Rear Axle Breather Question

[RaveDigger]

So my rear axle breather hose is funny. I'm not sure how, but it usually ends up dislodging itself from the hole in the axle housing. I'm not talking about the hose sliding off the nipple, I'm talking about the threaded piece coming out of the threaded hole in the axle housing. The weird part is, when I try to put the threaded nipple part into the threaded hole in the axle housing, the hole in the axle housing is too big, which means I can push it in and out of the hole without actually screwing anything together. I'd assume this probably is the cause of the left side of my axle being covered in gear oil, and is probably not good for the gears in the diff considering that I do often drive through high water.

Does anyone know how this could happen? If I purchase a new nipple part, do you think it would fit the existing hole that I have? Where can I purchase a replacement threaded nipple online?

Thanks!

 

[IZwack]

Some options:

1) clean the area well (wire brush, Isopropyl alcohol, etc..) and JB-Weld on whatever barb fitting you want to go with.

2) drill and tap to whatever barb fitting you want to go with.