Drive Axle Lubricant Level Check

4700 mm 35.01.001(a)

    Note: 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. 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 Tandem Axle (forward axle shown)

    1. Oil Fill Plug

    2. Temperature Indicator Plug

    3. Oil Drain Plug

    4. Breather Hose

    Fig. 2, Plug and Breather Locations, Meritor Axles

    1. Oil Fill Plug

    2. Oil Drain Plug

    3. Axle Breather

    Fig. 3, Plug and Breather Locations, Dana Spicer Axles

    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.

    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.

    Note: The same lubricant that is used for the drive axle lubricates the rear axle wheel bearings. See Fig..

  4. Check the level of the lubricant. The lubricant must be level with the bottom of the oil fill hole (see Fig.). If low, check for oil leaks (and make corrections as needed), and add oil to the level of the fill plug. 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. and Table. for axle capacities. For Dana Spicer axles, see Table. for approved axle lubricants, and Table. for axle capacities.

    • 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)13

    Single and Rearmost Tandem, Model 4

    10.6 (10.0)2

    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

    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 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 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: 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 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* Pints (liters)

    MT–40–14X

    Forward

    30 (14.2)

    Rear

    32 (15.14)

      Table 5, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

      RT–40–145

      Forward

      30.2 (14.3)

      Rear

      25.8 (12.2)

        Table 5, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

        RT–40–145P

        Forward

        30.2 (14.3))

        Rear

        25.8 (12.2)

          Table 5, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

          RT–40–160

          Forward

          39.1 (18.5)

          Rear

          34.4 (16.3)

            Table 5, 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 5, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

              RT–46–160

              Forward

              39.1 (18.5)

              Rear

              34.4 (16.3)

                Table 5, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

                RT–46–164EH/P

                Forward

                38.0 (18.0)

                Rear

                33.0 (15.0)

                  Table 5, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

                  RT–50–160

                  Forward

                  38.0 (18.0)

                  Rear

                  33.0 (15.0)

                    Table 5, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

                    RT–52–185

                    Forward

                    56.1 (26.5)

                    Rear

                    36.1 (17.1)

                      Table 5, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles

                      RT–58–185

                      Forward

                      56.1 (26.5)

                      Rear

                      36.1 (17.1)

                        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: Pints (liters) 1

                          DD405

                          31 (14.7)]2

                          DP463P

                          40 (18.9)3

                          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

                          • Lubricant level.

                          Fig. 5, Drive Axle Wheel Bearing Lubrication

                        Note:
                        Parent topic: Rear Axle
                        Document Number: 0000121215
                        Manual Publication Date: 2024-05-23
                        Topic Publication Date: 2024-10-31