Plugging the axle vent tubes

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BrianC

NAXJA Forum User

• Apr 2, 2004

• #1

I am planning on running some trails this summer that have some water crossings. Should I wait until I am going to be on the trails with water to plug the lines or can I plug them now?

 

Wayne Sihler

NAXJA Member

NAXJA Member

Location

Maurertown,Va.

• Apr 2, 2004

• #2

Go ahead and plug them now.The seals will have more time to blow out.
Plugging the vent lines is a BAD idea.Extend them higher in the engine compartment and put a small breather on them.
A couple of feet of rubber hose is cheaper than replacing seals.
Wayne

 

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Ed in North Ga.

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Georgia/ Hiawassee

• Apr 2, 2004

• #3

yep- this has the wonderful effect of keeping your brakes lubed up with gear juice- plugging is bad mojo.

 

S

SimpleXJ

NAXJA Forum User

Location

east coast

• Apr 2, 2004

• #4

yep, very bad mojo. the axle seals aren't going to take the pressure that will build up inside the carrier, when not vented, and......... they'll pop right out. But if you want the experience of changing axle seals on the trail, go for it

SimpleXJ

 

Kejtar

PostMaster General

NAXJA Member

Location

Westminster, SoCal

• Apr 2, 2004

• #5

SimpleXJ said:

yep, very bad mojo. the axle seals aren't going to take the pressure that will build up inside the carrier, when not vented, and......... they'll pop right out. But if you want the experience of changing axle seals on the trail, go for it

SimpleXJ

Click to expand...

Replace the lines with longer ones, run them up high and put a small fuel filter on the ends

 

B

BrianC

NAXJA Forum User

• Apr 2, 2004

• #6

Wow! :wow: Thanks for the warning. That would have REALLLLLLY sucked. I will extend those lines.

 

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Wiley Coyote

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Anchorage, AK

• Apr 2, 2004

• #7

While you are at it, you might want to extend the vent line off of your transfer case as well. The small rubber hose is pretty cheep and you can stick one of those clear $1 fuel filters on the end of it. I’d put the vents (including the rear axle vent) as high up in the engine bay as you can.

 

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Ed in North Ga.

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Georgia/ Hiawassee

• Apr 2, 2004

• #8

BrianC said:

Wow! :wow: Thanks for the warning. That would have REALLLLLLY sucked. I will extend those lines.

Click to expand...

incorrect terminology- it would have blowed!
remember though, even with the axles vented-theres always the possibility that some water can get in-any water is bad water. I always made it a pratice to drain and refill both when going XJ diveing, but it also depends on how long you stay in the water- puddle jumping dosent really mean trouble, but door sill deep slime will find any way possible to get into bad areas.
Same go`s for U-joints. You submerge them, ya gotta grease them soon, or you replace them later....

time to go swimming.

 

M

Mercenary

NAXJA Forum User

Location

British Columbia

• Apr 3, 2004

• #9

Yes, and use a high quality grease on those U-joints as well. There are some brands (such as Hydrapel) that resist water better than others.