Axle Filling Meritor
- 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
lubricant. See Table. for
approved axle lubricants and see Table. or see Table. for axle capacities.
Table 1, Meritor Drive Axle Recommended Lubricant
Meritor Drive Axle Recommended Lubricant
Lubricant Type
Ambient Temperature
Viscosity Grade
Meritor Specification
Hypoid Gear Oil API Service Classification GL–5
10°F (–12.2°C) and up1
85W–140
0–76–A
–15°F (–26.1°C) and up1
80W–90
0–76–D
–40°F (–40°C) and up1
75W–90
0–76–E
–40°F (–40°C) to 35°F (2°C)
75W
0–76–J
–40°F (–40°C) and up1
75W–140
0–76–L
Synthetic Gear Oil
–40°F (–40°C) and up1
75W–90
0–76–N
–40°F (–40°C) and up1
75W–140
0–76–M
- There is no upper limit on the ambient temperature.
Table 1, Meritor Drive Axle Recommended Lubricant
Table 2, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Single Axles
Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Single Axles
Axle Model
Capacity:1 pt (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.
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
Capacity1
RT–40–145
Forward
30.2 (14.3)
Rear
25.8 (12.2)
RT–40–145P
Forward
30.2 (14.3)
Rear
25.8 (12.2)
RT–40–160
Forward
39.1 (18.5)
Rear
34.4 (16.3)
RT–44–145 RT–44–145P
Forward
29.3 (13.9)
Rear
25.1 (11.9)
RT–46–160
Forward
39.1 (18.5)
Rear
34.4 (16.3)
- Quantities listed are approximate and include 1 pint (0.5 liter) for each wheel end and with the drive pinion at 3 degrees.
Table 3, Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities for Tandem Axles
- Install the fill hole plug and tighten it 35 lbf·ft(47 N·m).
- 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.
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.