Redneck 8.25 vent fix

[AMC Diplomat]

I broke the vent off my 8 1/4" trying to clean it out. I drilled it out and tapped it for a brass fitting, because that's what I had. Maybe someone will find this useful someday.

The brake clean ate the week old tractor paint off, it was still soft. But the rustoleum rusty metal primer held up ok

 

[GregG48213]

drilled it out and tapped it

...And you kept a vacuum cleaner running on it to suck up the metal shavings and debris.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

...And you kept a vacuum cleaner running on it to suck up the metal shavings and debris.

The cover was off, the axle on that side was lifted higher for the benefit of gravity, and I stopped and cleaned and flushed it with brake clean as I went.

Like I said, redneck repair. This entire axle was part of a $100 lot that included the rear sway bar mounts and the police shackles.

The right way to do it would have meant taking out the axles and center section. That's a lot of work for a used axle, and not nearly as fun. I'm not a machine shop. I'm a hack and this is my hobby car. Heck, the paint I used was left over from painting the car with a roller last year.

I have some nylon fuel line that I'll shrink onto the brass barb, and then I'll have a vent I can route anywhere and cut down on any clogging. If it does, I can just slice it off and add another.

 

[Chilsam]

I coat drill bits n taps with axle grease to HELP with shavings..

 

[AMC Diplomat]

I coat drill bits n taps with axle grease to HELP with shavings..

Grease is great to keep chips from flying everywhere

 

[volare 1977]

Originally didn`t that tube push in the axle hole like a oil dip stick tube. Press fit?

 

[SRTMirada]

My car was missing the vent tube, probably from day one. I bent up a replacement using a dipstick tube. I made up a tool to drive it into the housing. It looks totally original. I can take pictures if anyone's interested.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

My car was missing the vent tube, probably from day one. I bent up a replacement using a dipstick tube. I made up a tool to drive it into the housing. It looks totally original. I can take pictures if anyone's interested.

Absolutely interested. This could help the next guy.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

Originally didn`t that tube push in the axle hole like a oil dip stick tube. Press fit?

yeah something like that. Didn't have anything like that at that moment and i wanted to get it done and move forward

 

[Mikes5thAve]

Originally didn`t that tube push in the axle hole like a oil dip stick tube. Press fit?

Yes but i don't think it had the little flange. There's usually a little hood on the axle tube it went into.

 

[SRTMirada]

Here's the vent tube I made from an oil dipstick tube. It's not fully pressed in as there isn't much room to swing a hammer and I wasn't going to lower the axle just for that.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

Here's the vent tube I made from an oil dipstick tube. It's not fully pressed in as there isn't much room to swing a hammer and I wasn't going to lower the axle just for that.

View attachment 56406

Nice!