Diff Breather Extension Mod

Gangus2006 · 10-31-2005, 02:50 PM

As many of you have heard/read me complain, we recently got our wheel seals replaced, due to a clogged breather. During the job, they also replaced said breather.

Well, I did the extension mod today, and I started thinking. Does doing the extension create enough of a restriction to cause hte seals to blow again? I mean, there are bends and such that wouldnt be there if only the pumpkin-top breather were used.

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Tacoma Dude · 10-31-2005, 03:07 PM

Fuel hosing is pretty stiff. You'd have to have a lot of slack to cause enough kinking to restrict the breather from doing what it is originally intended to do.

Besides, I think you're thinking of this the wrong way. It's not that the air has to travel all the way from the differential, up the tube, and to the breather... the air is already in the tubing itself so it's just the breather.

hmmm... maybe that isn't coming off as well as I'm hoping.

leiniesred · 10-31-2005, 03:43 PM

no. it'll be fine as long as you don't collapse the hose.

4Crawler · 10-31-2005, 04:10 PM

Actually, be sure that there are no downward dips in the breather hose as it runs from the axle to the vent filter. Why? Read my page for more info: http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...html#Breathers

oly884 · 10-31-2005, 04:11 PM

The whole intention of extending the breather is to not let water in. By extending it you're simply just giving it a pocket of air as the diff expands and contracts. The air in the tube will just simply go up and down with the expansion and contraction of the diff. You could have 1,000,000 ft of hose and it wouldn't mess up the breather.

Tacoma Dude · 10-31-2005, 05:12 PM

Actually... when I did the mod, I did have an excess of hosing and looped it around. At Robinhood's suggestion I cut it short because of the possibility of oil clogging the line in a lower point of hosing.

Seems to make sense to me so I figured what the heck...

sschaefer3 · 10-31-2005, 05:16 PM

FWIW, your front diff has an extended breather, all FJ-60 and FJ-62's had both breathers extended at the factory and the 1988 Jeep Wagoneer axle I have under my truck now had a Jeep version of an extended breather, now it has a Toyota version.

Those 3rd Gen axle seals suck, there are tips to make them last longer and even a double liped seal. Basically it's a design flaw and some leak and some don't. Mine leak so don't feel bad.

vegaskurt · 11-01-2005, 10:35 AM

Not to steal anyones thread but I had a quick question about this breather mod. I've seen a few write ups where people locate the factory breather valve higher up. Some people re-use or replace the factory valve where others get a small crank case or valve cover filter.

My question is, is there any harm in using the small filter method over the factory breather valve?

4Crawler · 11-01-2005, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegaskurt

Not to steal anyones thread but I had a quick question about this breather mod. I've seen a few write ups where people locate the factory breather valve higher up. Some people re-use or replace the factory valve where others get a small crank case or valve cover filter.

My question is, is there any harm in using the small filter method over the factory breather valve?

A filter is better that the stock breather, IMHO. Why? Breather is basically a check valve, allows air out but prevents water (and air) from getting in while stopped; while moving, the cap jiggles and allows for air exhange in and out. Why is that an issue? Imagine driving up to a deep water crossing with hot axles. Drive into the deep water and slowly cross and the air inside the housing starts to cool. As it cools the breather seals off and a partial vacuum is pulled inside the housing. Get enough vacuum combined with the hydrostatic pressure of the water (1 PSI for every 2 ft. depth) and you can have water leaking in past a weak axle or pinion seal. A filter will allow the axle housing pressure to remain equalized as the axle cools.

And why a filter and not just an open hose? Helps keep dirt out of the hose and housing and also keeps things like spiders and other bugs crawling in and setting up housekeeping. Something like that can get in and clog the vent line and that case cause oil leaks due to the pressure buildup.

All covered on my web page that I posted a link to above.

10-31-2005, 03:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tacoma Dude Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 8,360	Fuel hosing is pretty stiff. You'd have to have a lot of slack to cause enough kinking to restrict the breather from doing what it is originally intended to do. Besides, I think you're thinking of this the wrong way. It's not that the air has to travel all the way from the differential, up the tube, and to the breather... the air is already in the tubing itself so it's just the breather. hmmm... maybe that isn't coming off as well as I'm hoping. __________________ Peter! 2002 Tacoma 1986 4Runner

10-31-2005, 04:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,832	Actually, be sure that there are no downward dips in the breather hose as it runs from the axle to the vent filter. Why? Read my page for more info: http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...html#Breathers __________________ 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR-5, 22REC engine, dual t-cases, 4.88 gears, dual ARBs, 33x10.50 BFGs or 35x12.50 MTRs r.c.brown@ieee.org TruckEditor@tlca.org Project: 4Crawler 4Crawler OffRoad Gettin'Off 4WD Club

10-31-2005, 05:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tacoma Dude Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 8,360	Actually... when I did the mod, I did have an excess of hosing and looped it around. At Robinhood's suggestion I cut it short because of the possibility of oil clogging the line in a lower point of hosing. Seems to make sense to me so I figured what the heck... __________________ Peter! 2002 Tacoma 1986 4Runner

10-31-2005, 05:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
sschaefer3 Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Tempe, Arizona Posts: 5,494	FWIW, your front diff has an extended breather, all FJ-60 and FJ-62's had both breathers extended at the factory and the 1988 Jeep Wagoneer axle I have under my truck now had a Jeep version of an extended breather, now it has a Toyota version. Those 3rd Gen axle seals suck, there are tips to make them last longer and even a double liped seal. Basically it's a design flaw and some leak and some don't. Mine leak so don't feel bad. __________________ Steve Schaefer *WWW.SonoranSteel.Com* Suspension Lift Kits * Rock Sliders * Straight Axle Conversions * 4Runner/FJC Rubicon Express Lower Links * Accessories * Daystar Products Dealer * TJM Bull Bar Dealer * Deaver Leaf Spring Dealer * Tokico & Bilstein Shock Dealer * ViAir Dealer * Total Chaos Dealer * TOYTEC Dealer * and like everyone else a Trail Gear Dealer

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10-31-2005, 03:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
leiniesred Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 271	no. it'll be fine as long as you don't collapse the hose.

10-31-2005, 04:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
oly884 Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 4,703	The whole intention of extending the breather is to not let water in. By extending it you're simply just giving it a pocket of air as the diff expands and contracts. The air in the tube will just simply go up and down with the expansion and contraction of the diff. You could have 1,000,000 ft of hose and it wouldn't mess up the breather.

11-01-2005, 10:35 AM	#8 (permalink)
vegaskurt Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 374	Not to steal anyones thread but I had a quick question about this breather mod. I've seen a few write ups where people locate the factory breather valve higher up. Some people re-use or replace the factory valve where others get a small crank case or valve cover filter. My question is, is there any harm in using the small filter method over the factory breather valve?

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