Axle Lubricant Level Check

sd mm 35.01.001

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

  1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, shut down the engine, and set the parking brake. Chock the tires.
  2. If the vehicle has just been driven, allow a few minutes for the lubricant to settle.

    3. Note: Some Detroit and Meritor axles have a small tapped and plugged hole located below the housing oil fill hole. This smaller hole is for the lubricant temperature sensor only and must not be used as a fill or level hole.

  3. Clean the oil fill hole plug (located in the carrier or the side of the axle housing) and the area surrounding it, then remove the plug.
    For Detroit axles, see Fig.; for Meritor axles, see Fig.; for Dana Spicer axles, 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)

    4. 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.

  4. Check the level of the lubricant. The lubricant must be level with the bottom of the oil fill hole. See Fig.. If low, add lubricant.

    For Detroit axles, see Table. for approved axle lubricants and Table. for lubricant capacities.

    For Meritor axles, see Table. for approved axle lubricants, and Table. or Table. for axle capacities.

    For Dana Spicer axles, see Table. for approved axle lubricants, and Table. for axle capacities.

  5. Install the oil fill hole plug and tighten it per the following:

    • For Detroit axles: 30 lbf·ft (41 N·m).

    • For Meritor axles: 35 lbf·ft (47 N·m).

    • For Dana Spicer axles: 50 lbf·ft (68 N·m).

  6. On non-drive axles using oil-lubricated wheel bearings, clean the hub cap and plug to minimize the possibility of dirt and road grime entering the assembly. Remove the plug, and check the oil level. If low, add fluid using the same lubricant recommended for the drive axle.

    1. Axle Housing Breathers

    2. Carrier Oil Fill Plugs

    3. Interaxle Differential

    Fig. 2, Fill Hole Plug and Axle Housing Breather Locations, Meritor Axles

    1. Oil Fill Plug

    2. Oil Drain Plug

    3. Axle Breather

    Fig. 3, Oil Fill and Drain Plugs and Axle Breather, Dana Spicer Axles

    • Correct (lube level at bottom of fill hole)

    • Incorrect (lube level below fill hole)

    Fig. 4, Axle Lubricant Level Check

    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)123

    Single and Rearmost Tandem, Model 4

    10.6 (10.0)123

    Single, Model 2

    5.8 (5.5)123
    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

    Table 3, Meritor Drive Axle Recommended Lubricant

    Meritor Drive Axle Recommended Lubricant

    Lubricant Type

    Ambient Temperature

    Viscosity Grade

    Meritor Specification

    Non-Extended Drain Lubricants

    10°F (–12.2°C) and up12

    85W–140

    0–76–A

    –15°F (–26.1°C) and up12

    80W–140

    0–76–B

    –15°F (–26.1°C) and up34567

    80W–90

    0–76–D

    –40°F (–40°C) and up34567

    75W–90

    0–76–E

    –40°F (–40°C) to 35°F (2°C)

    75W

    0–76–J

    –40°F (–40°C) and up34567

    75W–140

    0–76–L

    Extended Drain Lubricants

    –40°F (–40°C) and up34567

    75W–90

    0–76–N

    –40°F (–40°C) and up34567

    75W–140

    0–76–M
    1. There is no upper limit on the ambient temperature.
    2. There is no upper limit on the ambient temperature.
    3. There is no upper limit on the ambient temperature.
    4. There is no upper limit on the ambient temperature.
    5. There is no upper limit on the ambient temperature.
    6. There is no upper limit on the ambient temperature.
    7. There is no upper limit on the ambient temperature.

    Table 3, Meritor Drive Axle Recommended Lubricant

    Table 4, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Single Axles

    Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Single Axles

    Axle Model

    Capacity:1 Pints (liters)

    RS–23–160

    39.5 (18.7)

    RS–23–161

    37.2 (17.6)

    RS–23–186

    47.3 (22.4)

    RS–25–160

    37 (17)

    RS–26–185

    46.0 (22.0)

    RS–30–185

    46.0 (22.0)

    RS–30–380

    58.2 (27.5)

    RS–38–380

    53.1 (25.1)
    1. Quantities listed are approximate and include 1 pint (0.5 liter) for each wheel end and with the drive pinion at 3 degrees.

    Table 4, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Single Axles

    Table 5, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

    Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles
    Axle Model Axle Position Capacity:1 Pints (liters)

    RT–40–145

    Forward

    30.2 (14.3)

    Rear

    25.8 (12.2)

    RT–40–145P

    Forward

    30.2 (14.3)

    Rear

    25.8 (12.2)

    RT–40–160

    Forward

    39.1 (18.5)

    Rear

    34.4 (16.3)

    RT–44–145

    RT–44–145P

    Forward

    29.3 (13.9)

    Rear

    25.1 (11.9)

    RT–46–160

    Forward

    39.1 (18.5)

    Rear

    34.4 (16.3)

    RT–46–164EH/P

    Forward

    38.0 (18.0)

    Rear

    33.0 (15.0)

    RT–50–160

    Forward

    38.0 (18.0)

    Rear

    33.0 (15.0)

    RT–52–185

    Forward

    56.1 (26.5)

    Rear

    36.1 (17.1)

    RT–58–185

    Forward

    56.1 (26.5)

    Rear

    36.1 (17.1)
    1. Quantities listed are approximate and include 1 pint (0.5 liter) for each wheel end and with the drive pinion at 3 degrees.

    Table 5, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

    Table 6, Dana Spicer Drive Axle Recommended Lubricant

    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 6, Dana Spicer Drive Axle Recommended Lubricant

      Table 7, Dana Spicer Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities

      Dana Spicer Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities

      Axle Model

      Capacity:1 Pints (liters)

      DD405

      31 (14.7)23

      DP463P

      40 (18.9)23
      1. Quantities listed are approximate. Fill axle until lubricant is level with bottom of fill hole with vehicle on level ground.
      2. Add 2 pints (1 L) of additional lubricant to the power divider.
      3. Add 2 pints (1 L) of additional lubricant to the power divider.

      Table 7, Dana Spicer Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities

    Note:
    Parent topic: Rear Axle
    Document Number: 0000120038
    Manual Publication Date: 2024-05-23
    Topic Publication Date: 2024-10-30