[shano63]

Tried searching around, problem is I'm not sure what to call it..lol 04 rubicon with northeast rust issues. I'm guessing it's some sort of nipple that the air line attaches to on top of the axle. Whatever it was, has rusted away on both of my axles. Both of my airlines are connected to nothing. I'm sure I'm not the first one to go through this. What are my options to fix? I've been googling and searching but coming up empty. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[johncanfield]

Rusting of that air line attachment at the pumpkin in not unusual - especially for the northern states. I forgot if that nipple is pressed in or is threaded. You can check parts diagrams or check with your dealer. Maybe someone else knows.

 

[shano63]

Didn'tthink about a parts diagram. Thanks, John

 

[MooseHead]

i had this issue when i bought my LJ a few years ago pumps were seized up and full of water, lines into the axle rotted off, memorys not there now but i believe i looked around a bit and couldnt find the fittings and didnt want to pay 400$ for a set of new air pumps, being inexperienced i tried drilling and fitting the diff cover first thinking thats a little less devastating if i mess up, leaked nonstop and the line kept kinking or coming undone, its pretty difficult to work in that area with those little fittings no one seems to make hose clamps of any kind that small, ended up doing away with that and welding some 1/4" air fittings together and through the diff in a spot where there was room, i was trussing the axles at this time so they were out of the jeep and stripped and cleaned already, this worked better but i was using a small tank and ball valves to try and fill the tank to 8psi and then open the valves to the lockers i didnt end up using them much.. im in the process of reworking them a little now and can let you know what i come up with try and grab some pics while im at it but thatll be a few weeks

 

[shano63]

I appreciate the reply and would love some pics. I'm in no real rush, it's too dang cold to be working on it anyway. Many thanks

 

[MooseHead]

sorry not to get back to you havent worked on the jeep much lately, winter in canada and all.. quit on my recently wont start up once its warm now so i gotta deal with that first before i redo my airlines

 

[shano63]

No worries, I've, we've, all got more important things going on right now. I'm really in no rush.There's so much rust, I was even thinking about getting new housings altogether.

 

[williambmac]

I recently replaced both the fittings on my lj. it's quite simple. remove your diff covers, disconnect the internal air line and knock the fitting out with a small punch.
The fitting is a press fit, I cleaned out the hole with brake clean and a rag, applied some Loctite to the fitting and tapped it in with a punch and hammer.
The fittings were 28.00 each, I think.

 

[johncanfield]

Most excellent! We've had people reporting that fitting was rusted to the point where it leaks air. Thanks for the post.

 

[MooseHead]

I recently replaced both the fittings on my lj. it's quite simple. remove your diff covers, disconnect the internal air line and knock the fitting out with a small punch.
The fitting is a press fit, I cleaned out the hole with brake clean and a rag, applied some Loctite to the fitting and tapped it in with a punch and hammer.
The fittings were 28.00 each, I think.

thats the ticket right there... i remember argueing on the phone with the dealership parts guy for an hour that they must be a replacable part but he was adamant they were part of the axle housing

 

[shano63]

Awesome william, many thanks. I'll be heading to the dealership this week.

 

[VR549]

Thank you, I was trying to solve this issue on my rear axle. Part # really helps. No dealership run-around.

 

[shano63]

Just ordered them up online, $38 a piece, pricey but it'll be fixed. Thanks again

 

[chad734]

I just looked up the part number and now they want over $100... and some are advertising $169, what in the world? I know with COVID everything has become more expensive, ie paper products but this part can't cost more than $10 to make, there are enough available so I don't think the are not being manufactured anymore but what gives???

 

[MooseHead]

Just grab a double barb/hose mender drill out the factory fitting clean the area up nice and good and weld er in, have a oil tight fitting with a barb on the inside and outside, make sure you get a steel fitting not brass.. or can attempt jb weld but doesnt sound ideal

2$ fix instead of 150$, you might need a few sizes of tubing/hose and some tiny hose clamps/spring clamps


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[IndyJeeper]

I just looked up the part number and now they want over $100... and some are advertising $169, what in the world? I know with COVID everything has become more expensive, ie paper products but this part can't cost more than $10 to make, there are enough available so I don't think the are not being manufactured anymore but what gives???

You can use 3/16 vacuum line and run it directly into the differential. The hole for the fitting is a tight fit on the hose. Then put some RTV on it to seal it off. Someone else recommended it to me and I did it on my 05. It works great.

 

[Norminator]

All the RTV uses I know are only secondary to the clamping pressure of the bolts around it. I’d spend the money and do it as designed. Consider how long the part lasted until you had to replace it.

 

[KMG]

Also think of the damage that will happen if it leaks and you're unaware until it's too late.

 

[johncanfield]

Isn't the air fitting above the level of the diff oil?

 

[KMG]

Isn't the air fitting above the level of the diff oil?

I should have been more specific. I meant water leaking in during water crossings.