Rear Axle leaking oil out of the breather

[Alpine Addict]

My Series 5 is leaking oil out of the breather.
I have replaced the diff with one from a parts car.
Replaced all seals
breather is not blocked.
The car still has the same symptoms I started with.
Anyone have any ideas?

 

[twautomotive]

Leaking oil?? Did you mean 90W gear lube?

 

[Alpine Addict]

That is correct

 

[SoCal'beaming]

Well ... most times it's an overfill issue .. there should be some sort of check ball/valve in the breather .. does it rattle when removed and shaken? if you suck on it you shouldn't be able to draw air though it. I've only had that problem off-roading w/ a 4x and water over the diff. and accumulating in the housing as well as driving it up steep roads(trails) or alot of hard cornering.. Less likely is a bad pinion, carrier bearing or ring to pinion mesh which can create a heck of a lot of heat, foaming and expansion in the housing. A remote breather is an option if everything checks out okay.

.... David

 

[ausbeam]

My Series 5 is leaking oil out of the breather.
I have replaced the diff with one from a parts car.
Replaced all seals
breather is not blocked.
The car still has the same symptoms I started with.
Anyone have any ideas?

I placed a piece of clear tube over the vent cap and suspended it above the breather, no more problems.

 

[Jay Laifman]

I agree that likely overfill. Another possibility is lube is too thin.

I'm not sure that the check ball is supposed to stop you from drawing air. I believe that is the exact purpose of the vent - when the heat inside the rear end causes pressure, it needs somewhere to go out rather than through the seals. I think the ball is the opposite - to stop dirt and water from getting IN the rear end.

 

[SoCal'beaming]

I agree that likely overfill. Another possibility is lube is too thin.

I'm not sure that the check ball is supposed to stop you from drawing air. I believe that is the exact purpose of the vent - when the heat inside the rear end causes pressure, it needs somewhere to go out rather than through the seals. I think the ball is the opposite - to stop dirt and water from getting IN the rear end.

Jay ..I meant sucking from the treaded end not the cap end which in theory means it was serving it's purpose to keep dirt and water out. But in some cases like running thru deep water .. which I'm sure most Alpine owners avoid like the Plague over powers that mechanism and actually will draw water in as with an off-road/4x .. Had it happen to me and others I know.

..... David

 

[Jay Laifman]

Ha! Einstein's theory about the observer's position comes through again!

 

[Slainte]

I had the same problem years ago. If I recall, I solved it using the tube extension mentioned above. I've since replaced the entire unit, so I can't crawl under to check if my memory is correct.

 

[Alpine Addict]

I put 200 miles on the car and only a small amount came out so I am good