Filling the Axle
Procedures for Detroit™ and Meritor axles are provided below.
- With the vehicle on a level surface, fill the axle housings to the bottom of the oil fill hole (in the carrier or housing) with recommended lubricant; see Table. Refer to Table. for Detroit drive axle lubricant capacities.
- Install the fill hole plug and tighten it 30 lbf·ft (41 N·m).
- After filling the carrier and housing assembly with lubricant,
drive the vehicle unloaded for one or two miles (two or three kilometers)
at speeds not to exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) to thoroughly circulate the
lubricant throughout the assembly.
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Front View
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Rear View
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Breather Hose
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Axle Housing Breather
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Oil Drain Plug
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Oil Fill Plug
Fig. 1, Component Locations, Detroit Axle
Important: Lubricant used in Detroit rear axles must meet Mercedes-Benz specification 235.20 (mineral) or 235.8 (synthetic). Mobil Delvac™ Gear Oil A 80W-90 and Mobilube™ HD-A Plus 80W-90 meet specification 235.20. Mobil Delvac 1 Gear Oil 75W-90 and Mobilube 1 SHC 75W-90 meet specification 235.8.
Note: Detroit rear axles do not require the use of friction modifiers.Table 2, Detroit Drive Axle Lubricants
Type
Ambient Temperature
SAE Viscosity Grade
Mineral Oil
–15°F (–26.1°C) and up 1
80W–90
Synthetic Oil
–40°F (–40°C) and up 2
75W–90
- There is no upper limit on the ambient temperature.
- † There is no upper limit on the ambient temperature.
Table 2, Detroit Drive Axle Lubricants
Table 3, Detroit Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities
Axle Model 1
Capacity 2: pints (L)
ARS–13.0–2
15 (7)
ARS–15.0–2
15 (7)
ARS–17.5–2
15 (7)
ARS–19.0–2
15 (7)
ARS–20.0–2
15 (7)
ARS–21.0–2
15 (7)
ARS–21.0–4
23 (11)
ARS–23.0–4
23 (11)
- Model code may have a "D" in the prefix (for example, DA–RS–13.0–2).
- Quantities listed are approximate and include 1 pint (0.5 liter) for each wheel end and with the drive pinion at 3 degrees.
Table 3, Detroit Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities
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