Keeping mud outta diffs

braxton357 said:
It's actually something that's done on plenty of military vehicles all over the world as well as other vehicles that see water. It doesn't affect your seals...the air goes out the vent. That's what it's for.:flipoff2:
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I believe they called it the fording option.
 
greg slade said:
I believe they called it the fording option.
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Anybody have any more info on the pressurizing the axles idea? I just had to pay 260some dollars to replace my rear rear hub bearings and seals cause one side locked up on me and when I was taking the axle apart found the other side bearings were bad as well.

It just strikes me as odd that I'm getting so much mud in my rear 70 for two reasons. One my front 60 gets hardly anything in it, and two the K5 see's mud almost literally every weekend and has yet to get any in the 14 bolt????

Anyway, I'm really interested in trying to get the axle pressurized thing setup if anyone has any more info on that, like mainly what PSI (I'm thinking it can't be more than 1 to 2 psi) should be run to the axles to not have it Immediatly blow out the seals. Also would you just run the compressor lines to the diff breathers?
 
If you plug your vent, it will pressurize itself as it gets warm. All that will do is blow your seals out faster. The only real option you have is to get better seals, inspect the axle shaft for wear (where it meets the seal), or stay out of the mud.
IMO, the diff that is taking on mud is either more worn out than the other, or it is running hotter, therefore sucking in more crap when submerged.
 
strange1 said:
If you plug your vent, it will pressurize itself as it gets warm. All that will do is blow your seals out faster. The only real option you have is to get better seals, inspect the axle shaft for wear (where it meets the seal), or stay out of the mud.
IMO, the diff that is taking on mud is either more worn out than the other, or it is running hotter, therefore sucking in more crap when submerged.
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Well i mean the other guys above were talking about pressurizing the axle like it is a common thing for military vehicles?

The seals on the 70 don't ride on the axle shaft anyway since its a full floating axle they ride on the backside of the hub on the spindle.

the diff itself doesnt take in mud/water its the seals out at the hub that do which destroys my hub bearings apparantly, :rolleyes:

But if military vehicles do the pressurizing thing then why couldn't I follow suit? It's not like I'd keep it pressurized at all times, just would flip the switch before i hit the mud and turn it off when I was done.
 
I would try to find a 2-3 psi pressure pop-off type valve. Run it on your axle breather line (with a vented filter at the end)then a small compressor & tank with the air line to the diff regulated at 2-3 psi so when your diff hits the cold mud & the hot air & oil begins to contract then the compressor or air tank would continue to keep the diff pressurized & push out mud-- maybe a propane type regulator I when I was building fuel & hyd tanks I would test them with an adjustable propane regulator that went from 0 to 55 psi hope this helps good luck
 
sounds like you're saying I should run two seperate lines to the diff, one for the compressor line and one for the vent with a pop off valve, that definitly makes since to me.

Should the compressor line be regulated as well as the breather tube since it would be technically "regulating" the presure by not letting more than 2 to 3 psi stay in the diff via the pop off valve?

I could probably get one of those cheapo $30 portable air compresoors they sell at autozone. Would that be able to hold a consistant 2 to 3 psi?

If not what kinda compressor power rating should i be looking for?
 
I would get something decent that way you have good on-board air. You need a tank- Just the air going into the diff MUST be regulated the object of this is to hold a positive 2-3 psi & I would try 1 line first just "t" your positive air into the breather line that way to much will go out the pop-off valve & still keep your positive pressure be aware more to much psi will blow your seals
 
Oh ok cool, that makes since to t it into the breather line

What kinda compressor should I look to get? IE: cfm/ horsepower/etc? Cheapest would be best cause I'm not really lookin to run tool off it just to power the axle fording option and then it would be nice to be able to inflate a tire.

Are there any models that are a little more "water friendly" cause I don't really have a spot in my jeep that stays dry, i guess I was thinkin if i have to I can mount like a toolbox in the bed and have the compressor in there to keep it dry, plus then I'd have room to store tools/gear. Only problem with that is if the compressor is inside the toolbox it wont be able to draw much air. Maybe I can mount it behind my dash in the cowl area and box around it kinda to sheild it from mud/water
 
jrraw23 said:
Oh ok cool, that makes since to t it into the breather line
What kinda compressor should I look to get? IE: cfm/ horsepower/etc? Cheapest would be best cause I'm not really lookin to run tool off it just to power the axle fording option and then it would be nice to be able to inflate a tire.
Are there any models that are a little more "water friendly" cause I don't really have a spot in my jeep that stays dry, i guess I was thinkin if i have to I can mount like a toolbox in the bed and have the compressor in there to keep it dry, plus then I'd have room to store tools/gear. Only problem with that is if the compressor is inside the toolbox it wont be able to draw much air. Maybe I can mount it behind my dash in the cowl area and box around it kinda to sheild it from mud/water
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Some things you need to figure out on your own..lol But for the right price you can drop off your Z71jeep & a credit card & I'll fix you up:flipoff2:
 
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