| Author |
Message |
    
Rick Lindgren
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 08, 2002 - 01:28 pm: | 
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I am looking at extending the breather on my rear diff and heard several suggestions about routing up to the front with the other breather tubes. However, I was considering routing it up into the column behind the rear lights instead. I had the idea when I was routing the wiring for my trailer hitch down through the bottom of this column.
Initial thoughts:
The column is easily accessible from underneath.
It requires less exposed tubing on the undercarriage.
It goes up high enough that if I get water in the breather, I probably have more problems than that. 
It seems better sealed against dust and grime than the engine compartment.
Drawbacks:
I would have to re-route it if I install a snorkel later. But the column may go as high as a snorkel would anyway.
I don't know what the requirements are for access to "fresh" air for the breather tube.
I am largely automotive ignorant (but getting better) and could be setting myself up for a chain reaction of spewing hot oil, short circuited electronics, an electrical fire, followed by an agonizing trip to the hospital or some other dumb ass outcome.
Any input would be appreciated.
Rick |
Bill Bettridge (Billb)
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 08, 2002 - 02:24 pm: |
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Rick, If you mean inside the rearmost pillar - I'd think it would stink BAD in your truck! 90W isn't the world's most pleasant smell
Just a thought -
Bill |
Moe (Moe)
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 08, 2002 - 03:21 pm: |
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Rick, I extended my rear diff breather up into the rear piller as you suggest. It is very easy to do and I haven't noticed an oil odor--other odors yes, but not oil. |
Rick Lindgren
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 08, 2002 - 07:14 pm: |
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Bill and Matt,
Thanks for the input. I will probably give it a try. I have two kids so I'm used to strange smells coming from the back. On the upside, I can use them like a "canary in a coalmine". If they start to throw up or go unconscious I will know that I should try routing the breather somewhere else.
Rick |
Bruce
| | Posted on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 07:23 pm: |
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Mike Bauer and I routed our rig's front and back axle tubes to the engine firewall. The rear can be zip-tied along the frame channel free from harms way. We both used refrigerator water supply tubing, however, Mike's melted in the engine compartment, mine has been fine.
Within the pillar method, we avoided since I just did not want any possibilities of expelled oil within the body. |
Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d)
| | Posted on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 10:30 pm: |
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Rick - have you actually got water in the diff before? You can tell because the oil goes milky. I got water in my front one, but only because the tube was loose where it entered the axle.
Dean |
Mike B.
| | Posted on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 10:55 pm: |
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I replaced my axle breathers with air brake line from NAPA. It works great is has the exact same properties (as far as I can tell) as the original axle breather lines. They are very heat resistant. Best of all, I got all of the parts needed for under $15.00!
Thanks,
Mike B. |
Matt Milbrandt (95discovery)
| | Posted on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 08:15 am: |
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I also used air brake line. I used brass air brake fittings to make all the connections. I routed all the breather tubes into one line that ends up in the engine compartment.
Matt |
Rick Lindgren
| | Posted on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 11:01 am: |
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Dean, I haven't actually gotten water into the diffs yet. However, I live on the West side of Washington State and I'm finding myself going into deeper and deeper "puddles" so I thought I should do some preemptive modifications.
Matt and Mike, the air brake line sounds like a great idea. I have been delayed getting this set up and I'm going to NAPA today to look at what's available.
Thanks,
Rick |
Matt Milbrandt (95discovery)
| | Posted on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 12:25 pm: |
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You can most likely get the air brake line from a NAPA type place, but to get the actual air brake fittings I had to go to a Hydraulic Supply shop.
Matt |
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