Is it normal for a new set of gears to run hot the first few times you drive the car? They're Richmond 3.23's. The gears and bearings are set up correctly. My son drove the car about 10 miles after we installed the new gears, to start the 'break-in' process, and when we got back the rearend housing was hotter than I expected it to be. Is this normal for the first drive on a new set of gears? Thanks.

Mark

I think they tell you they will be hot the first couple of drives. I think they recommend that you drive something like 20 or 30 miles than let them cool down, then repeat that procedure one or two more times. Then after a couple 100 miles, to change the gear oil.

Thanks for the reply. I've never run a set of brand spanking new gears. The housing was pretty dang warm to the touch. Just seemed like it was too hot for a simple 10 mile drive. I know the break-in instructions mentioned 'cool down time' but it didn't say anything about how hot they would get. I'll keep an eye on it the next couple times he drives it. Thanks

Mark

I think they tell you they will be hot the first couple of drives. I think they recommend that you drive something like 20 or 30 miles than let them cool down, then repeat that procedure one or two more times. Then after a couple 100 miles, to change the gear oil.

This is correct. Also NO HARD LAUNCHES!

The housing will be too hot to lay your hand on. This is normal. Just take it easy for the first few times that you drive it and let the oil cool between drives.

I had a trans temp gauge and a oil temp gauge in the rear axle on my last truck. While towing my boat in the summer to my suprise the rear axle would run just as hot or hotter than the auto. trans.

I had a trans temp gauge and a oil temp gauge in the rear axle on my last truck. While towing my boat in the summer to my suprise the rear axle would run just as hot or hotter than the auto. trans.
Rear axle is hotter because the gears are hypoid, they slip/slide as they mate rather than rolling against each other as in the trans.

Also, rear axle has one set of gears transferring torque, whereas the trans has at least three planetary gears per gear splitting/transferring the torque.

Thanks for the info. guys. I was just a bit concerned being that it was my first rearend gear install. I told my son to take it easy for the rest of the week. I haven't noticed any new double black stripes on our road, so I guess he hasn't done any 'hard launches' yet. :D

Mark