95-11 Front axle question

[cowboybilly9mile]

Where exactly is the open end (vent fitting to keep water out) of your front axle vent hose located under the hood? And is this the exact OEM spot? Thanx.

[freddie]

I believe it is just on top of the diff.. pretty tight space there. I could see about getting a picture

[cowboybilly9mile]

Thank you and yes, one end is on top of the diff. But it's the other end that's in question, the exact location.

[Redneckstone]

Originally Posted by cowboybilly9mile

Thank you and yes, one end is on top of the diff. But it's the other end that's in question, the exact location.

first its 98+ for that style suspension.

next it doesnt come truely into the engine bay. you will see the hose on the driver side frame inside. it has a little cap plug in the hose just thru the wheel well

[cowboybilly9mile]

Thanks; correct on the hose being held to the frame with one clip but there are a few variations.

*Without details (but available) I'm fighting a seal leak on the RH half shaft at the axle assy; no worn/damaged/etc parts detected so far. New seal ...no dice (made it 2,000 miles). Replace half shaft w/NIB unit + new seal ...no dice (made it 500 miles). OEM seal made barely past. All has been white gloved for correct OEM assembly, all ok. Axle vent is not clogged, obstructed, etc, analyzed that to death this morning. I'm considering the current location (yeah, mine is known to be OEM), up high and clipped to the forward line leading to the ABS unit), comparing to others (deliberately 95+ because I know where it was on my old 94, despite diff axle config) and for lack of anything else obvious, considering a new spot. Sure seems far fetched, but I'm wondering if somehow, some way, under the right conditions, and something I've never ever heard of before but, maybe somehow a positive pressure is developed at the vent end of the hose. Just installed new axle stub shaft, seal and went back to OEM (and not worn or damaged) half shaft. Optimism is not too high given the past. I'm running out of ideas (for now), thus considering other areas.

*Edit: by "few variations", it looks like *maybe* plain 4x4's vented lower, like about as far off the ground and near the upper shock mount. FX4 and Level II seems to be higher. I haven't proven this but somehow it really just shouldn't matter. FWIW, pics available. :-/

[Toy529]

The bearing in the axle housing might be going bad and the axle shaft would not run true, allowing the leak.

[cowboybilly9mile]

Originally Posted by Toy529

The bearing in the axle housing might be going bad and the axle shaft would not run true, allowing the leak.

Thanks for the reply and yes, that is an excellent and valid point that would cause a leak. But unfortunately, that's not it; compared a new bearing against the one in there.

[jimi1952]

Going thru the same problem, replaced the seal front r/h axle three times and still leaks. Took it to a mechanic that I trust to see what he can find might be the problem. The last seal was from Ford and seemed to fix the problem, but after coming back from a camping trip the leak was back.

[jimi1952]

Picked my Ranger up today, my mechanic found that the vent hose was kinked so bad that no way it could breath, causing pressure to build up and possibly pushing oil out the seal. Cut the kink out reattached with wire tie. Said to drive it and hope for the best. Taking our trailer on another camping trip in a couple weeks, keeping my fingers crossed.

[dangerranger01NJ]

Originally Posted by cowboybilly9mile

*Edit: by "few variations", it looks like *maybe* plain 4x4's vented lower, like about as far off the ground and near the upper shock mount. FX4 and Level II seems to be higher. I haven't proven this but somehow it really just shouldn't matter. FWIW, pics available. :-/

On my 06 fx4 the front diff vent is on the top inside of the drivers side fender lol.