Axle Filling
- With the vehicle on a level surface, fill the axle housings to the bottom of the oil fill hole (in the carrier or housing) with recommended lubricant; see Table.Drive Axle Recommended Lubricant, Meritor Axles. See Table.Detroit Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Detroit drive axle lubricant capacities or see Table.Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Meritor drive axle lubricant capacities.
- Install the fill hole plug and tighten it 30 lbf·ft
(41 N·m) for Detroit axles or 35 lbf·ft (47 N·m)
for Meritor axles.
Note: Some 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.
- After filling the carrier and housing assembly with lubricant,
drive the vehicle unloaded for one or two miles (two or three kilometers)
at speeds not to exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) to thoroughly circulate the
lubricant throughout the assembly.
Detroit Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities
Axle Model*
Capacity: pints (L)†
ARS–13.0–2
15 (7)
ARS–15.0–2
15 (7)
ARS–17.5–2
15 (7)
ARS–19.0–2
15 (7)
ARS–20.0–2
15 (7)
ARS–21.0–2
15 (7)
ARS–21.0–4
23 (11)
ARS–23.0–4
23 (11)
* Model code may have a "D" in the prefix (for example, DA–RS–13.0–2).
† Quantities listed are approximate and include 1 pint (0.5 liter) for each wheel end and with the drive pinion at 3 degrees.
Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities
Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities
Axle Model
Capacity: pints (L)*
MS–10–113D
14 (6.6)
MS–12–113D
15 (7.1)
RS–13–120
18.4 (8.7)
RS–15–120
14.3 (6.8)
RS–17–145
33.6 (15.9)
RS–17–144
32.3 (15.3)
RS–19–144
32.3 (15.3)
RS–19–145
33.2 (15.7)
RS–21–145
32.3 (15.3)
RS–21–160
39.5 (18.7)
RS–21–230
38.9 (18.4)
RS–23–160
39.5 (18.7)
RS–23–161
39.5 (18.7)
RS–23–186
47.3 (22.4)
RS–23–240
37.4 (17.7)
RS–26–185
38.0 (18.0)
RS–30–185
38.0 (18.0)
* Quantities listed are approximate and include 1 pint (0.5 liter) for each wheel end and with the drive pinion at 3 degrees.
Drive Axle Recommended Lubricant, Meritor Axles
Recommended Lubricant Type
Ambient Temperature
Lubricant SAE Viscosity Grade
Hypoid Gear Oil API Service Classification GL–5
10°F (–12.2°C) and up*
85W–140
–15°F (–26.1°C) and up*
80W–90
–40°F (–40°C) and up*
75W–90
–40°F (–40°C) to 35°F (2°C)
75W
–40°F (–40°C) and up*
75W–140
Synthetic Gear Oil
–40°F (–40°C) and up*
75W–90
–40°F (–40°C) and up*
75W–140
* There is no upper limit on the ambient temperature.