Then try again with the wheels off. I'm wondering if there is a problem when you tighten the wheels on and doesn't show up when the wheels are off. Probably a weird brake drum. But hey I could be full of stuff.

 

[doorgunner]

I must have missed something......

You said the OUTTER end of the axle was hot......

Was the brake drum HOTTER than the outter axle?

It would seem the brake was dragging if the DRUM was hotter....

It would seem the axle bearing was bad if the AXLE itself was hotter.