Diff 79 CJ7 Axle Breather

[cthomas]

I am looking for a front and rear axle breather/vent for my 79 CJ7 . The front seems to be readily available but I'm not finding much for the back. Maybe I am search the wrong keywords or something other than a Jeep part will work. Can anyone recommend where to buy this?

 

[TSB8C]

You're actually missing the "nipples" in the axle tubes where the breather hoses would connect on, not just the hoses, clamps and caps. Those nipples are a press-fit. The hoses are easy, just get the length you want. The caps are readily available and are the same for front and rear. Extreme Terrain, Vintage Jeeps, and others have them. Here's a pic.


If you badly want some original stock parts, there's some on eBay here: eBay link for axle vent tubes with clamps and caps

But for the nipples, I have only seen a few rare cases where someone needed to replace those. Get some threaded hose nipples (Edelmann Part #744250 for example) and use a tap (1/8" NPT) to thread the holes in the axle tubes and screw the nipples in. Use grease on the tap to capture the small metal fragments so they don't fall into the tubes. I have also heard (never seen) small 8mm copper tubing glued on with JB Weld if you don't want to cut threads in the axle tubes.

 

[CJ]

The factory AMC20 breather is a plastic snap in breather that is just about impossible to find. Most people just use a NPT tap and put in a generic one. The stock 20 breather uses these weird spread tangs that lock into the tube. If you do tap it you then have the great option of using a barb fitting with a hose to enable deeper water foraging.

 

[cthomas]

You're actually missing the "nipples" in the axle tubes where the breather hoses would connect on, not just the hoses, clamps and caps. Those nipples are a press-fit. The hoses are easy, just get the length you want. The caps are readily available and are the same for front and rear. Extreme Terrain, Vintage Jeeps, and others have them. Here's a pic.

View attachment 107417
If you badly want some original stock parts, there's some on eBay here: eBay link for axle vent tubes with clamps and caps

But for the nipples, I have only seen a few rare cases where someone needed to replace those. Get some threaded hose nipples (Edelmann Part #744250 for example) and use a tap (1/8" NPT) to thread the holes in the axle tubes and screw the nipples in. Use grease on the tap to capture the small metal fragments so they don't fall into the tubes. I have also heard (never seen) small 8mm copper tubing glued on with JB Weld if you don't want to cut threads in the axle tubes.

Thanks for the reply. So, if I understand correctly, the cap is all I need for the front. For the back I need a nipple, rather than a cap, and most people tap it and use a generic one rather than an original replacement part?
My axles have been rebuilt and I'm now missing that piece which I believe was broken off by someone.

 

[cthomas]

You're actually missing the "nipples" in the axle tubes where the breather hoses would connect on, not just the hoses, clamps and caps. Those nipples are a press-fit. The hoses are easy, just get the length you want. The caps are readily available and are the same for front and rear. Extreme Terrain, Vintage Jeeps, and others have them. Here's a pic.

View attachment 107417
If you badly want some original stock parts, there's some on eBay here: eBay link for axle vent tubes with clamps and caps

But for the nipples, I have only seen a few rare cases where someone needed to replace those. Get some threaded hose nipples (Edelmann Part #744250 for example) and use a tap (1/8" NPT) to thread the holes in the axle tubes and screw the nipples in. Use grease on the tap to capture the small metal fragments so they don't fall into the tubes. I have also heard (never seen) small 8mm copper tubing glued on with JB Weld if you don't want to cut threads in the axle tubes.

After reading a little more closely, I understand what you're saying. I will probably use the caps until I get a little further along on my build and I will tap it. Thanks for your help!