Front differential vent mystery part?

[IdahoDoug]

I've done the front diff vent mod on my '93, and was looking at the 97 to do the same. It's got an interesting change and I'm wondering if anybody knows anything about it. Looks like Toyota at some point realized the diff vent on the front axle was constantly pulling in birfield grease and dedicated some engineering time to fixing it.

Anyhow, what is the roughly box shaped thing the rubber hose coming up from the axle housing now connects into (vs mine which simply connects to a bracket)? If I were a betting man, I'd say it was a strategy to separate the oil and air when the diff breaths. Anyone open one up?


DougM

 

[e9999]

you talking about the vent valve cap?

 

[cruiserdan]

The later vent terminates in a plastic box thingy that acts as a seporator. The early versoin is replaced by the plastic box version. I have installed one on mine some time back.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Does it work? When did they start using these?? Mine's a very late '97 production.

DougM

 

[IdahoDoug]

Not talking about the vent cap - this box is about the size/shape of a small cigarette pack.

 

[RavenTai]

still has the same problem with the silly flapper in the cap so the seperator box does not solve the "pullign grease past the seals" problem.

 

[elmariachi]

That little plastic box is just a little recepticle so that the diff can breathe without fear of dirt intake. I moved mine up to the engine compartment on the firewall and just extended the line.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Gotcha. I'll just bypass it and raise the diff into the engine bay like the other truck, then.

DougM

 

[medtro]

It is another secret 80 feature

 

[IdahoDoug]

I've got a secret feature for ya......heh....

DougM

 

[NorCalDoug]

Doug,
I bypassed that box when I extended my breather line. I thought about incorporating it into the extension, but it seemed like more work than it was really worth.

I think I have the box still attached...serving no purpose...

 

[snowcruiser]

Extended my lines and deleted said part. Added inline fuel filters to the end of each breather line.

 

[e9999]

mine was more like matchbox size IIRC.
It is a valve. And, of course, the one main place where the venting can be interrupted. So it would best be removed or "fixed" if one is concerned about grease pulling into the diff.

 

[cruiserdan]

Does it work? When did they start using these?? Mine's a very late '97 production.

DougM

The change was made 1-95. The early version is replaced by the box version if new parts are ordered.

D-

 

[sjcruiser]

On mine, I only removed the rubber flap, extended the breather line, and re-mounted the said box on the intake right next to the oil dipstick - looks almost stock to me!

Frank

 

[4x4CPOSEADOG]

Originally posted by NorCalDoug
I think I have the box still attached...serving no purpose...

It gives you an added weigth to the front making your OME to sag...

 

[flintknapper]

still has the same problem with the silly flapper in the cap so the seperator box does not solve the "pullign grease past the seals" problem.

I agree, I threw mine away (looked inside first) when I moved my lines up to the firewall, and just used a diff. breather that has a felt filter in it that we use on rockwell axles.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Excellent.

DougM

 

[sjcruiser]

Here's how mine mounted...