Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Diff breather 87 4/4

I have just sleeved the tail shaft spigot and added a new seal to hopefully stop the perennial oil leak and in the process the diff specialist here in Perth expressed great surprise that there is no breather hole, pipe , vent or similar anywhere on the diff assembly. He can't recall this feature on any other vehicle and whilst saying there must be a reason for this , he can't think what it may be.
Anyone know why an 87 4/4 with a Salisbury diff might be this way or if indeed it is a more widespread feature ?

Very unusual on a standard production rear axle. The hole isn't hidden by an accumulation of grime is it?
I would be inclined to fit a breather - in the rear cover if necessary.

From Morganatica:
Routine servicing
Oils should be drained and replaced every 5,000 miles. An extreme pressure SAE 90 hypoid [GL5 in current specifications - PJB] lubricant should be used. Do not mix oils. There is a vent hole about four inches to the right of the junction of the right hand axle tube and the centre banjo. This could be on the top or at the side. Make sure this hasn't been sealed over with paint. NOTE Quality control at the Salisbury factory was problematical and on some assemblies this breather hole may have been overlooked. On one axle it was found on the underside, not a good idea!

On previous cars of mine, the breather hole was to be found facing rearward, at the location described in Morganatica.

IIRC, it was suggested that this (small) hole should be checked and/or cleared, by gently inserting and twisting by hand an appropriately sized drill bit.

May I respectfully suggest that your specialist looks again, it is a very small hole!

On the Salisbury axle there are also small outlets/holes near/on the backplates diagonally opposite the grease-nipples, alledgedly to vent grease if over-lubricated.These might also help vent the axle ?

Andrew Green
Glorious Devon
2002 Plus 8 Le Mans 62

thanks for all of the responses. I steam cleaned but I cannot see any hole in the tubes on either side any where.I'll look again tomorrow with more lights and mirrors but for now am watching and waiting for our test come back in Cardiff !!

Come back - it's gone

@ 2/22 I don't think so !

...ummmm. Maybe.

But 50/6 would be better than some this morning.

After much scraping yes there is a small hole in the outboard location which took just a 2mm drill bit to open up and naturally of course was painted over and only first found as a small dimple like indentation in the paint. My diff man is putting it politely rather sceptical of its value as a breather vent at that position and of that size so we are now
looking at a practical solution