Hot pinion

[Fishhook240]

Could someone tell me how hot should the rear end should get right around the pinion area. Just installed new bearings/races and set the preload around 35 in/lbs (That was all the shims I had to play with) The rear under normal driving is getting around 165 degrees around the pinion area (Drove approx. 50 miles). I know specs say the preload on a Dana 80 pinion should be between 20-40 in/lbs so I know I/m at the tighter end of the scale but I;m worried the it might be getting to hot. Does anybody have a answer or suggestion Thanks for any help

1999 f350 early drw Dana 80 LS

[Fulltime]

I set mine at the tighter end of the specs and the pinion was getting hot. After a few years the pinion became loose and I am now in the process of replacing the pinion bearins and will reset the preload. Not sure why the pinion became loose. The bearing seem ok but I will change them just to be sure. I don't think the nut came loose but something caused it to loosen up.

[RatherBNtheWoods]

I've measured mine at up to 140F with my IR thermo gizmo that I use to check tires. But that was during a heavy tow, 18K lb fiver with a 2500lb daihatsu behind it, in the hot July summer in south central hell, err Texas. 165 after a 50 mile trip seems pretty high. Was this right after the build? Or after some miles. It will run hotter for the first 100 - 200 miles.

[Fulltime]

Mine has been hot ever since the rebuild but I never measured the temp. It was almost to hot to touch.

[sniper_101]

Mine get's very hot as well, stock axle and everything (3.73's and factory/terrible Limited Slip). In the winter I can throw a hand-full of snow on it and it'll melt and steam quite quickly, very warm to the touch.

I just forgot about it for now, but mine does desperately need a fluid change so that is a contributing factor.