Dana Spicer

cen mm 35.01.000

Notice: Failure to change the axle lubricant at more frequent intervals, when adverse operating conditions require, could result in axle damage.

Note: Axle lubricant change intervals are extended to 500,000 miles (800 000 km) on vehicles equipped with a Meritor RT40–145P or RT46–160P rear axle.

Dana Spicer does not recommend the use of friction modifiers in any of their rear axles. Friction modifiers should be used in Dana Spicer rear axles only if a slip-stick condition is found, as described in the vehicle driver's manual. If you are experiencing a problem with a Dana Spicer rear axle, see of the Century Class Trucks Workshop Manual.

  1. Park the vehicle on level ground, apply the parking brakes, and chock the tires.
  2. Clean the area around, and including, the fill plug. Remove the plug from the oil fill hole (or standpipe if installed in the oil fill hole) located in the axle housing rear cover. See Fig..

    1. Oil Fill Plug

    2. Drain Plug

    Fig. 1, Axle Housing Drain and Fill Plugs

  3. Place a drain pan under the rear axle drain plug. Remove the drain plug at the bottom of the axle housing and allow sufficient time for all old lubricant to run out. See Fig..
  4. On dual-drive axles, also remove the plug at the bottom of the power divider to drain oil from the power divider.

    5. Note: Some dual-drive axles are equipped with a cylindrical magnetic strainer, below the lube pump on the front of the power divider cover, that must be removed and cleaned at each axle oil change. All rear axles are fitted with magnetic drain and fill plugs. See Fig..

  5. Remove and clean the magnetic strainer, if so equipped.

    1. Magnetic Strainer

    2. Power Divider

    Fig. 2, Dana Spicer Dual-Drive-Axle Magnetic Strainer

    1. Remove the magnetic strainer from the power divider cover.

      Warning: Always wear eye protection when using compressed air to clean parts, as flying debris could cause permanent damage to unprotected eyes. Do not point the air stream in the direction of other persons.
      1. Wash the strainer in solvent, and blow it dry with compressed air to remove oil and metal particles.
      2. Install and tighten the magnetic strainer 40 to 60 lbf·ft (54 to 81 N·m).
    2. Clean the fill plugs and drain plugs. To help clean magnetic plugs, a piece of key stock or any other convenient steel slug may be used to short the two magnetic poles and divert the magnetic field.

      3. Important: Magnets will rapidly lose effectiveness as collected material bridges the gap between the two poles. Clean or change the plugs before this occurs. It may be necessary to clean or change the plugs one or more times between lubrication change intervals.

    3. After cleaning, install and tighten the drain plug(s) 40 to 60 lbf·ft (54 to 81 N·m).
    4. Fill the axle with recommended lubricant. See Table. for recommended drive axle lubricants, and Table. for drive axle lubricant capacities.

      Note: Some Dana Spicer axles have a small tapped and plugged hole near and below the housing oil fill hole. This smaller hole is for a lubricant temperature indicator only, and should not be used as a fill or level hole.
        1. Using recommended lubricant, fill the axle through the oil fill hole or standpipe opening. Lubricant should be level with the bottom of the oil fill hole (see Fig.) or top of the standpipe opening.

          • Correct (lube level at bottom of fill hole)

          • Incorrect (lube level below fill hole)

          Fig. 3, Axle Lubricant Level Inspection

        2. Install and tighten the fill plug 40 to 60 lbf·ft (54 to 81 N·m).
        3. For forward drive axles, remove the power divider fill plug, located slightly offset to the right in the top portion of the forward differential carrier. See Fig.. Add two pints (1 L) of lubricant through this fill hole. Do not use the hole at the top of the differential carrier as a fill hole. Install and tighten the fill plug 40 to 60 lbf·ft (54 to 81 N·m).

          Table 3, 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 3, Dana Spicer Drive Axle Recommended Lubricant

            Table 4, Dana Spicer Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities

            Dana Spicer Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities

            Axle Type

            Axle Model

            Capacity 1:

            pints (liters)

            Single-Drive Axle Installation

            Single

            Reduction

            23080S, 23080D

            40 (18.9)

            23105S, 23105D

            48 (22.7)

            Dual-Drive Axle Installation

            Single

            Reduction

            DD404, DD404–P

            31 (14.7) 2

            DS404, DS404–P

            39 (18.5)

            DS461–P

            43 (20.3)

            Dual Range

            (2-Speed)

            DT402, 402–P

            34 (16.1)

            DT451–P

            39 (18.5)

            DT461–P

            43 (20.3)

            Double

            Reduction

            DP451–P

            34 (16.1)

            DP461–P

            43 (20.3)

            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.

            Table 4, Dana Spicer Drive Axle Lubricant Capacities

            1. Fill Plug

            2. Power Divider

            3. Forward Differential Carrier

            Fig. 4, Power Divider Fill Plug

        4. For a two-speed axle with a shift unit, change the shift unit lubricant; see elsewhere in this maintenance operation for the shift unit lubricant changing procedure.
        Note:
        Parent topic: Cleaning of the Axle Lubricant and Filter Change, and Magnetic Strainer
        Document Number: 0000122321
        Manual Publication Date: 2025-02-11
        Topic Publication Date: 2024-06-04