Creep Breather Diff Breather

[WyattT]

So recently i put the new FOR springs and shocks on my truck, i decided to save money I would fab all brackets and extentions myself. So when it came time to extend the diff breathers i decided to try out Trail-Gear's Creep Breathers. I love the idea behind these, it makes perfect since and they seem to be a quality product. They were made for a pickup or a 4 runner but they i made them work on the Cruiser. The front axle fitting on a Land Cruiser is a 90 degree turn out on the back side instead of just coming out the top of the housing, so i just dabbed a little silicone on the fitting and put a clamp on the breather. The back axle works great, just switch the old brass tube out for the new one, slide on the "bag" and fit the clamp. They are tight but once again a little sealent isn't a bad idea.

Trail-Gear Inc > Differenital Breather Kit

So far I really like these, they survied a pretty muddy trip through a new trail a few weeks ago, I'll try and get some pics up over the weekend.

I was wondering if anyone else has tried these or had any experince with them otherwise?

 

[UCBerzerkeley]

im a little ignorant, so could you explain how these work compared to the standard diff extension in the FAQ?

 

[NLXTACY]

Its all self contained. Nothing gets in or out. The bulb expands when needed. There was mention of this in a thread last year. Someone brought up a negative to it which I don't remember off hand.

 

[WyattT]

NLXTACY got it. You don't use the hose anymore at all, instead of running a tube to dry vented area from the housing you just clamp the bulb on a new brass breather valve they supply and your done, no more worries.

 

[1973Guppie]

what about elevation change? and overall pressure? I could see these maybe being a problem if it was a situation where it caused more pressure in the axle for a period of time causing seal problems? other than that I would think they would work just fine.

 

[UCBerzerkeley]

seems kinda smart actually, depending on how much elevation change they can sustain. but if going up in elevation, which is naturally the case, those folds seem adequate

anyone with experience? diff extensions are on my to-do list

 

[NLXTACY]

I'm still undecided. Here's what happened when I last brought up the breather discussion:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/223544-diff-breather-manifold.html

 

[lt1fire]

I think i'm going to try it.
I'm sure there is a 90 degree angle one you could find somewhere to put on the front.

 

[KLF]

Competition rigs have been doing this for years, they use balloons. The other advantage is if you flop, it keeps the fluids contained.

 

[WyattT]

what about elevation change? and overall pressure? I could see these maybe being a problem if it was a situation where it caused more pressure in the axle for a period of time causing seal problems? other than that I would think they would work just fine.

I think they will be just fine because of the bulbs ability to expand and contract. The silicone is just a little bit more security, i added an extra pipe clamp just for a little peace of mind too but the clamps that are inclulded are plenty.

 

[80t0ylc]

Looks like a great idea, simpler and easier to manage. That is until you get water in the diff thru the seals. If that happens then the excessive pressure of the foaming diff lube will prolly rupture the little bulb or bladder. This would tell the observant wheeler that there is a problem. If it goes unnoticed, than your effective diff breather, now being the ruptured bladder, is at axle height. So, for the wheeler that stays on top of things, it sounds like a good idea. For those that like to do the mod and forget about it until fluid changing time, it might become a problem. Will this mod work on tranny and Xfer breathers?

 

[malottki]

subscribed

 

[malottki]

That is until you get water in the diff thru the seals. If that happens then the excessive pressure of the foaming diff lube will prolly rupture the little bulb or bladder. is at axle height


Couldnt you put these bulbs at the end of the stock hose location instead of at the outlet?

 

[WyattT]

Yes, i guess you could put a fitting in a hose and put the buld at the end.

 

[hawaiicruz]

I drive from sea level to 13,796 in less than 2 Hrs. the pressure change will pop potato chip bags and make a water bottle look like a pregnant baloon.
I wonder if those folds will expand enough to handle that kind of pressure?

 

[Tapage]

Looks like a great idea, simpler and easier to manage. That is until you get water in the diff thru the seals. If that happens then the excessive pressure of the foaming diff lube will prolly rupture the little bulb or bladder.]

I'm with you on it .. dude. But still a great idea .. just need to see what happened when you reach with a hot diff cold water as we usually do in river crossing.

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

That's really cool! I've never seen that type of breather.

TK

 

[UCBerzerkeley]

I'm with you on it .. dude. But still a great idea .. just need to see what happened when you reach with a hot diff cold water as we usually do in river crossing.

Another good point. The air inside the housing should be warmer than the ambient temperature, and should contract immensely when dunked underwater.

I wish we actually knew how much air was required for the diffs to properly breathe. that would settle this