Abstract: An exemplary device for distributing gear lubricant in a gear assembly housing of a vehicle includes a gear assembly housing having a sealed interior portion defined by a first housing and an second housing, the sealed interior portion containing a lubricant and enclosing a gear assembly having a gear rotatably mounted in the gear assembly housing that rotates through the lubricant and a reservoir housing secured to an upper portion of the first housing, the reservoir housing defining a reservoir fluidly connected to the sealed interior portion of the gear assembly housing and including an orifice fluidly connected to a gear assembly component, the orifice having a predetermined size for allowing the lubricant to flow to the gear assembly component. As the gear rotates, the gear transfers the lubricant to the reservoir.

Abstract: An axle assembly having a differential gear set is provided. The axle assembly includes a housing cover having a first surface. A housing is provided having an interior portion sized to receive the differential gear set. The housing includes an end with a second surface, the second surface sized and shaped to engage the first surface. The end has an opening that extends from the second surface into the interior portion. The housing further includes a cavity formed in the second surface, the cavity defining a labyrinth passageway that fluidly couples the interior portion and an ambient environment, at least a portion of the passageway being defined by the housing cover.