What is this?

[adam4207]

Today I noticed this hose hanging from under the front of my explorer. When I looked underneath I noticed it was a small black hose with a weird end on it and it had some type of oil all over it and it was connected to the front differential. I looked all underneath my x and can not figure out where this hose fits into. I can tell it is spraying some type of fluid all over the under side of the front of my explorer. The liquid is almost like transmission fluid. I was wondering what this is.

 

[gavin]

that would be the breather hose.. it doesn't connect to anything but the front diff.
and the oil you see/smell would be gear lube from the diff.

 

[checkedout]

That end of the hose goes into a little plastic clip located on the inside right front fender.