Rear axle question

[idiocrates]

On my m38a-1.....I've found the casting markings which indicate that its a dana 44 axle......out on the ends of the axle housings where the backing plates bolt on there is a grease zerk for shooting grease into the outer axle bearing. About a third of the way around the axle housing there is another fitting with a spring loaded plunger. In the Ord 9 manual it lists this as a 4# relief valve. Does this thing protect the inner seal from rupturing if you try to pump too much grease into the bearing cavity or is it just there to relieve any built up atmospheric pressure in the axle housing?

Jim

[wesk]

The grease fitting was eventually deleted by the Army because too many guys were overgreasing and rupturing seals and fouling brakes. The vent is for the atmospheric issues.