magik235
Still Alive
I have a Dana 44 rear axle in my 1971 Jeep CJ5. It is not vented. Are there any problems with installing a vent in the differential cover instead of drilling and tapping the differential?
CK5
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Venting a Rear Axle Dana 44
- Thread starter magik235
- Start date
Well, the main problem would be with fluid splash I suppose. But why was the original vent removed?
It pretty much had to be vented when it was built, or you would not have been able to keep seals in it.
Most of those if I remember right, had the vent as part of the brake T on top of the axle tube.
If you still have that fitting on the tube, where the two brake lines split to each rear wheel, look at the top of it.
There should be a hole there that goes into the axle tube for a vent.
The fitting may be broken off.
Not uncommon.
It pretty much had to be vented when it was built, or you would not have been able to keep seals in it.
Most of those if I remember right, had the vent as part of the brake T on top of the axle tube.
If you still have that fitting on the tube, where the two brake lines split to each rear wheel, look at the top of it.
There should be a hole there that goes into the axle tube for a vent.
The fitting may be broken off.
Not uncommon.
As long as you do it way above the fluid level, you oughta be fine. The key is that the air inside the pumpkin doesn't build up pressure as it heats & cools. If the vent gets fluid in it, though, you'll be spewing out the vent which is bad.
Mind you, I'm not sure on the practicality of putting a hole in the diff cover -- depending on how thick it is even welding a threaded bung on could be tricky.
I'm with Fordum: I'd make dang sure you can't reuse/fix whatever the factory did before you go drilling into the cover.
-- A
Mind you, I'm not sure on the practicality of putting a hole in the diff cover -- depending on how thick it is even welding a threaded bung on could be tricky.
I'm with Fordum: I'd make dang sure you can't reuse/fix whatever the factory did before you go drilling into the cover.
-- A
magik235
Still Alive
I found the spot where the vent is supposed to be on the axle tube. Does the differential breathe through the axle vent? I have a small amount of oil weeping from the axle tubes when it is hot outside. I hate oil leaks so I am trying to eliminate them.
Dunno on a D44, but I know on my 10 bolt when the axle breather was plugged, it would push fluid out the diff cover under certain conditions.
I guess maybe the axle tube would have been chosen as a location to eliminate any gear oil making it's way into the vent from the gears whipping fluid around? With a long hose and vent cap though, that wouldn't be an issue.
I guess maybe the axle tube would have been chosen as a location to eliminate any gear oil making it's way into the vent from the gears whipping fluid around? With a long hose and vent cap though, that wouldn't be an issue.
