Front Diff Breather (uh oh!)

[Atrus]

So, went wheeling today and it was definitely wet and soupy. I didn't get too crazy at all - puddles I was going through were 12"-18" deep at the most.

After about 3 hours one of the guy's wives goes "what is that???" and is pointing to the front of my KJ. I thought she was giving me crap like I ripped my bumper off or something. I look, and my breather is dangling down. Damn.

So, I stuffed it up into the bumper so it wouldn't get riipped off and we were nearing the end of the trip anyways. I got it home and I just checked it. Pulled the loop end off, and it looks like a little water/dirt may have gotten in there. It's not caked or anything. The way it's laying now, It's almost like an upside down "u" - it was curved up over the axle, and then hung down under the bumper.

Think I got water in there? My thinking was most likely not from the way it was laying - almost like an upside down plumbing trap.

I drive about 40 miles round trip on the freeway to/from work. Think I'd be OK to drive it tomorrow? My plan is to drop the engine skid and pull the breather off and look at it from the other end to see if anything got in there. It's darn cold and dark tonight, so I don't think I can get to it right now. I'd prefer to let it slide until tomorrow after work if you all think it's OK.

Opinions?

 

[2003KJ]

If you drove it back with no problems, you should be fine.

Just for peace of mind, I would definitely change the fluid in the front diff. It takes all of 10 minutes, as its just like changing motor oil. There's a drain plug, and a fill plug on the differential. Just drain the old stuff out, and fill it up with new until it starts running out. It's that easy

Just my .02, differentials are too expensive to risk damaging with possible water/mud contamination.

 

[Atrus]

Oh, I didn't realize there's a drain plug on the front too! Excellent. I think I'll hold off and change it tomorrow

 

[2003KJ]

Oh, I didn't realize there's a drain plug on the front too! Excellent. I think I'll hold off and change it tomorrow

Oh yes, it's very easy. And I was plesantly surprised to see the front being this easy when I changed mine. I think total time it took me to do both from and rear, taking my time, was about 2 hours. Easy easy job. You might as well go ahead and do the rear while you're at it, that way you can knock them both out. Hardest part with the rear was getting the cover off, and scraping all the old RTV off. I didn't quite get it all off as good as I should have, and the new RTV didn't set very well, so mine's got a slow leak to it. If I don't drive it for a few days, there will be a couple of drips on the pavement under the rear. No biggie to me.

And hell, while you're down there, why not hit the transfer case too. Also another easy Job, that I will be doing to mine in the very near future.

 

[Atrus]

Only reason I won't be doing them all is I only have 9700 miles on the Jeep

Do you need a pump or anything to fill the front, or is it easy enough with the bottle?

 

[2003KJ]

Only reason I won't be doing them all is I only have 9700 miles on the Jeep

Do you need a pump or anything to fill the front, or is it easy enough with the bottle?

No pump is necessary for either, but you might find one handy with the back, when that time comes.

It's ridiculously easy on the front....just make sure you take that FILL plug out FIRST (it would really suck to drain it all out, and not be able to get the fill plug off, now wouldn't it?)

 

[Dave]

The easy way to fill the diffs/t-cas is to get a gear lube pump that you use to fill outdrives with. They screw onto any 1 qt bottle and just stick the hose in and pump. It will bend and twist in any direction. You can get one at any Marina or maby even wallymart for about $10. I have several of them so I don't mix the ATF+4 (t-case) with the gear lube.

Dave

 

[Marlon_JB2]

So, went wheeling today

um, where?

 

[Atrus]

The Mounds, up in Davison. I can link you to a website if you want. I'll post pics when I get them downloaded from the camera.

 

[LibertyFever]

I doubt you got much water if any into your diff just from a dangling vent hose.

Here's what you'll find in your diff if the axle seals are leaking.

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That's the front of my 95 YJ's Dana 30 axle. Normally a leaking axle seal would only lead to oil stains on the driveway but I did a couple of water crossings. I drove for a couple of weeks before discovering this mess.

I suggest you remove the drain plug on your Libby's Dana 30A axle and dip your finger in. It should give you an idea what the condition of the fluid is.

FYI: The fluid should look black.

 

[2003KJ]

eeeewwwww. How much longer did that 30 run after that? They're generally a pretty stout axle....

 

[o8k]

yikes thats freaky bad in there! water still dripping out w mud on it.... good warning! good post! bad d30 srry man

 

[Atrus]

Darn, can't see the pics from here. My buddy with a TJ told me to dip my finger in to see. If you think it'd clearly show, I'll do that.

I agree, I highly doubt anything got in there. I pulled the end loop off of the tube, and it looked like a little dirt/muddy water may have gotten about 1" in. I really don't think it'd make it all the way up to the diff. I just figured why take the chance.

I need to drop the engine skid anyways to get the mud and junk out of there, so I'll pull the plug and check it out.

 

[Marlon_JB2]

I need to drop the engine skid anyways to get the mud and junk out of there, so I'll pull the plug and check it out.

Enjoy.

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Yeah... that's why I don't like mud.

 

[JeepJeepster]

Thats insane marlon. I dont have a clue how you did that. Ive been in mud before and Ive never had something like that on my skid.

Im a rock guy anyway. I drive around on chevys.

 

[Atrus]

Wasn't too bad. About $8 at the car wash to srpay her down. Sure, there's some in the skid...I don't care. 4 bolts + garden hose = clean in 15 mins

Would I mud all the time? No. Was it totally worth it? For sure. To me, the dust when it's dry can just be nastier. Mud sprays off, and the next rainstorm when I am on 696 doing 80, it'll be clean as a whistle

Can't wait to see those destruction pics when I get home. Pics are blocked here at work.

 

[Atrus]

The good news is the gear lube is perfectly clean. Man, I almost forgot how great that stuff smells!

Marlon, this has to be at least a close second to you!

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Think I was dragging a little? Shiny Skids!

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I made a post of all the pics in the pictures thread...