cable from rear diff???

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kevwill

kevwill

Active Member
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Had to go and pick the mother in law up from Gatwick today, and after setting off with the window wound down heard a rattling sound from under the motor. Sounded as if my exhaust was full of pebbles. Its a 4.6 p38 by the way, gems 1998. Pulled over in a lay by and had a quick look underneath, but even with the engine running the rattle was hardly there and couldn't really make out where it was coming from. So, continued on my way, car drove nicely there and back.
When I got home had another look underneath, and from the back noticed a loose thick cable, with the sheared end rattling on the underside, originating from the rear diff. Its about the thickness of a tv coax cable, and I can't see where its come disconnected from. It reaches nearly half way down the car.
Anyone know what it is? As I say, car is driving fine with no warning lights, so I'm a bit confused dot.com:confused:
 
Sure it's not just the diff breather pipe? Although i cant imagine it making much of a noise as it's just hollow plastic.:confused:
 
kevwill said:
Had to go and pick the mother in law up from Gatwick today, and after setting off with the window wound down heard a rattling sound from under the motor. Sounded as if my exhaust was full of pebbles. Its a 4.6 p38 by the way, gems 1998. Pulled over in a lay by and had a quick look underneath, but even with the engine running the rattle was hardly there and couldn't really make out where it was coming from. So, continued on my way, car drove nicely there and back.
When I got home had another look underneath, and from the back noticed a loose thick cable, with the sheared end rattling on the underside, originating from the rear diff. Its about the thickness of a tv coax cable, and I can't see where its come disconnected from. It reaches nearly half way down the car.
Anyone know what it is? As I say, car is driving fine with no warning lights, so I'm a bit confused dot.com:confused:
Click to expand...
No cable from the diff, a breather should be there. If it's a cable, what sort of cable, does it go into the diff? I suppose you could have some sort of difflock fitted if you are lucky.
 
martynv8 said:
Sure it's not just the diff breather pipe? Although i cant imagine it making much of a noise as it's just hollow plastic.:confused:
Click to expand...

Ah, may well be, cheers for that. Do you know where its supposed to sit; if its a breather I guess it's supposed to clip in somewhere out of the way. And yes, was surprised it seemed to make so much noise (but only with the window down, couldn't hear a thing in the cabin with the window up). I tucked it out of the way behind the axle and just moved the rangey, and no rattling noise now; so hoping that's all it was.
 
Datatek said:
No cable from the diff, a breather should be there. If it's a cable, what sort of cable, does it go into the diff? I suppose you could have some sort of difflock fitted if you are lucky.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Just been out to check, and yes its the plastic breather pipe. It has obviously dragged along the road at some point and frayed/ melted the end, so it looked like a solid cable, I'll get the mother in law to bite the end off. You know what its like when you've got to get somewhere, you hear a rattle, and then spend the rest of the journey expecting disaster:eek:. Do you know where its supposed to attach/clip to??
 
kevwill said:
Thanks. Just been out to check, and yes its the plastic breather pipe. It has obviously dragged along the road at some point and frayed/ melted the end, so it looked like a solid cable, I'll get the mother in law to bite the end off. You know what its like when you've got to get somewhere, you hear a rattle, and then spend the rest of the journey expecting disaster:eek:. Do you know where its supposed to attach/clip to??
Click to expand...

If it's the same as mine there is a connector on the top of the axle to the right of the diff housing. Mine is a push fit of the tube into a pipe connector.
 
martynv8 said:
If it's the same as mine there is a connector on the top of the axle to the right of the diff housing. Mine is a push fit of the tube into a pipe connector.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that martynv8, i'll get down and dirty in the morning and have a good look. Its still connected to the diff housing at one end, and about a meter of plastic pipe flapping about.
 
wammers said:
Only cable on the diff is the safety cable for the axle damper. :);)
Click to expand...

Ah, interesting, thanks wammers. How should that connect? Its connected to the diff housing at one end, but I don't know where the other end goes. It's quite a long length (about a meter), and looks as if it had some pre shaping in it.
What does the safety cable do?
 
kevwill said:
Ah, interesting, thanks wammers. How should that connect? Its connected to the diff housing at one end, but I don't know where the other end goes. It's quite a long length (about a meter), and looks as if it had some pre shaping in it.
What does the safety cable do?
Click to expand...

Should be more like 10 inches long if it's the safety cable. Has a crimped loop in both ends. One loop goes under the nut and washer that attaches the damper rubber to the bracket and the other end under the nut and washer holding the damper to the other end of the rubber. If the rubber fails the cable stops the heavy damper from falling off onto the road. Damper and bracket should be attached to left, N/S side of diff. The breather should be a 6mm plastic pipe that fits into a position at the right O/S top of the axle casing. Other end should have a inverted U shaped bend in it.
 
Last edited:
kevwill said:
Ah, interesting, thanks wammers. How should that connect? Its connected to the diff housing at one end, but I don't know where the other end goes. It's quite a long length (about a meter), and looks as if it had some pre shaping in it.
What does the safety cable do?
Click to expand...

Definitely the diff breather, i'm pretty sure it clips up near the fuel tank. I'm checking my diff fluids / UJ's today so will have a better look.
 
martynv8 said:
Definitely the diff breather, i'm pretty sure it clips up near the fuel tank. I'm checking my diff fluids / UJ's today so will have a better look.
Click to expand...

Thanks buddy. Just been under the car, and you are right it's the breather hose. Actually comes out of the axle housing on the drivers side, and obviously broken free from where it's supposed to be clipped to. Think it must have been floating about the inside of the rear wheel - hence horrible noise:eek: If you could let me know where yours clips up too would be much appreciated. I'll get me cable ties out.
 
wammers said:
Should be more like 10 inches long if it's the safety cable. Has a crimped loop in both ends. One loop goes under the nut and washer that attaches the damper rubber to the bracket and the other end under the nut and washer holding the damper to the other end of the rubber. If the rubber fails the cable stops the heavy damper from falling off onto the road. Damper and bracket should be attached to left, N/S side of diff. The breather should be a 6mm plastic pipe that fits into a position at the right O/S top of the axle casing. Other end should have a inverted U shaped bend in it.
Click to expand...

Thanks wammer. Yep, tis the breather hose in the position you say. Looks like it may well have had a u bend shape at the other end; somewhat disfigured from bashing about the inside rear wheel when its come loose.
 
Here you go fella,
took some images of the breather pipe fitting to the axle & the location of the top of the pipe, it clips into the shround around the drivers side shocker.

martynv8-albums-p38-vogue-se-2002-picture15778-breather-1.jpg


martynv8-albums-p38-vogue-se-2002-picture15779-breather-2.jpg
 
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