Community Forums

Foster15 · 08-06-2019, 07:44 AM

I have a 2019 Cascadia 113 tandem axel Classic. The diff temps run approx 180 degrees which book indicates is normal but all four rear outside wheels are running very hot to touch (inside may be, too).

Is this normal? The vehicle supposedly has automatic slack adjuster.

Ray,IN · 08-07-2019, 05:11 AM

Is diff oil level at bottom of fill hole, or may it be touched with your finger tip? If not, fill it to bottom of fill hole.
There is a slight possibility an air leak is causing the rear spring brakes to drag. Were this my unit, I would have the dealer check it out under warranty, the rears rims should be no warmer than the fronts.

sirtate · 08-08-2019, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foster15

I have a 2019 Cascadia 113 tandem axel Classic. The diff temps run approx 180 degrees which book indicates is normal but all four rear outside wheels are running very hot to touch (inside may be, too).

Is this normal? The vehicle supposedly has automatic slack adjuster.

Do you mean the wheels on both drive axles?

Or just the rear drive axle?

If the hubs on both drive axles are warm, but about the same, that's ok.

I drive 18 wheelers, the drive hubs after a couple of hours at highway speeds should be hot to the touch. (Like the outside of a coffee cup)

If one is hotter than the others, something is out of whack...

dcgettinby · 08-09-2019, 07:17 AM

To be clear, rear wheel temperatures will always be warmer than front wheel temperatures on your Cascadia.

The reason for this is that the rear wheels are driven and the fronts are not. Energy applied to the drive axle(s) is never 100% efficient. This inefficiency shows up as "waste" heat and that "waste" heat transfers from the rear differential gears to heat the differential fluid, the rear axle housing, the axle hubs, and ultimately, the rear axle wheels.

All of that said, the difference between the front wheel temperatures and the rear wheel temperatures can and does vary depending on a bunch of conditions (i.e., how fast you are driving, how much you are climbing, how heavy you are loaded, etc.).

The key to all of this is to look for temperature discrepancies. Specifically, after some allowance for sunny side vs shady side of your rig, both front wheels should be about the same temperature. Same is true for the rears, realizing that the rears will be somewhat warmer than the fronts. The hand test may be better than nothing, but a non-contact temperature sensor is far better. Simply walk around your rig after you stop and "shoot" each wheel with your sensor, then you will know if one or more wheels is out of whack. Hope this helps.

Foster15 · 08-09-2019, 12:34 PM

Thanks for all your responses. We are taking a 200 mile trip next week. I will monitor temps on all rear wheels using a heat sensor. I will then have actual temps to discuss with Freightliner service center.