this is hanging from under my truck, can someone I.D.? (pic)

[DZink24]

so i get home tonight, and look under the truck, and to add to the recent issues i have had, i see this hanging off, dragging on the roadway, it is a hose that is attached to the top of the rear axle, kind of near the differential. it is the rubber hose that is bending towards the ground, not the one with the corrugated sleeve around it. here are some pics to assist. hopefully someone can tell me what it is, and how to remedy the situation. thanks.

 

[ColemanR]

It's the breather for rearend it clips up on the frame rail or crossmember.

 

[LRutigliano]

It's the breather for rearend it clips up on the frame rail or crossmember.

X2 - it clips above the spare tire on the driver side on the upper shock mount.



I just replaced my rear shocks and the breather tube came down like yours when I was trying to remove the upper shock bolt...



Mine is pointed outboard, not straight up so that water wont accumulate on the white piece.

 

[n7gxz]

The plastic part is missing a cap that covers the hole and keeps water/dirt out.



Kevin

 

[DZink24]

ok thanks a lot, i figured it was something a bit more serious. the cap is long gone, i'll just seal it up with some electrical tape and hang it back up. there is a slight amount of road rash on it, so i cant imagine it has been off for more than a mile. i assumed it had something to do with the rear brakes, considering that i have a feeling that my rear calipers are a bit too tight. i just had the fronts replaced, and no sooner do i get it back and start driving, my mileage drops and my rear brakes seem a bit hotter and smellier than normal.

 

[Bill Stockard]

i'll just seal it up with some electrical tape and hang it back up.

It's a breather which allows the air to flow out as the axle heats when driving and back in as the axle cools when the truck is parked. Sealing it up will build pressure in the rear axle and possibly cause the pinoin seal and/or axle seals to leak.



Bill

 

[MLee]

Suggestion!!!!

Make that hose longer and put it higher up toward the stake hole in the bed, after you get the replacement cap for the end. This has been suggested a long time ago to keep the water out of the differential.

 

[DZink24]

ok, thanks for the tips. . i'll look into getting the cap for it.

 

[Cosmo]

If you go through deep water at all you'll want it up as high as possible and open. If you seal it off you run the risk of water getting sucked in the seals.