Sterling Trucks Acterra MX - Manual (Page 91)

Meritor Drive Axle Lubricant
Capacities, Tandem Axles
Axle Model Capacity * : pints (liters)
RT–34–144
Forward 29.8 (14.1)
Rear 34 (16.1)
RT–40–145
Forward 30.4 (14.4)
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,
Tandem Axles
3. Install the fill hole plug, and tighten it 35 lbf·ft (47
N·m).
35–02 Axle Breather Checking
The axle housing breather (see Fig. 1 ) must remain
clean. Whenever the axle lubricant level is checked,
check that the axle breather is open. Check more
often under poor operating conditions. If the breather
is plugged, clean or replace it as needed.
35–03 Axle Lubricant Changing
and Magnetic Plug
Cleaning
A regular schedule for changing the axle lubricant in
a particular vehicle and operation can be accurately
determined by analyzing oil samples taken from the
axle at specified intervals or mileages. Lubricant sup-
pliers frequently make their laboratory facilities avail-
able for determining the useful life of their product
under actual service conditions. The final schedule
that is recommended may, for economic reasons, be
correlated with lubricant changes that are governed
by climatic conditions and magnetic plug mainte-
nance. Change lubricant type and viscosity as cli-
matic temperatures demand, regardless of vehicle
mileage or established change schedule.
The normal operating temperature of compounded
lubricants during the summer season is about 160°
to 220°F (71° to 104°C). The chemicals and addi-
tives that give these lubricants increased load-
carrying capacity, oxidize faster at temperatures
above 220°F (104°C), contributing to more rapid lu-
bricant deterioration. For this reason, lubricants of
this type, that operate continuously at high tempera-
tures, must be changed more frequently.
CAUTION
Failure to change the axle lubricant at more fre-
quent intervals, when adverse operating condi-
tions require, could result in axle damage.
Axle Draining and Flushing
1. Remove the plug at the bottom of the housing
and drain the lubricant while the unit is warm.
Allow enough time for all the old lubricant to
drain completely.
2. Flush the unit with clean flushing oil, then drain it
completely.
IMPORTANT: Do not flush axles with solvent,
such as kerosene.
3. Clean the drain plugs. For magnetic drain 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.
06/07/94 f350062a
1
2 3
1. Axle Housing
Breathers 2. Carrier Oil Fill Plugs
3. Interaxle Differential
Fig. 1, Fill Hole Plug and Axle Housing Breather
Locations
Rear Axle
35
Acterra Maintenance Manual, March 2000 35/2