Mystery Hose

[gard_mc]

Hope somebody can help me, it will be pretty obvious that I am NOT a mechanic. A little while ago I had a 'mystery hose' appear in front of my front axle. I never noticed it anywhere while changing the oil or anything, but there it was. It is a rubber hose, probably less than 1/2" diameter with a black rubber plug/cap of some sort in it. I cannot really tell where it goes other than up into the block somewhere, the axle and block sort of keep me from seeing right where it is going.

I know its a shot in the dark for anyone to figure this out from the little info I've got on it, but I'm hoping someone else has had the same thing.

BTW -- Can I post pictures? If so I'll snap a pic and post it.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Alec]

Could it be the breather line from the front axle? All our axles, tcases, and trannies have breather lines so the fluid in them can expand and contract without changing the pressure. Many of us wheelin' folk extend ours so they're up high and can't get water in them.

To post a pic either email it to me at alec@explorerforum.com or find a place online to host it and link to it. Or you can become Elite and attach it yourself!

 

[sodjer6]

I'll bet it's the front diff breather hose. Mine did the same thing, kind of appeared out of nowhere. It then blew that cap off and sprayed my front axle in gear oil, not saying yours will do that. I had to replace the diff cover which thankfully was covered by the warranty I bought

 

[Opera House]

Since no one mentioned it

Cut the hose off square and try to find the nipple located on the top section of the housing. Most likely you will find a 1/2" section of the hose still stuck on it. These break off from age and fatigue. And some say that they come from the factory a little shorter than they should to allow for a good bend. If you see the presence of oil around it, then the fluid level should be checked. If you haven't gone through any deep water then you can probably just slip the hose on and forget about it.

 

[Alec]

looks like a good candidate for the breather line to me.

 

[yob_yeknom]

Without a doubt, that's it.

 

[Jefe]

yup, thats it. Mine is clipped to the driver side upper a-arm bracket. If the clip is still there great, if not you could just get it up near there and wire-tie it off.

 

[gard_mc]

Thanks everyone. So it sounds like I should just tie it off somewhere where it won't get pinched? Does it matter if the plug is up or down?

 

[Jefe]

Originally posted by gard_mc
Thanks everyone. So it sounds like I should just tie it off somewhere where it won't get pinched? Does it matter if the plug is up or down?

My front diff breather is pointing up, but the rear one points sideways, so I don't see that it makes a difference.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Can someone tell me what does the vacuum disconnect line look like? Is it a rubber tube or metal?