Spicer Tandem Drive Axles Service Manual D__R440, 460, 480, D_R461, 462, 463, 521, 581, 601, 651, 652, 653 - Manual (Page 126)

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Proper Vehicle Towing
Proper Vehicle Towing
Without Wheel Differential Lock
Lift the drive wheels completely off of the ground or damage
will occur.
Do not lift the front wheels (non-drive wheels). This alters
the oil’s position in the drive axle, draining it away from the
drive pinion and its bearings. If the pinion is rotated under
these conditions for any period of time, bearings will over-
heat resulting in axle damage or failure.
If this is impossible to lift the drive wheels, remove all axle
shafts to prevent gear rotation and cap the wheel hubs to pre-
vent loss of lubricant and a possible road hazard. See the fol-
lowing section Proper Vehicle Towing with Wheel Differential
Lock for removal procedure.
With Wheel Differential Lock
Follow this procedure to remove all axle shafts preventing gear
rotation with the drive wheels and possible lubrication dam-
age.
1. Engage the wheel differential lock, indicator light is
on (move vehicle to verify engagement).
2. Shift transmission into neutral.
3. With vehicle stationary, release the air pressure on
the wheel differential lock shift system and apply the
parking brake.
4. Disconnect the air supply and fitting at the shift cylin-
der.
5. Install the shipping capscrew 128642 (.250 X 18 X
1.5") NPSM screw. GM models require part number
128274 (M12 X 1.5 X 38mm) screw. Tighten cap-
screw to manually engage the wheel differential lock
until the indicator light is on and the differential lock
is completely engaged.
6. Remove the axle shafts.
7. Install temporary cover on hub to prevent contamina-
tion entering and also to prevent the loss of lubricant.
With Wheel Differential Lock (Type 3 Only)
Follow these listed procedures for vehicle towing when the
drive axles are equipped with Type 3 wheel differential lock.
Note: To eliminate the need for disconnecting drivelines and
axle shafts, trucks/tractors should be towed from the
REAR whenever possible.
The following procedure should be followed for vehicle towing
when the drive axle wheel ends are running on pavement (ve-
hicle being towed from the front). Removing the axle shafts
prevents gear rotation with the drive wheels and possibly lubri-
cation damage.
Towing Vehicles from the Front
1. For Type 3 differential lock axles. As a common prac-
tice put the axles in the unlocked position.
2. Shift transmission into neutral.
3. Block wheels.
4. Connect air lines from the tow truck’s air reservoir
system to charge the primary air system of the dis-
abled truck/tractor–preferably to the inlet fitting of the
unit’s air dryer.
5. Release the emergency/spring brakes of the disabled
truck/tractor. Then, manually cage the spring brakes.
Do not back off the slack adjusters.
6. Remove the axle shafts, note the specific location of
the axle shafts.
Note: Spicer Type 3 (461/521/581) differential lock axle shafts
are location specific. The axle shaft with the 11” spline
length belongs on the flange half side of axle (same side
as the shift unit). Failure to put the correct axle shaft in its
intended location will lead to an inoperable differential
locking axle.
WARNING