Axel air vent
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 91
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From: Southern Ca high Desert
Axel air vent
Well I just noticed the rear axle air vent and it is blocked.. I ordered a new one and will replace it once it arrives.. what can I expect once I replace it?
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,813
Likes: 1,335
From: Elk Grove, CA
You can expect a few minutes of manly labor swapping the parts, potentially stretching out to hours if you grab multiple cold ones, followed by the warm satisfaction of a job well done. 
But I doubt you'll notice any change in the truck. If it was blocked for a long time and you had large altitude changes or heat cycles in the rear end the seals might have developed a leak, but if the pumpkin is dry then the seals are still good, no worries. Check the driveshaft u joints while down there.
But I doubt you'll notice any change in the truck. If it was blocked for a long time and you had large altitude changes or heat cycles in the rear end the seals might have developed a leak, but if the pumpkin is dry then the seals are still good, no worries. Check the driveshaft u joints while down there.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 979
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver
Very funny answer, David!
One other place to check for leaky seals--the axles. If they go, the rear parking brakes and/or disc pads can get soaked with lube, ruining the brakes.
If you find bad seals, the auto part stores sell the weird socket(there are several different sizes) (thank you Mr Ford) to remove the rear axles.
The springs, etc come with all the little parts in a kit, if the parts are really rusty. Take your time on those parking brake shoes, getting them centered and adjusted as close as possible to the drum hat in the rotor. The cable for the parking brake doesn't have a lot of range of adjustment.
If a leak is just developing, but not bad enough to show on the backing plate or inside of tire rim, you may have to pull the rotors to inspect the axle seals. It doesn't take much internal pressure to overcome those axle seals, especially on older vehicles.
Larry
One other place to check for leaky seals--the axles. If they go, the rear parking brakes and/or disc pads can get soaked with lube, ruining the brakes.
If you find bad seals, the auto part stores sell the weird socket(there are several different sizes) (thank you Mr Ford) to remove the rear axles.
The springs, etc come with all the little parts in a kit, if the parts are really rusty. Take your time on those parking brake shoes, getting them centered and adjusted as close as possible to the drum hat in the rotor. The cable for the parking brake doesn't have a lot of range of adjustment.
If a leak is just developing, but not bad enough to show on the backing plate or inside of tire rim, you may have to pull the rotors to inspect the axle seals. It doesn't take much internal pressure to overcome those axle seals, especially on older vehicles.
Larry
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