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Freightliner Columbia. Manual - part 20

Meritor Drive Axle Recommended Lubricant

Recommended
Lubricant Type

Ambient Temperature

Lubricant SAE

Viscosity Grade

Meritor Specification

Synthetic Gear Oil

–40°F (–40°C) and Up

75W–90

0–76–N

–40°F (–40°C) and Up

75W–140

0–76–M

There is no upper limit on these outside temperatures, but axle sump temperature must never exceed 250°F (121°C).

Table 3, Meritor Drive Axle Recommended Lubricant

Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities

Axle Model

Capacity:

pt (L)

Single-Drive, Single Reduction

†

RS–21–160

39.5 (18.7)

RS–23–160

39.5 (18.7)

RS–23–161

37.2 (17.6)

RS–23–185

47.3 (22.4)

RS–25–160

37.2 (17.6)

Tandem-Drive, Single Reduction

RT–40–145, RT–40–145A,

RT–40–145P

Forward

30.2 (14.3)

Rear

25.8 (12.2)

RT–44–145, RT–44–145P

Forward

29.3 (13.9)

Rear

25.1 (11.9)

RT–46–160, RT–46–160P

Forward

39.1 (18.5)

Rear

34.4 (16.3)

Quantities listed are approximate. Fill axle until lubricant is level with bot-

tom of fill hole with vehicle on level ground.

†

See "Traction Equalizer Additives" in the text.

Table 4, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities

6.2

Install and tighten the fill plug 35 lbf·ft (47
N·m).

Whenever the interaxle differential housing has
been drained, add an additional 2 pints (0.9 L) of
the recommended lubricant directly into the inter-
axle differential housing.

Remove the chocks, then drive the vehicle, un-
loaded, for 1 or 2 miles (2 or 3 km) at speeds
not to exceed 25 mph (40 km/h), to thoroughly
circulate lubricant throughout the carrier and
housing assemblies.

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Fig. 3, Meritor Axle Oil Filter Removal

Rear Axle

35/4

Dana® Spicer®

IMPORTANT: The use of friction modifiers is not
approved in Dana drive axles.

Park the vehicle on level ground, set the parking
brakes, and chock the tires.

Clean the fill plug and the area around it. In the
axle housing rear cover, remove the plug from
the oil fill hole (or standpipe, if installed in the oil
fill hole). See

Fig. 4

Place a drain pan under the rear axle drain plug.
See

Fig. 4

. Drain the oil at normal operating

temperature, 150°F to 200°F (65°C to 93°C). At
this temperature, the oil will run more freely and
ensure that the axle is flushed.

NOTE: Some tandem-drive axles are equipped
with a cylindrical magnetic strainer, located
below the lube pump on the front of the power
divider cover. All rear axles are fitted with mag-
netic drain and fill plugs.

At each axle oil change, remove and clean the
magnetic strainer, if equipped. See

Fig. 5

4.1

Remove the magnetic strainer from the
power divider cover.

WARNING

Always wear eye protection when using com-
pressed air to clean parts, as flying debris could
cause permanent damage to unprotected eyes. Do
not point the air stream in the direction of other
persons.

4.2

Wash the strainer in solvent, and blow it
dry with compressed air to remove oil and
metal particles.

4.3

Install and tighten the magnetic strainer
40 to 60 lbf·ft (54 to 81 N·m).

Clean the fill and drain plugs. Change them if
necessary.

5.1

For magnetic plugs, use a piece of key
stock or any other convenient steel slug
to short the two magnetic poles and divert
the magnetic field.

5.2

Clean away the collected material depos-
ited on each pole. Magnets will rapidly
lose their effectiveness as collected mate-
rial bridges the gap between the two
poles.

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05/27/93

Oil Fill Plug

Oil Drain Plug

Fig. 4, Axle Housing Drain and Fill Plugs

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05/27/93

Magnetic Strainer

Power Divider

Fig. 5, Dana Spicer Tandem-Drive Axle Magnetic

Strainer

Rear Axle

35/5

5.3

After the first oil is changed, inspect the
drain plug each time for large quantities
of metal particles.

5.4

After cleaning, install the drain plug(s)
and tighten to 40 to 60 lbf·ft (54 to 81
N·m).

Fill the axle with the recommended lubricant.
See

Table 5

for recommended drive axle lubri-

cants, and

Table 6

for drive axle lubricant ca-

pacities.

Dana Spicer Drive Axle Recommended Lubricant

Lubricant Type

Condition

Lubricant SAE

Viscosity

Grade

Dana Spicer
Roadranger®
Synthetic Drive Axle
Lubricants, or
Equivalent with
Military Specification
MIL–L–2105D

Over-the-Road
Service

75W–90

Off-Highway
Equipment, or
Under Extra
Heavy Loads

80W–140

Table 5, Dana Spicer Drive Axle Recommended

Lubricant

Dana Spicer Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities

Axle Type

Axle Model

Capacity:

Pints (liters)

Single-Drive Axle Installation

Single
Reduction

23080S, 23080D

40 (18.9)

23105S, 23105D

48 (22.7)

Tandem-Drive Axle Installation

Single
Reduction

DD404, DD404–P

31 (14.7)

†

DS404, DS404–P

39 (18.5)

†

DS461–P

43 (20.3)

†

2-Speed (dual-
range)

DT402, 402–P

34 (16.1)

†

DT451–P

39 (18.5)

†

DT461–P

43 (20.3)

†

Double
Reduction

DP451–P

34 (16.1)

†

DP461–P

43 (20.3)

†

Quantities listed are approximate. Fill axle until lubricant is level with bot-

tom of fill hole with vehicle on level ground.

†

Add 2 pints (1 L) of additional lubricant to the power divider.

Table 6, Dana Spicer Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities

NOTE: Some Dana Spicer axles have a
small tapped and plugged hole near and
below the housing oil fill hole. This smaller
hole is for a lubricant temperature indicator
only, and should not be used as a fill or level
hole.

6.1

With the vehicle on a level surface, fill the
axle through the oil fill hole or standpipe
opening. Lubricant should be level with
the bottom of the oil fill hole, or the top of
the standpipe opening. To check fluid
level, see

Fig. 2

6.2

Install and tighten the fill plug 40 to 60
lbf·ft (54 to 81 N·m).

Two-Speed Axles With Shift Unit

Dana Spicer and Meritor

Remove the shift unit housing cover. See

Fig. 6

Drain and discard the old lubricant. Discard the
housing cover gasket.

Thoroughly wash the axle shift parts and housing
cover, and allow them to air dry.

Install the housing cover and a new cover gas-
ket. Tighten the housing cover capscrews 90 to
110 lbf·in (1020 to 1240 N·cm), then remove the
oil fill plug from the cover.

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Housing Cover Gasket

Oil Fill Plug

Shift Unit Housing Cover

Fig. 6, Two-Speed-Axle Shift Unit

Rear Axle

35/6

IMPORTANT: When the ambient temperature is
above 0°F (–18°C), use SAE 10 heavy-duty en-
gine oil, API service classification SD (sulfated
ash content must not exceed 1.85%). When the
ambient temperature is below 0°F (–18°C), use
one part kerosene to three parts SAE 10 heavy-
duty engine oil, API service classification SD
(sulfated ash content must not exceed 1.85%).
This cold-weather mixture can be safely used
up to 32°F (0°C).

Commercially available automatic transmission
fluid may be used in place of SAE 10 engine oil.
Automatic transmission fluid can be used for all
temperatures; do not mix it with kerosene. To
prevent component damage, do not mix engine
oil and automatic transmission fluid.

Using the recommended lubricant, fill the shift
unit housing through the oil fill hole until the lubri-
cant is level with the bottom of the opening.

Coat the threads of the fill plug with a small
amount of Loctite® 242, or equivalent sealant.
Install the fill plug finger-tight in the rear axle shift
unit housing. Using a wrench, tighten it an addi-
tional 1-1/2 turns.

35–02 Axle Breather and Axle

Lubricant Level
Inspection

For all axles, including tandem-drive axles and two-
speed axles, do the procedures under the heading,
"All Axle Models." For a two-speed axle with a shift
unit, also change the shift unit lubricant. See under
the heading, "Two-Speed Axles With Shift Unit."

All Axle Models

Detroit

™

NOTICE

Failure to keep the rear axle filled to the proper
level with the recommended lubricant can result in
rear axle damage.

Park the vehicle on a level surface, shut down
the engine, and set the parking brake. Chock the
tires.

If the vehicle has just been driven, allow a few
minutes for the lubricant to settle.

IMPORTANT: On Detroit axles, the oil change
interval for long haul vehicles can be extended
to 500,000 miles (800 000 km) for axles with
weight ratings of 34,000 to 40,000 lb (15 000 to
18 000 kg) using synthetic lubricant if a lubricant
analysis shows adequate quality. Oil must be
changed at least every four years, and more
often if the axle is exposed to high temperatures
and steep grades.

Clean the fill plug and the area surrounding the
fill plug on the side of the axle carrier. Remove
the plug. Check lubricant level when the axle is
cold, or near room temperature.

NOTE: Some Detroit axles have a small tapped
and plugged hole near and below the housing
oil fill hole. This smaller hole is for a lubricant
temperature indicator only, and should not be
used as a fill or level hole.

Check that the lubricant is level with the bottom
of the fill hole. See

Fig. 2

. If low, check for oil

leaks, and correct as needed. Add oil to the level
of the fill plug, using the lubricant recommended
in

Table 1

IMPORTANT: A lubricant level close enough to
be seen or touched is not sufficient. It must be
level with the bottom of the fill hole.

Install and tighten the fill plug 30 lbf·ft (41 N·m).

IMPORTANT: Always check the axle breather
whenever checking the lubricant level. Check
the breather more frequently under adverse op-
erating conditions.

Check the axle housing breather. Make sure that
it is open and unclogged. If the breather is
plugged or damaged, clean or replace it as
needed.

Meritor®

NOTICE

Failure to keep the rear axle filled to the proper
level with the recommended lubricant can result in
rear axle damage.

Rear Axle

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