Starters, I am in the middle of some front end repairs including unit-bearing, u-joints, ball joints and seals. I noticed the ESOF hose has holes in it on the fitting when removing. My ESOF has not worked since I have owned the truck. I plan on going with a manual hub conversion, just haven't pulled the trigger on one.

My theory is to cap and remove the hoses on the vacuum pump. I also removed the broken fitting on the knuckle which leads to my question. If going with a manual lock out would it be OK to replace the barbed vent fitting with a bolt and some blue loctite instead of replacing and capping the new vent?

New vents at local dealer are $10 a piece + tax. Bolts and washers maybe $5 and covers both sides.

@hav24wheel

 

I just capped the fitting on the hub and the one on in the engine bay.

 

The hose fittings on the knuckles are just a pipe thread. Remove and get two pipe plugs and call it good on the axle end. And cap the line under the hood like you planned.

 

Thanks for the info guys. Here are some pictures below of what I was referring to for others.

Looks like I can get a pipe plug at Fastenal on Monday.

 

On my Wagoneer, I actually put a grease zurk in that hole, and fill the knuckle with grease. It keeps water out, so the stub shaft bearing doesn't go out. But that's a off road rig, and gets driven in a lot of mud/water.

 

Yep, Like Dave said those holes are pipe thread and a bolt will bugger up the threads, a pipe plug will match the threads and allow for a return to stock config if that ever is a consideration.

That sounds like a good idea, has the Wagoneer slung out any of that grease since the zerk mod? I don't see what it could hurt on a street driven rig as long as it keeps the grease in the knuckle and doesn't throw it all back out. More lube is always better in my mind.

 

Hasn't spit any out yet, but have to have the lockout off when filling it up so you don't over do it. Keep a eye on the axle shaft seal so you don't push it out, and when grease comes out where the axle shaft comes through the hub it's full up.

I did a mod like that on my older style strait axles too. Filled the whole hub with grease, to keep water out.

 

1/8" NPT fitting installed today. Also removed the hose to the knuckle. Will probably cap that section off to hold the nipple in the bracket.

 

Re-did the pipe plug with Teflon tape and capped the hose at the fender well for temporary.

Attachment 289784

 

That's some handy info. Thanks Bently!