So I went to change the oil on my 2001 Tacoma today and noticed the vacuum line to the ADD actuator flopping around. Apparently the plastic fitting for that vacuum line on the ADD actuator has broken.

The 4WD has been working fine (this is actually the electric style ADD actuator that was introduced in 2001) So what does the vacuum line do on these newer electric actuators?

I know the older style was completely vacuum controlled and a broken line meant no 4WD.

Anybody have one of these electric ADD actuator covers laying around that they could spare? Thanks!
Greg

That sounds more like a breather line than vacuum. You might try calling Off Road Solutions or Front Range Offroad Fab and ask what they would recommend for replacements.

Thanks for the reply Mark.

I don't think its the diff breather as that one I can see coming off the top of the diff and its a larger diameter hose.

This one is vacuum hose size, coming off the top of the actuator. The FSM also refers to it as a vacuum line, but no indication in the FSM of what it does. I need to trace the other end once it warms up a bit here.

And why oh why did they make this plastic? Older ADD actuator fittings were metal. And I happen to have a spare one of those older style actuators.

I may try and remove the cover and see if I can JB weld a little brass fitting on there. The actuator is over $300 from the dealer and it doesn't look like they can get just the cover.

Well Mark you were correct. This small hose appears to be a breather for the actuator. Both the larger diff breather hose and this line head up to a high spot in the engine compartment where they terminate in breather caps.

My cheap fix was to drill a slightly larger hole in the cover and JB weld a small brass tube in there. The brass tube fits pretty tight so has some support by the cover and with the JB weld it looks like it might actually hold together.
Greg
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

glad to hear you got it 'fixed'. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />