? about my rear axle

[4x494ranger]

on my 94 ranger there is a hose that is connected to the top of the axle on the driver side its not hooked up to anything. should it be hooked up to something? what is it for?

 

[rangertoy]

thats the diff breather hose, no it shouldnt be hooked up to anything but the axle and be attached to the frame

 

[-Nathan-]

it is a breather hose, and allows for the expansion of gases within the differential caused by heat. If it were not there, or plugged off, the expanding gases would escape...blowing out either your axle or pinion seals.

understand?

 

[4x494ranger]

ok cool thanks for the info that's what i was thinking it was but wasn't sure. is there anything i can put on the end of it like a filter or something so water and dirt dont get into it

 

[-Nathan-]

sure, I actually just elongated mine with 5/16 vinyl hose, and put a small fuel filter on the end of it.

 

[theriaum]

1997 Ranger Breather Hose Leaks

I read an earlier posting about an attached hose from the rear axle, but not connected to anything. The reply was a breather hose.

I have the same hose, but this hose is leaking a "brake type" fluid on my driveway. All my fluids seem fine, so what can it be?

The hose connects to the axle between the springs and the shock on the driver's side. My brother, a former mechanic, by phone thinks it is leaking axle fluid...Any suggestions/ideas?

Thanks

Mike
Southern Maryland