Cleaning the Manual and Automated Transmission Fluid Change, and Magnetic Plug (Synthetic Lubricant)

cen mm 26.01.000

Notice: Operating a transmission with the fluid level higher or lower than recommended can result in transmission damage. Do not overfill the transmission. Overfilling will force fluid out of the case through the main shaft openings.

Do not mix types and brands of fluid, because of possible incompatibility. Do not use fluid additives, friction modifiers, extreme-pressure gear fluids, or multiviscosity lubricants.

Note: Fluid change intervals are extended to 500,000 miles (800 000 km) on any vehicles filled with synthetic transmission fluid.

  1. Drain the transmission when the fluid is warm. If not already warm, run the engine until the transmission fluid reaches operating temperature. Shift the transmission to neutral (N) and shut down the engine.
  2. Park the vehicle on level ground, apply the parking brakes, and chock the rear tires. Place a large drain pan under the transmission.
  3. Clean the area around the fill plug, and remove it from the side of the gear case. Remove each drain plug from the bottom of the case.
  4. Clean the fill and drain plugs. 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.
    Install and tighten each drain plug 50 lbf·ft (68 N·m).

    5. Note: The optional transmission fluid filter is a remote-mount, spin-on type, and is located between the transmission and the fluid cooler. The filter bracket is attached to the frame rail or some other near-by location. The filter is mounted in a vertical position, and should be filled with fluid before installation to assure the proper fluid level. For optimum transmission performance, change the filter each time that the fluid is changed.

  5. For a transmission equipped with a transmission fluid filter(s), replace the fluid filter(s).
    1. Place a drain pan under the transmission fluid filter.

      Caution: To prevent skin burns from hot transmission fluid, wear protective gloves when removing the filter.
      1. Place a strap or chain wrench around the filter canister, and rotate in a counterclockwise motion to separate the filter from the mounting. Carefully spin the filter off the mount and remove it from the vehicle.
      2. Apply a light coat of transmission fluid to the O-ring gasket on the new filter. Fill the filter with the specified transmission fluid, and spin the filter onto the mount.

        Note: The filter fills slowly, so be patient to ensure the proper fluid level has been set.
         
        1. Once the filter has made contact with the mount, use a strap wrench to rotate the filter canister an additional 180 to 270 degrees to firmly tighten it. Wipe it clean of any fluid after it is tightened.
      3. Add fluid until it is level with the lower edge of the fill opening. See Fig.. If the transmission has two fill openings, add fluid to the level of both openings. See Table. for approved transmission lubricants. See Table. for Eaton® Fuller® transmission lubricant capacities and Table. for Meritor transmission lubricant capacities.
        For more information and a complete listing of Eaton approved lubricants, refer to the Eaton website, see www.roadranger.com. For more information and a complete listing of Meritor approved lubricants, refer to the ZF Meritor website, see www.zf.com.

        4. Note: In all cases, the correct fluid level is established by checking at the fill opening.

      4. Operate the engine for five minutes after filling the transmission, then check the fluid level again.

        • Full

        • Low

        Fig. 1, Checking Transmission Fluid Level

        Table 3, Eaton and Meritor Approved Transmission Lubricants

        Eaton and Meritor Approved Transmission Lubricants

        Transmission Model

        Lubricant Type 1

        Temp. Range

        SAE Viscosity

        Eaton Fuller Transmissions

        All Eaton Fuller

        Synthetic transmission lubricant meeting Eaton PS-386 lubricant specification

        All

        —

        Meritor Transmissions

        FreedomLine

        Mobil Delvac Synthetic Transmission Fluid 50

        All

        50W

        All other Meritor

        Synthetic engine oil meeting Meritor specification 0–81, or MIL–L–2104D or E

        All

        50W
        1. Do not mix types or brands of fluid. Multiweight and extreme-pressure gear fluids are not recommended.

        Table 3, Eaton and Meritor Approved Transmission Lubricants

        Table 4, Eaton Fuller Transmission Lubricant Capacities

        Eaton Fuller Transmission Lubricant Capacities

        Transmission Model 1

        Refill Capacity 2:

        qt (L)

        7-Speed T Series

        All Models

        18.0 (17.0)

        All 9-Speed Series

        All Models

        13.5 (12.8)

        All 10-Speed Manual Models (except deep reduction)

        FR and FRO Series

        11.75 (11.0)

        RT and RTX Series

        13.0 (12.3)

        RTLO Series

        14.0 (13.2)

        RTO–16210C

        11.75 (11.0)

        10-Speed Deep Reduction

        RTO/RTX–11708LL

        14.0 (13.2)

        RTO–11908LL

        RTO/RTX–14708LL

        14.5 (13.7)

        10-Speed Automated Models

        Lightning Top 2 (all)

        13.5 (12.8)

        10-Speed Autoshift AS2 (all)

        13.0 (12.3)

        13-Speed RTLO Series

        All Models

        14.0 (13.2)

        All 15-Speed Series

        All Models

        14.0 (13.2)

        All 18-Speed Series

        RTLO Series

        14.0 (13.2)

        18-Speed Autoshift AS2 (all)
        1. For models not listed in this table see the Eaton Fuller website, see www.roadranger.com.
        2. Quantities listed are approximate. Fill the transmission until lubricant is level with bottom of the fill hole, with the vehicle in normal operating position.

        Table 4, Eaton Fuller Transmission Lubricant Capacities

      5. Clean the fill plug, then install it in the transmission. Tighten the plug as follows:

        • 25 to 35 lbf·ft (34 to 48 N·m) for Eaton Fuller transmissions with 3/4-inch pipe threads.

        • 60 to 75 lbf·ft (81 to 102 N·m) for Eaton Fuller transmissions with 1-1/4-inch pipe threads.

        • 44 lbf·ft (60 N·m) for all ZF Meritor FreedomLine automated transmissions.

        • 35 to 50 lbf·ft (48 to 67 N·m) for all other Meritor transmissions.

      6. Operate the vehicle to check for correct operation.

        Table 5, Meritor Transmission Lubricant Capacities

        Meritor Transmission Lubricant Capacities

        Transmission Model

        Refill Capacity 1:

        qt (L)

        Meritor M/MO Series

        M/MO (all)

        10.25 (9.7)

        Meritor 9- and 10-Speed

        –115A/B/C/R (all)

        10.0 (9.5)

        –125A/B/C/R (all)

        –135A/B/C/R (all)

        10.25 (9.7)

        –145A/B/C/R (all)

        –155A/B/C/R (all)

        Meritor 13-Speed

        RM013–145A

        11.0 (10.4)

        ZF Meritor FreedomLine

        All 12-Speed Models

        11.6 (11.0)

        All 16-Speed Models

        12.5 (11.8)
        1. Quantities listed are approximate. Fill the transmission until lubricant is level with bottom of the fill hole, with the vehicle in normal operating position.

        Table 5, Meritor Transmission Lubricant Capacities

      Note:
      Parent topic: Transmission
      Document Number: 0000122004
      Manual Publication Date: 2025-02-11
      Topic Publication Date: 2024-06-04