Method and apparatus for lubricating a differential in an axle assembly

An axle assembly comprising:

• a carrier housing assembly that defines a cavity;
• a differential housing received in the cavity;
• first and second bearings disposed between the carrier housing and the differential housing, the first and second bearings supporting the differential housing for rotation about a first axis;
• a differential gear set received in the differential housing;
• a ring gear coupled to the differential housing;
• a pinion received in the cavity and supported for rotation about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis;
• and
• a lubricant received in the cavity;
• wherein the first bearing includes an outer race, an inner race and a plurality of rollers between the outer race and the inner race;
• wherein a lubricant reservoir is formed by at least one of the outer race and the carrier housing, the lubricant reservoir being disposed on a first side of the first bearing opposite the differential gear set, the lubricant reservoir extending at least partially about the first bearing and collecting a first portion of the lubricant therein;
• and
• wherein an oil gallery is formed through the differential housing;
• and
• wherein the first portion of the lubricant is moved by the first bearing when the differential housing is rotating about the first axis such that the first portion of the lubricant flows through the first bearing and into the oil gallery.