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rear differential - what's the hole for

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Old 06-19-2010, 02:54 PM
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rear differential - what's the hole for

We have a 1979 Toyota that had a leaking differential, so today we pulled the rear-end, replaced the gasket (stopped the leak!) and found a quarter-sized hole on the top of the differential with a smaller hole, threaded, that looks like it held something in the hole...our book shows nothing of the kind and I wonder if anyone knows what that hole is for......and would pass the info on to us!

Thanks in advance!

Tim
Old 06-19-2010, 02:58 PM
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Differential Breather? Much smaller than quarter sized though, should be on the top of the differential housing
Old 06-19-2010, 02:59 PM
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any pics
Old 06-19-2010, 03:00 PM
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This has an extended diff breather tube attached, but its on the top left of the differential housing for reference if this is the part in question

Old 06-19-2010, 03:02 PM
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Google Toyota Diff Breather

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f115...r-caps-158023/

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...+diff+breather

And for SURE read this thread... https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...eather-113377/

Last edited by Lysmachia; 06-19-2010 at 03:12 PM.
Old 06-19-2010, 03:04 PM
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FYI people extend their diff breathers so that when going through water, the hot axle doesn't pull water into the differential and soil the diff oil. So if you drive through water higher than that hole, you need to do a diff breather extension like the pic above (both front and rear)
Old 06-19-2010, 03:18 PM
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I didn't get a picture, but it is not the breather...the breather is on the axle housing, this hole is on top of the 3rd member, right in the middle...

I'll see if I can get a pic...

Tim
Old 06-19-2010, 03:24 PM
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ok i just went out and looked at my axels there are only 3 holes, the breather,the drain plug, and the filler hole
Old 06-19-2010, 03:33 PM
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Here is a pic...the arrow is pointing at the cork that I stuck in the hole...the hole is around the cork...

Tim
Attached Thumbnails rear differential - what's the hole for-cork1.jpg  
Old 06-19-2010, 03:36 PM
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huh idk ive never seen a hole right there
Old 06-19-2010, 04:07 PM
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ABS Sensor, put a freeze plug in and call it a day, or go to pull a part and get a sensor and cut the wires.
Old 06-19-2010, 04:15 PM
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ABS in a 79
Old 06-19-2010, 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by 1981 yota
ABS in a 79
ABS in whatever that third is out of.
Old 06-19-2010, 04:18 PM
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oh good point
Old 06-19-2010, 04:21 PM
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I don`t think that is the original third member in that truck, that hole looks like its for an ABS sensor.
Old 06-19-2010, 05:48 PM
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yea plug it and you will be fine
Old 06-19-2010, 07:57 PM
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I think he already plugged it in the pic
Old 06-20-2010, 10:34 AM
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Thanks for the replies! I thought perhaps it was for an ABS for whatever vehicle it came out of...suspicions confirmed!

Thanks again...

Tim
Old 10-04-2010, 09:35 PM
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i have the same hole or mount for my diff i was told its for an e-locker so its for abs?. were they lying?
Old 10-04-2010, 09:57 PM
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Originally Posted by yotalaz
i have the same hole or mount for my diff i was told its for an e-locker so its for abs?. were they lying?
The hole is for the ABS sensor, not an e-locker, so yes they were lying to you, or they had no clue what they were talking about.


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