Meritor Axles

4700 mm 35.01.003

    Important: If using synthetic lubricant, the lubricant change interval is extended to 100,000 miles (160 000 km). On axles with a pump and filter system, the filter change interval is 100,000 miles (160 000 km).

  1. Park the vehicle on level ground, apply the parking brakes, and chock the front tires.
  2. Clean the area around the fill plug, then remove the fill plug.
  3. Place a drain pan under the drain plug, then remove the drain plug from the bottom of the housing. Completely drain the lubricant while the unit is warm, to allow the lubricant to drain faster. On tandem-drive axles, it is also necessary to remove the plug at the bottom of the interaxle differential housing to drain that lubricant.
  4. If equipped with an oil pump, replace the filter.

      Note: There may be about one pint (0.5 L) of lubricant remaining in the filter.

    1. Remove the axle oil filter using a suitable filter strap wrench (see Fig.) and discard it.

      Fig. 1, Meritor Axle Oil Filter Removal

    2. Using recommended drive axle lubricant (see Table. ), coat the face of the gasket on the new oil filter.

      Table 1, 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 up1

      85W–140

      0–76–A

      –15°F (–26.1°C) and up23457

      80W–140

      0–76–B

      –15°F (–26.1°C) and up23457

      80W–90

      0–76–D

      –40°F (–40°C) and up23457

      75W–90

      0–76–E

      –40°F (–40°C) to 35°F (2°C)

      75W

      0–76–J

      –40°F (–40°C) and up23457

      75W–140

      0–76–L

      Extended Drain Lubricants

      –40°F (–40°C) and up6

      75W–90

      0–76–N

      –40°F (–40°C) and up23457

      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 1, Meritor Drive Axle Recommended Lubricant

    3. Install the filter over the adapter, and tighten the filter one full turn after the gasket contacts the base; do not overtighten.
  5. Clean the fill and drain plugs as follows. 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. Check the drain plug for metal particles every 100,000 miles (160 000 km). 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. Meritor recommends plugs with elements having a minimum pickup capacity of 1.5 pounds (0.7 kg) of low-carbon steel. Each time the oil is changed, replace any magnetic drain plug that does not meet the minimum pickup capacity.
    4. Install the drain plug(s) and tighten to 35 lbf·ft (47 N·m).
  6. Fill the axle with recommended lubricant as follows. For lubricant capacities, see Table. (single axles) or Table. (tandem axles). See Table. for recommended lubricant.

    Table 2, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Single Axles

    Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Single Axles

    Axle Model

    Capacity: Pints (liters) 1

    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 2, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Single Axles

    Table 3, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

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

    MT–40–14X

    Forward

    30 (14.2)

    Rear

    32 (15.14)

      Table 3, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

      RT–40–145

      Forward

      30.2 (14.3)

      Rear

      25.8 (12.2)

        Table 3, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

        RT–40–145P

        Forward

        30.2 (14.3))

        Rear

        25.8 (12.2)

          Table 3, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

          RT–40–160

          Forward

          39.1 (18.5)

          Rear

          34.4 (16.3)

            Table 3, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

            RT–44–1450

            RT–44–145P

            Forward

            29.3 (13.9)

            Rear

            25.1 (11.9)

              Table 3, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

              RT–46–160

              Forward

              39.1 (18.5)

              Rear

              34.4 (16.3)

                Table 3, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

                RT–46–164EH/P

                Forward

                38.0 (18.0)

                Rear

                33.0 (15.0)

                  Table 3, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

                  RT–50–160

                  Forward

                  38.0 (18.0)

                  Rear

                  33.0 (15.0)

                    Table 3, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

                    RT–52–185

                    Forward

                    56.1 (26.5)

                    Rear

                    36.1 (17.1)

                      Table 3, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

                      RT–58–185

                      Forward

                      56.1 (26.5)

                      Rear

                      36.1 (17.1)

                        Table 3, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

                        1. With the vehicle on a level surface, fill the axle through the oil fill hole. Allow a few minutes for the oil to flow into the axle. Lubricant should be level with the bottom of the oil fill hole.
                        2. Check the fluid level; see Fig..

                          • Correct (lube level at bottom of fill hole)

                          • Incorrect (lube level below fill hole)

                          Fig. 2, Axle Lubricant Level Inspection

                        3. Install and tighten the fill plug 35 lbf·ft (47 N·m).
                      1. Whenever the interaxle differential housing has been drained, add an additional 2 pints (0.9 L) of the recommended lubricant directly into the interaxle differential housing.
                      2. Remove the chocks, then drive the vehicle, unloaded, for 1 or 2 miles (2 or 3 km) at speeds not to exceed 25 mph (40 km/h), to thoroughly circulate lubricant throughout the carrier and housing assemblies.
                      Note:
                      Parent topic: Axle Lubricant and Filter Change, and Magnetic Strainer Cleaning and Check
                      Document Number: 0000120972
                      Manual Publication Date: 2024-05-23
                      Topic Publication Date: 2024-10-31