Front Drive Axle Lubricant Level Check

4700 mm 33.05.001

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

    Note: Follow the recommended maintenance schedule for draining and flushing the drive axles. See Group 00 for time or mileage intervals.

  1. With the vehicle parked on level ground, apply the parking brakes and chock the tires.
  2. If the vehicle has just been driven, allow a few minutes for the lubricant to settle.
  3. Clean the oil fill plug and the area surrounding it. Remove the fill plug. See Fig..

    1. Temperature Sensor Plug

    2. Fill Plug

    3. Drive Axle Breather

    Fig. 1, Drive Axle Housing

  4. Lubricant should be level with the bottom of the fill hole. See Fig.. If low, check the axle for leaks, and have any leaks corrected. Add lubricant as required. See Table. and Table. for recommended drive axle lubricants.

    • Correct (lubricant level at bottom of fill hole)

    • Wrong (lubricant level below fill hole)

    Fig. 2, Drive Axle Lubrication Level

    Table 1, Eaton Drive Axle Recommended Lubricants

    Eaton Drive Axle Recommended Lubricants
    Lubricant Type Conditions SAE Viscosity

    Eaton® Roadranger® Synthetic Drive Axle Lubricants, or Equivalent with Military Specification MIL-L-2105D

    Over-the-Road Service

    75W-90

    Off-Highway, or Under Extra-Heavy Loads

    80W-140

      Table 1, Eaton Drive Axle Recommended Lubricants

      Table 2, Meritor Drive Axle Recommended Lubricants

      Eaton Drive Axle Recommended Lubricants
      Lubricant Type Outside Air Temperature SAE Viscosity

      Hypoid Gear Oil API-GL-5 with Military Specification MIL-L-2105C

      +10°F (-12°C) & Up12345

      85W-140

      -40°F (-40°C) & Up12345

      75W-90

      -40°F (-40°C) & Up12345

      75W-140

      Synthetic Gear Oil

      -40°F (-40°C) & Up12345

      75W-90

      -40°F (-40°C) & Up12345

      75W-140
      1. There is no upper limit on these outside air temperatures, but axle sump temperature must never exceed 250°F (121°C).
      2. There is no upper limit on these outside air temperatures, but axle sump temperature must never exceed 250°F (121°C).
      3. There is no upper limit on these outside air temperatures, but axle sump temperature must never exceed 250°F (121°C).
      4. There is no upper limit on these outside air temperatures, but axle sump temperature must never exceed 250°F (121°C).
      5. There is no upper limit on these outside air temperatures, but axle sump temperature must never exceed 250°F (121°C).

      Table 2, Meritor Drive Axle Recommended Lubricants

    1. Apply a small amount of thread sealant (Loctite® or equivalent), to the threads of the filler plug. Install and tighten the fill plug 40 to 60 lbf·ft (54 to 81 N·m).
    Note:
    Parent topic: Front Axle
    Document Number: 0000120952
    Manual Publication Date: 2024-05-23
    Topic Publication Date: 2024-10-31