Thanks for adding on!I've posted on this before. Not sure where I heard about it, but it makes sense. As air in the diff heats up, it expands and needs to escape thru the vent tube otherwise pressure builds up forcing air (and fluid) past the seals. It would seem that an adequate vent would save GM a lot of money and customers a lot of grief. When my seals were replaced, I did not explicitly ask about the vent tube. Did they replace it? I dunno. Is there some way to service it ourselves to keep it open? Again, I dunno. I would like to learn more if anyone can shed further light on this.
I was hoping you would answer, I always enjoy reading, and learning something from, your posts. Please never leave the ATS subforum haha.This is what it looks like, you can replace it but I just unscrew it and clean it once a year: ACDelco® 23156298 - GM Original Equipment™ Rear Straight Axle Vent Tube
Basically a complex piece of non-functional low quality c**p that replaces the simple vent tube used on most axle applications.
Note with a clogged vent tube, not only will it vent fluid through a seal when hot (pressure is going to find a spot to vent) it will also draw air and any other stuff built up around the compromised seal area when it cools. A vent tube is intended to keep the axle breathing point where it won't normally suck in water and road grit which a small hose extending slightly above the axle does admirably as it has done for decades.
Rodger
Can you provide more detail on the cleaning process? Do you jack the rear of the car up? Is the vent tube easy enough to get to? Are any special tools needed? Do you just spray water or pressurized air through it? This is my first RWD car so this is completely new to me, thanks.