Axle Tube Vent Question

S

sdecker

New member
This is as basic as it gets but hey this is the basic tech section right?

I just got back from doing the foryce creek trail and noticed that after just a few water crossings I had a ton of water in the rear axle. I see that there is a hole on the drivers side by the spring perch. I also see that there is a bolt going into the drivers side axle tube in a similar location as where the brake line attaches on the passenger side tube.

If I weld up the hole by the spring perch can I take that drivers side axle tube bolt bolt out and put a vent there? Are there other things you guys have done to vent the axle and keep water out?

Thanks

shawn
 
Welcome to the crew shawn!

I usta haul sail boats (under 28ft.) as a side business. Hadda telescoping tongue trailer with adjustable bunks that had to be deeply submerged to float on full keel boats using typical public boat ramps.

Consequently my tow rig (f350 Ford w/d70) had to also be submerged at times up to point that water would come through the doors. Lake water would be literally sucked through those axle vents you mentioned due to the temperature differential of the water vs. The hot axle/brakes.

So I'd drill and tap that "hole" ya mentioned to 1/8"npt right on the rig. The chips just fall down into the tube and the oil that sloshes in there carries the mung down to the "sump" portion of the pumpkin where it can be drained away. Not the best "technical" way to do that, but it works!

Then thread inna right angle brass 1/8"nptx1/4" male hose barb, attach a 1/4" vent tube, and run it up high or forward into a "catch can" and secure so that water /debris can't enter.

If you verify that the "through-bolt" that is securing the brake hose-to-pipe connection on your axle is also a vent (most are, some are not), you can do a similar operation on that side and secure the junction block with a band clamp.

If ya haven't looked at this thread regarding transmission venting, ya might check it out, you will see the type fittings I use:

http://www.forums.IHPartsAmerica.com/transmission-tech/588-torqueflite-727-guapo.html

And...ya can do the same kinda deal on a transfer case.
 
Another way is to put it on top of the diff. Mike's way is quick, but putting a 3/8" hole in high tensile steel tubing is not my way of a Saturday afternoon. The diff cover will have to come off because there'll be a lot more drillings and a pilot hole is a necessity but you'll have a better lash up for 3 reasons. 1.heat rises and while the axle vents, any moisture that all axles get will go out with the purging air. 2 as the axle cools down, the oil cools the slowest so any moisture left in there will condense at the top, a vent there will help prevent that as vapor pressure drives it out. 3. Physical protection; I've snagged a rock or a limb or two with my axles and it's better to have it up and outta the way.
What axle do you have?
 
Thanks for both of the replies.

I have Dana 44's front and rear. The rear is the stock 1972 axle (I think). The front is from an later model with disc brakes. The front has the vent already on the top of the pumpking but the rear just has the little hole.
 
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