43-8 Rear Axle, 1963 3B

[johnnybravo]

I am doing a brake job on the 63 because the rear seals blew out and grease leaked into drums. I searched all over the axle for the breather and found an estimated eighth diameter hole on each end of the axle tubes about two inches inward from the backing plate. I cleaned them out with a piece of stiff wire and determined they were drilled thorough the tube. Are these holes for axle breathing and if so, they must clog every time you go off road and blow the axle seals? This my first CJ3B.

[johnnybravo]

...trying to post photo of axle end and Browse button does not appear in Tech Talk.  Am I doing something wrong?  The Website Feedback Section has the button and photo posted OK.

[athawk11]

Hey Johny,

I am not familiar with the axle on 3Bs, but the holes you are describing are the breathers on the top of my 3A axle tube. (Dana 41)

As described by others, they can and will get clogged, and if they do, the axle lube will push through the seals and gaskets on the axle.  If you go 'Muddin', best to check them and clean them out if needed.

There are some discussion on posting pictures on the site.  Hosting sites like Photobucket (free) are the only consistant way to get the photos on the Tech page.  Look at the Web site feed back page and you will find pretty good instructions.

Tim

[rocketeer]

The holes on top and directly inboard of the backing plate are grease relief holes when greasing the bearings. The actual breathing vent location is show below.



Larry