Detroit Axles

sd mm 35.03.001

    Notice: When operating under adverse conditions, it may be necessary to change the axle lubricant at more frequent intervals than listed in the scheduled maintenance tables. Failure to do so could result in axle damage.

  1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, shut down the engine, and set the parking brake. Chock the tires.
  2. Clean the fill plug and the area around it. In the axle housing rear cover, remove the plug from the oil fill hole. See Fig..

    • Front View

    • Rear View

    1. Axle Breather

    2. Breather Hose

    3. Temperature Sensor Port

    4. Oil Fill Plug

    Fig. 1, Detroit Model 4 and Model 6 Tandem Axle (forward axle shown)

    3. Caution: Be careful when draining the axle oil. It may be very hot, and could cause personal injury if it contacts the skin.

  3. Place a drain pan under the rear axle drain plug. Drain the oil when it is warm. At this temperature, the oil will run more freely and ensure that the axle is flushed.
  4. Clean the fill and drain plugs. Change them if necessary.
    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.
    2. Clean away the collected material deposited on each pole. Magnets will rapidly lose their effectiveness as collected material bridges the gap between the two poles.
    3. After the first oil is changed, inspect the drain plug each time for large quantities of metal particles.
    4. After cleaning, install the drain plug(s) and tighten to 30 lbf·ft (41 N·m).

    5. 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.

  5. Fill the axle with the recommended lubricant. See Table. for recommended drive axle lubricants and Table. for lubricant capacities.
    1. Fill the axle through the oil fill hole. Lubricant should be level with the bottom of the oil fill hole. To check fluid level, see Fig..
    2. Install and tighten the fill plug 30 lbf·ft (41 N·m).

      Table 1, Detroit Drive Axle Lubricants

      Detroit Drive Axle Lubricants1
      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.

      Type

      Ambient Temperature

      SAE Viscosity Grade

      Mineral Oil

      –15°F (–26.1°C) and up23

      80W–90

      Synthetic Oil

      –40°F (–40°C) and up23

      75W–90
      1. Detroit rear axles do not require the use of friction modifiers.
      2. There is no upper limit on the ambient temperature.
      3. There is no upper limit on the ambient temperature.

      Table 1, Detroit Drive Axle Lubricants

      Table 2, Detroit Rear Axle Lubricant Capacity

      Detroit Rear Axle Lubricant Capacity (Hubs Full)

      Axle

      Oil Capacity: Quarts (liters)

      Forward-Rear, Model 4

      14.3 (13.5)13

      Single and Rearmost Tandem, Model 4

      10.6 (10.0)12

      Single, Model 2

      5.8 (5.5)13
      1. These values assume the wheel ends are properly lubricated. Actual oil capacity might vary slightly depending on gear ratio.
      2. These values assume the wheel ends are properly lubricated. Actual oil capacity might vary slightly depending on gear ratio.
      3. These values assume the wheel ends are properly lubricated. Actual oil capacity might vary slightly depending on gear ratio.

      Table 2, Detroit Rear Axle Lubricant Capacity

      • Correct (lube level at bottom of fill hole)

      • Incorrect (lube level below fill hole)

      Fig. 2, Axle Lubricant Level Inspection

Note:
Parent topic: Axle Lubricant and Filter Change, and Magnetic Strainer Cleaning and Check
Document Number: 0000120036
Manual Publication Date: 2024-05-23
Topic Publication Date: 2024-10-30