My Differential Breather Mod Photos

Thanks for the excellent write up. FINALLY did this today

 

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Subbed. Thanks.

 

The only issues with the alternative you linked are first, it's more expensive than the proposed method and second, it doesn't solve the problem of creating low pressure in the housing when it cools.

I read an article somewhere (sorry, I'm not going to look for it again) where some guys poked a pin hole in the top pleat of this style product. They figured that any small amount of water that was able to enter would turn to steam and escape through the pinhole. They were betting that the pinhole would allow better breathability.

I prefer the method described in this thread.

 

I was thinking about doing this but i was just looking and i dont have a breather. I have the whole were the stock breather would go but no breather in it. Do you think i fell off?

 

No breather - just a hole?!?!

I would drain the diff fluid ASAP but only after you have the materials needed to do this mod or at least a stock breather replacement.

I don't know what the set-up is on a 2000, but I wouldn't drive around with an open hole on my differential. Water and dirt (rocks, sand, etc) can (and probably will) get in there and cause you tons of frustration and money.

 

Ok so i just got way in there took out the spare got in and above the axle and used a flashlight to look in. Theres mud inside does that mean the end of my differential?

 

If you don't drain it, refill it & cap it it will. Do it anyway and find out. Does it whine? How does shit like that happen? Was the whole axle replaced at some point? If it was then I'd be betting it's been like that since then and whoever did swap didn't swap over the diff breather.

 

Drain, Refill, then do this mod! The sooner the better in your case.

 

I really like the bolt/clamp. But since the breather on your taco has an opening at the top, couldn't rain, mud, water, etc. get into it since its on the inside of your fender-well? Great write-up though. I will be doing this mod, come the weekend.

 

Who are you asking? My breather is in the storage compartment, as much protection if not more than where the same model breather is for the front diff.

 

Nice write up now i guess ill be doing this mod

 

Gottahot1. I was asking him why he choose a fuel filter. Its post #179 page 9.

 

OK, well others have said they use a filter to ensure dust stays out. The breather we are using is the same as used on the front diff... basically, a tiny gap for air to relieve the vacuum and for hot gasses to expand... it isn't a large openeing at all.

 

I used a fuel filter for my 'breather'. It is protected since it's on the inside of the fenderwell. Other than dust, it was clean in there. The hole on top of the filter is relatively small, and it's pointed up, so I'm not concerned that any debris will get in. Even if it does, the filter will do its job.

Just to reiterate, I chose to go this route so my diff could actually breathe, not just exhale like through the stock breather. Keeping the pressure equalized is important to me.

 

No, it doesn't necessarily mean that your differential is garbage. As has already been stated, do a drain/refill ASAP!

What I would do is get a shop vac and vacuum off all the mud/sand from around the hole.

Then I would get the correct sized bolt or breather tube and run it in and out of the hole a few times to make sure that there's no debris in the threads. You might also consider using a little brake cleaner to make sure that it's nice and clean.

Then I would add the stock breather or complete this mod.

Then I would drain the existing fluid and refill.

If you're really concerned that there's a lot of mud and sand inside your diff, (you should get a good feel for that if you pay attention to the fluid coming out as you drain it) you should consider pulling the third member out and doing a cleaning/inspection of the gears. Don't be scared of this - it's not that hard and you won't be messing with any of the gear adjustments. Just make sure you mark the current orientation of the driveshaft u-joint in relation to the pinion yoke so you put it back together correctly.

 

I'm going to try to do this soon since it's not too expensive and looks fairly easy to do.

I want to add a shell to my Tacoma at some point, if I locate the breather in the storage compartments will that send fumes or anything into the shell? Would it be better to locate it in the fuel door in that instance?

 

Maybe... minor if any... it breathes in as much as it breathes out as temps. change or you cross water. You probably get more exhaust fumes just highway driving then ever from that breather? Nice that the axle seals will no longer have a vacuum applied against them. Toyota's big folly was not giving us the same breather on the back diff. as we have on the front... at least for the Off Road TRDs!

 

I don't understand the last line in your above post...
Some of us skewp owners also have a front diff and our rear diff can also benefit from this easy mod. Or are you implying a TRD sport cant cross water?