What's this tube coming out of the rear axle?

[SCEXPLORER]

When i was looking under the rear axle, i noticed this hose/tube coming out of the axle and just held to teh acle by clips or something. It is not attached to anything. What is it?

 

[ok89]

vent

 

[JamminG4Jim]

It is the rear Diff breather tube. It allows the axle to "breathe" keeping the pressure inside the axle the same as the outside. If the hose gets plugged the axle seals would pop causing diff fluid to escape. The hose should go up to the frame above the axle to keep water from getting into it and contaminating the fluid.

I just posted a thread about extending my breather hoses into my engine compartment! I didn't take any "underbody" pic's tho. Sorry.

Hope this helps!

Jim