Rear Axle Breathers

[kozelding]

So I have (I believe) the original rear axle in a BT7. Along the top of it, there are 2 threaded holes — I assume for breathers.

Moss sells these plastic things (https://mossmotors.com/breather?assoc=84049), which are way too big. Is there an alternate breather type (of smaller diameter)? Or am I confused?

 

[Jerry]

I just put one on my axle. I re-threaded the hole to fit the plastic breather. I don't know why you would have two holes. Can you post a picture of where the holes are?

 

[kozelding]

Huh, I have 2 holes, one on each side of the pumpkin: one where the Moss diagram shows, and the other mirrored on the other side.

But you had to drill and tap to accommodate the plastic breather?

 

[Jerry]

Yes, drill and tap, but I had the axle out and was going to replace all the bearings and clean it up anyway. There is very little drilling required, a small size adjustment, and you may be able to catch the scarf with a magnet.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Packing the drill bit with a heavy grease will catch most of the scarf.

 

[BBH]

Rover Land uses a similar axle breather (515845) but of better quality, in brass and incorporating a ball-type non-return valve to exclude water and dirt.
[FONT=Verdana, Arial]They are available from Land Rover dealers or on the internet from a variety of sources. The pack I ordered had two brass breather assemblies for just under £5[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial]They screw into the original breather hole in the axle.[/FONT]

 

[John Turney]

My axles have only one hole for a breather. One was a BN4 axle, and the other a BJ7.

When I changed axles, I moved the breather from the BN4 axle to the BJ7 one. It is threaded, plastic and not as tall.

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

When I restored my BJ8 I found the breather damaged and purchased one from, I think, BCS, for a Land Rover.

 

[kozelding]

Ooo, I like the Land Rover 515845 option. Thank you!

 

[Bob_Spidell]

It took me a while to remember, but I got a LR breather for my BJ8; definitely a quality piece.

 

[chicken]

Does anyone know what size the thread is for the metal breather as i need to re-tap my axle to take the thread ?
Rob

 

[kozelding]

Yes, for the Land Rover breather (# 515845), I used an M10-1 tap (which calls for a 9.1mm drill bit).

 

[chicken]

Yes, for the Land Rover breather (# 515845), I used an M10-1 tap (which calls for a 9.1mm drill bit).

Great thanks

 

[dougie]

We have to run the breather into a catch tank to meet the regulations for vintage racing.

 

[Editor_Reid]

Dougie, you're an artist!

 

[dougie]

Dougie, you're an artist!

Thanks Reid

 

[twas_brillig]

AH Spares lists a single breather for all rear axles assemblies, part number RAX 149, OE part number 1H3364, for all models, 2.59 pounds.
Dougie: wow! that big red box is one heck of a huge catch can!
(Apologies, insincere though they may be, for my sense of humour). from also a Doug.

 

[Joe A]

That catch box looks to be just about the right size if at least one of the collection hoses runs to a sump with pump that attaches to the frame and runs the length of the car, sucking up the output of all the leaks from the differential and up through just behind the water pump.