Maintenance Manual

of the fill plug, using the lubricant recommended
in Table 4.
IMPORTANT: A lubricant level close enough to
be seen or touched is not sufficient. It must be
level with the bottom of the fill hole.
5. Install and tighten the fill plug 30 lbf·ft (41 N·m).
IMPORTANT: Always check the axle breather
whenever checking the lubricant level. Check
the breather more frequently under adverse op-
erating conditions.
6. Check the axle housing breather (see Fig. 1).
Make sure that it is open and unclogged. If the
breather is plugged or damaged, clean or re-
place it as needed.
Meritor®
NOTICE
Failure to keep the rear axle filled to the proper
level with the recommended lubricant can result in
rear axle damage.
NOTICE
When operating under adverse conditions, it may
be necessary to change the axle lubricant at more
frequent intervals than listed in the scheduled
maintenance tables. Failure to do so could result
in axle damage.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, shut down
the engine, and set the parking brake. Chock the
tires.
IMPORTANT: Oil level must be checked at each
M1 interval on Meritor axles.
2. Clean the fill plug and the area surrounding the
fill plug on the side of the axle carrier. Remove
the plug. Check the lubricant level when the axle
is cold, or near room temperature.
NOTE: Some Meritor 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.
3. Check that the lubricant is level with the bottom
of the fill hole. See Fig. 5. If low, check for oil
leaks, and correct as needed. Add oil to the level
of the fill plug, using the lubricant recommended
in
Table 5.
4. Install and tighten the fill plug 35 lbf·ft (47 N·m).
IMPORTANT: Always check the axle breather
whenever checking the lubricant level. Check
the breather more frequently under adverse op-
erating conditions.
5. Check the axle housing breather. Make sure that
it is open and unclogged. See Fig. 10.Ifthe
breather is plugged or damaged, clean or re-
place it as needed.
6. On non-drive axles using oil-lubricated wheel
bearings, check the oil level at the wheels, and
add oil if low. Use the same lubricant recom-
mended for the drive axle.
NOTE: When adding to or checking the oil level,
make certain the hub cap and plug are clean
before removing the plug; this will minimize the
possibility of dirt and road grime entering the
assembly.
f350062a10/05/2016
1
2
3
1. Axle Housing Breathers
2. Carrier Oil Fill Plugs
3. Interaxle Differential
Fig. 10, Meritor Axle Housing Breathers
Rear Axle 35
New Cascadia Maintenance Manual, February 2019 35/9