My '97 F150 leaks differential fluid from the front axle tube vent on many occasion. A TSB has been put out on the problem, however I could not extract any real information from the dealer other than its a $237 dollar fix. I'd like to perform this myself if possible, but could use more background info.

[This message has been edited by pjshortbox (edited 08-24-2000).]

 

Whoa! $237???

Axle manufacturers often use tubes (rubber/flexible) to reposition the breather vent higher up on the frame.

I haven't bothered to look at mine. Where does it vent? Is it an umbrella hook?

Breathers are often problematic, since they are a source for moisture -- both from the normal 'breathing' that an axle does every heat/cool cycle -- and from the standpoint of collecting spray from over-zealous spray-washing and from in-path water spray from tires.

Where is your breather? Is it weeping or dripping or what?

Do you often submerge your axle housing in water/mud?



------------------
Y2K™ Jim

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

Hey Y2,

237 bucks doesn't sound right to me either, pretty much why I'm here.

Its a rubber tube that runs up to the inside of the front right fender and the end is attached to the "skirt" of the fender. I would classify this as a weep, but sometimes an excessive amount comes out because the liquid can be spotted on the back side of the wheel well when standing to the side of the truck. This is a new truck for me but I don't believe it has much off-road experience such as the axle being submerged in mud/water.

Do you know of an information data base I can look into to find out more about the TSB on this problem?

Thanks for your input

 

Well, here's the thread of communication I had with the NTSB a few weeks ago (Hope you can read from the bottom up - grin):

Dear Consumer
If you would like to order all bulletins on a certain make, you can do s
o without listing them all. The bulletins would be sent via mail. Also, when
requesting the bulletins, there will be an immediate response, giving the pri
ce, as it may vary depending on the amount of bulletins.

Thank You Kindly,
NHTSA Webmaster

>>> (to me) 07/06/00 09:51AM >>>
Dear Kindly NHTSA Webmaster:

That's what I was looking for -- Would it be too presumptive to request all
bulletins on a particular year and model (for example, if I asked them for
TSB's relating to the Y2K model F-150 -- even if I listed them all by
number) -- would that be too much to ask?

Are they sent via email? PDF? snailmail? And, the big one: What is the fee
per bulletin/request?

Thank you, in advance, for your help.

(me)
Kalamazoo, MI


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Webmaster <NHTSA> [mailto:Webmaster@nhtsa.dot.gov]
> Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2000 9:07 AM
> To: (me)
> Subject: RE: Where's the Beef?
>
>
> Dear James
> Yes, I'm sorry. In order to receive a full copy of a TSB,
> you can send y
> our request to tis@nhtsa.dot.gov. Please include the following:
>
> year, make, and model
> NHTSA item
> service bulletin
> date of bulletin
> return mailing address.
>
> Thank You Kindly,
> NHTSA Webmaster
>
> >>> (me) 07/05/00 03:17PM >>>
> Dear Webmaster:
>
> I had already been there -- it appears to be merely a listing of
> (restated -- an Index of) the service bulleting.
>
> Do you make the Content of the bulleting available to the public?
>

>
> (me)
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Webmaster <NHTSA> [mailto:Webmaster@nhtsa.dot.gov]
> > Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2000 9:20 AM
> > To: (me)
> > Subject: Re: Where's the Beef?
> >
> >
> > Dear Consumer
> > In order to search for service bulletins, you can go to our
> > website at w
> > ww.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems.
> >
> > Thank You Kindly,
> > NHTSA Webmaster
> >
> > >>> (me) 07/03/00 06:55PM >>>
> >
> > re: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/proble...ervicemmy5.cfm
> >
> > Where does one obtain or view the details of bulletins identified by
> > your service?
> >
> > (me)
> >

So..............

Steve's got a new link on this web for the NTSB -- go there, get the TSB and good luck.