Axle vent/breather - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

400ex · 02-02-2005, 09:01 AM

After finding what looked like chocolate milk in my rear axle, I had the thing rebuilt only to notice that there was no vent or breather on the end of the hose connected to the axle housing.

I am trying to locate a good vent or breather to connect to the hose. But my question is about the vent itself. Is it a one way valve to let pressure out but not suck back in? Or is it just a regular air flows in both directions type.

What have you guys been using if yours needed replacement?
Suggest away.....

Thanks,

James

junkyardjohn · 02-02-2005, 12:13 PM

I USSUALLY USE A FUEL FILTER, ON THE END OF THE HOSE & ATTACHED TO THE BED CROSSMEMBER WITH A ZIP TIE. I CAN'T REALLY ANSWER THE BREATHING QUESTION FOR YA.

JOHN

da-burb · 02-02-2005, 01:32 PM

It is just open to the atmosphere. The cap snaps on and allows air to come and go as it pleases. The last one I needed came off a junk TH350. Same vent is on the top of the tranny.

badpeanut · 02-02-2005, 02:48 PM

The plastic caps da-burb mentioned are also available at GM. Just bring a piece of hose with you so you get the right size. Even my small local dealership stocks them (you don't need a part number). They cost more than I thought they should, but my truck didn't have one either when I bought it.

400ex · 02-02-2005, 03:52 PM

junkyard - I was thinking about using the plastic fuel filter also. Might do that if I can't find anything in my land o' junk.

burb and peanut - I never thought about about that. Good info.

I'll look around my stuff and see what I can find. If nothing I'll probably use junkyard's suggestion.

Thanks,

James

Americanrider · 02-02-2005, 04:12 PM

I've had the same problem with some Jeeps I've owned in the past, try running the vent hose a little further up into the frame works to keep it out of the rain spray. (It's real rainy here in the NW) The vent caps run about $1.25ea for a Jeep Dana 44. I like the idea of running a fuel filter since the standard vents caps do nothing to filter dust & sand.

4x4Poet · 02-03-2005, 05:46 AM

One of the best ideas I've heard is to run the axle vent line up the the top of the firewall and attach one of those clear plastic fuel filters so you can see at a glance whether the oil has reached that far. Attach a short length of hose to the other end of the filter and route it downward so water, dirt, etc can't pour or fall in from gravity. But this is more of a 4x4 idea for deep stream crossings. Probably overkill for a street only 2wd.

400ex · 02-03-2005, 09:42 AM

Just an update to what I did. Bought one of those clear plastic fuel filters and attached to a hose from the axle and tie wrapped it to a hole in the frame.

Should work pretty good. Keep water out of axle and hopefully even filter out dust with the element in the filter.

I can't figure out why the people at the O'reilly and AutoZone looked at me as if I was on crack when I asked if they stocked those vents. Most of the reaction was "I don't know what that is"

My fault I guess. Going to an auto parts store looking for a part for my truck..

James

02-02-2005, 09:01 AM	#1
400ex Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Damon, Tx Posts: 56	Axle vent/breather After finding what looked like chocolate milk in my rear axle, I had the thing rebuilt only to notice that there was no vent or breather on the end of the hose connected to the axle housing. I am trying to locate a good vent or breather to connect to the hose. But my question is about the vent itself. Is it a one way valve to let pressure out but not suck back in? Or is it just a regular air flows in both directions type. What have you guys been using if yours needed replacement? Suggest away..... Thanks, James

02-02-2005, 12:13 PM	#2
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	I USSUALLY USE A FUEL FILTER, ON THE END OF THE HOSE & ATTACHED TO THE BED CROSSMEMBER WITH A ZIP TIE. I CAN'T REALLY ANSWER THE BREATHING QUESTION FOR YA. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST Last edited by junkyardjohn; 02-02-2005 at 12:15 PM.

02-02-2005, 01:32 PM	#3
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	It is just open to the atmosphere. The cap snaps on and allows air to come and go as it pleases. The last one I needed came off a junk TH350. Same vent is on the top of the tranny. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

02-03-2005, 05:46 AM	#7
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	One of the best ideas I've heard is to run the axle vent line up the the top of the firewall and attach one of those clear plastic fuel filters so you can see at a glance whether the oil has reached that far. Attach a short length of hose to the other end of the filter and route it downward so water, dirt, etc can't pour or fall in from gravity. But this is more of a 4x4 idea for deep stream crossings. Probably overkill for a street only 2wd. __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup.

02-03-2005, 09:42 AM	#8
400ex Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Damon, Tx Posts: 56	Update Just an update to what I did. Bought one of those clear plastic fuel filters and attached to a hose from the axle and tie wrapped it to a hole in the frame. Should work pretty good. Keep water out of axle and hopefully even filter out dust with the element in the filter. I can't figure out why the people at the O'reilly and AutoZone looked at me as if I was on crack when I asked if they stocked those vents. Most of the reaction was "I don't know what that is" My fault I guess. Going to an auto parts store looking for a part for my truck.. James

02-02-2005, 02:48 PM	#4
badpeanut Not a bad nut after all.. Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: ND Posts: 1,756	The plastic caps da-burb mentioned are also available at GM. Just bring a piece of hose with you so you get the right size. Even my small local dealership stocks them (you don't need a part number). They cost more than I thought they should, but my truck didn't have one either when I bought it.

02-02-2005, 03:52 PM	#5
400ex Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Damon, Tx Posts: 56	junkyard - I was thinking about using the plastic fuel filter also. Might do that if I can't find anything in my land o' junk. burb and peanut - I never thought about about that. Good info. I'll look around my stuff and see what I can find. If nothing I'll probably use junkyard's suggestion. Thanks, James

02-02-2005, 04:12 PM	#6
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	I've had the same problem with some Jeeps I've owned in the past, try running the vent hose a little further up into the frame works to keep it out of the rain spray. (It's real rainy here in the NW) The vent caps run about $1.25ea for a Jeep Dana 44. I like the idea of running a fuel filter since the standard vents caps do nothing to filter dust & sand.



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