Dana Spicer Axles
- Park the vehicle on level ground, set the parking brakes, and chock the tires.
- Clean the oil fill plug and the area around it (see Fig. ), then remove it from the oil fill hole.
- Place a drain pan under the rear axle drain plug; see Fig.. 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.
- At each axle oil change, remove and clean the magnetic
strainer, if equipped, as follows.
- Remove the magnetic strainer from the power divider cover. See Fig..
- Wash the strainer in solvent, and blow it dry with compressed air to remove oil and metal particles.
- Install and tighten the magnetic strainer 40 to 60 lbf·ft (54 to 81 N·m).
Warning: Always wear eye protection when using compressed 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.
- Clean the fill and drain plugs as follows. Change them
if necessary.
- 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.
- 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.
- Inspect the drain plug for large quantities of metal particles.
- 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 as follows.
See Table. for recommended
lubricants, and Table. for
drive axle lubricant capacities.
Table 1, 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 1, Dana Spicer Drive Axle Recommended Lubricant
Table 2, Dana Spicer Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities
Dana Spicer Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities Axle Model Capacity: Pints (liters) 1 DD405
31 (14.7)]2
DP463P
40 (18.9)3
- Quantities listed are approximate. Fill axle until lubricant is level with bottom of fill hole with vehicle on level ground.
- Add 2 pints (1 L) of additional lubricant to the power divider.
- Add 2 pints (1 L) of additional lubricant to the power divider.
Table 2, Dana Spicer Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities
Note: If using a Roadranger synthetic drive axle lubricant, the lubricant change interval is extended to 180,000 miles (288 000 km).
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 magnetic drain and fill plugs.


