PV544 Rear axle breather

norustplease · Mar 2nd, 2021, 09:54

After taking the car for a run following a fairly lengthy lay off during the Covid lockdown, my 1964 PV544 with Spicer rear axle has recently been dropping a few spots of oil from the rear axle diff area. The casing shows a small drip on the rear flange suggesting that there may be a leak from the rear diff cover gasket. However I am conscious that a pinion seal leak might also blow back along the underside of the casing and drip off from the rear flange. I am in the process of cleaning the area off in the hopes of getting a better idea of where the leak is.
I have seen references on the forum to a breather on the rear axle, but I can see no sign of one on either my car, or the spare axle that I have lying around.
Is there a breather, and if so, where? I am obviously reluctant to start pulling the axle to pieces if the issue is simply a blocked breather pressurising the casing and forcing oil out.

Army · Mar 2nd, 2021, 10:34

If I remember correctly it is on the left hand side axle tube on my car.

I think I remember thinking "oh that's not the same as my Mercedes"

As for pressure build up - I doubt very much if there's gonna be an effect that would be easy to measure from a back axle. It isn't like blow-by on an engine.

Just clean it out with a solvent - it'll come good.

Derek UK · Mar 2nd, 2021, 12:29

I think that it's a small tube that sticks out of the top of the axle casing near the diff. They might have also had a small rubber hose on them, I've not checked the parts book.

Ron Kwas · Mar 2nd, 2021, 14:46

NRP;

Diff breather is as Derek describes on 122s also...look for a small dia tube departing the top of axle tube.

Cheers

norustplease · Mar 2nd, 2021, 15:53

Thanks for this everyone. I think that I can see it now. I will put the car up on the ramps and have a proper crawl underneath tomorrow.
Oddly enough, the spare axle that I have, which is a Spicer, but is from a slightly earlier 544 (had a B16 engine), does not seem to have anything at all on the axle tubes, but has a drilling in the left hand web of the diff casing (looking from the front of the car)

norustplease · Mar 5th, 2021, 09:11

Hi all
Found the breather, a small diameter pipe on top of the left hand axle tube, not far from the axle mounting onto the suspension arm. Hiding under a large clod of mud, etc. I have cleaned it and once I have finished the general clean up of axle and suspension, I will see if it fixes the problem.

Mar 2nd, 2021, 09:54	#1
norustplease Junior Member Last Online: Apr 16th, 2024 16:05 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Preston	PV544 Rear axle breather After taking the car for a run following a fairly lengthy lay off during the Covid lockdown, my 1964 PV544 with Spicer rear axle has recently been dropping a few spots of oil from the rear axle diff area. The casing shows a small drip on the rear flange suggesting that there may be a leak from the rear diff cover gasket. However I am conscious that a pinion seal leak might also blow back along the underside of the casing and drip off from the rear flange. I am in the process of cleaning the area off in the hopes of getting a better idea of where the leak is. I have seen references on the forum to a breather on the rear axle, but I can see no sign of one on either my car, or the spare axle that I have lying around. Is there a breather, and if so, where? I am obviously reluctant to start pulling the axle to pieces if the issue is simply a blocked breather pressurising the casing and forcing oil out.

Mar 2nd, 2021, 10:34	#2
Army marches on his stomach Last Online: Feb 11th, 2022 03:15 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Somewhere in the Netherlands	If I remember correctly it is on the left hand side axle tube on my car. I think I remember thinking "oh that's not the same as my Mercedes" As for pressure build up - I doubt very much if there's gonna be an effect that would be easy to measure from a back axle. It isn't like blow-by on an engine. Just clean it out with a solvent - it'll come good. __________________ 1961 Volvo PV544 the quick and easy in between project(!) 1981 Mercedes 300D <=> 230 diesel to petrol conversion project 1965 Series 2a Station Wagon mega build 1992 Mercedes 190E The car that works!

Mar 2nd, 2021, 12:29	#3
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Today 14:24 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	I think that it's a small tube that sticks out of the top of the axle casing near the diff. They might have also had a small rubber hose on them, I've not checked the parts book.

Mar 2nd, 2021, 14:46	#4
Ron Kwas Premier Member Last Online: Today 13:22 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Connecticut, USA	NRP; Diff breather is as Derek describes on 122s also...look for a small dia tube departing the top of axle tube. Cheers

Mar 2nd, 2021, 15:53	#5
norustplease Junior Member Last Online: Apr 16th, 2024 16:05 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Preston	Thanks for this everyone. I think that I can see it now. I will put the car up on the ramps and have a proper crawl underneath tomorrow. Oddly enough, the spare axle that I have, which is a Spicer, but is from a slightly earlier 544 (had a B16 engine), does not seem to have anything at all on the axle tubes, but has a drilling in the left hand web of the diff casing (looking from the front of the car)

Mar 5th, 2021, 09:11	#6
norustplease Junior Member Last Online: Apr 16th, 2024 16:05 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Preston	Hi all Found the breather, a small diameter pipe on top of the left hand axle tube, not far from the axle mounting onto the suspension arm. Hiding under a large clod of mud, etc. I have cleaned it and once I have finished the general clean up of axle and suspension, I will see if it fixes the problem.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)