A while back someone linked to a post on another site about using an 'accordian' style breather off of a snowmobile or something to use as an axle breather. I found the post here however the post it links to is gone. Anybody happen to know the brand an part # for those? I noticed the check valve on my rear breather tube is missing, just an open tube there now and was thinking of just getting one of those.

I think I remember seeing one on Dallas' trooper buggy.

I'm pretty sure it was a Polaris part. Not sure on the number though.

Richard <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

After looking through some online parts fisches I might have found one. Looks like Suzuki uses them too on their ATVs. The one I found is

27491-38F00 Final Bevel Gear (Rear) Breather, Case

There is a Honda and Suzuki dealer down the road from me, I'll have to stop in tomorrow and see if its the same. If it is I'll get one and post the info, if they have one in stock.

Will this part extend the breather up higher?
Pete

No. It is a closed breather that sits right at the axle. Expands and contracts; but does not allow exchange of air with the outside. I haven't heard the greatest results when used on truck axle... but I have no first-hand experience with them either.

Now I understand how it works. Thanks. Let us know if it works well on a truck. I already filled my diffs with water once this year.
Pete

You mention a check valve, which has me curious, & this is just me thinking out loud, so take it FWIW... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Wouldn't a PCV valve on the end of the breather tube serve the same purpose? Or would it seal too tight. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

It might seal too tight, I dont really know. Would think there should be a way for air to get back in when it cools off.

Have to wait a bit before I find out how well the Suzuki one works. Local m'cycle shop didnt have any in stock so I ordered one.

I've already changed my fluid 3 times in the last month, dont feel like doing it again anytime soon because of water getting in it.

It's not really a check valve. On those with extended breather lines, there's a line that runs from the diff up to the underside of the body. No valves in it at all. On those that don't have the hose, there's a little plastic thing that sits on top of the fitting. All this really protects from is water splashes and maybe a brief under water excursion. But there isn't a valve there, just a plastic cap that kinda floats in place.

The problem with using something that allows air out but not in or vice versa is that the axle needs to breathe. Whenever the axles heats up, air is forced out through the breather. And whenever the axles cools down, air is sucked in through the breather. Without it, you'll have problems with blowing seals because instead of the air moving easily through the breather, it is now being forced around the seals and causes your seals to leak.

Best way to prevent water from getting in is to extended the breather lines up as high as possible. Then on the end of it, loop the lines around a few times and secure them. That way if any water does get in, it gets trapped inside the loops instead of just running down into your axles.

Richard <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

There is something on the end of the line, I remember checking it a couple times to make sure it was open. Not sure if its a valve or something else to help keep stuff from just getting sucked into the tube.

BREATHER; RR AXLE CASE 8-97228-909-0