Maintenance Manual

Dana® Spicer®
NOTICE
Failure to keep the rear axle filled to the proper
level with the recommended lubricant can result in
rear axle damage.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, shut down
the engine, and set the parking brake. Chock the
tires.
2. If the vehicle has just been driven, allow a few
minutes for the lubricant to settle.
3. Clean the oil fill plug and the area surrounding it;
see
Fig. 11. Remove the plug from the fill hole
(or standpipe, if installed in the oil fill hole).
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, or the top of
the standpipe opening.
4. Check that the lubricant is level with the bottom
of the fill hole, or with the top of the standpipe
opening. 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 7.
5. Install and tighten the fill plug 40 to 60 lbf·ft (54
to 81 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. Make sure that
it is unclogged and free from corrosion. See
Fig. 11. If the breather is plugged or damaged,
clean or replace it as needed.
Two-Speed Axles With Shift Unit
Dana Spicer and Meritor
IMPORTANT: Also do the appropriate procedure
under the heading "All Axle Models."
NOTICE
Failure to keep lubricant at the specified level
could cause damage to the axle shift unit.
1. Clean the shift unit oil fill plug, and the area sur-
rounding the plug. See
Fig. 9. Turn the fill plug
counterclockwise to remove it.
2. Insert a finger or pipe cleaner into the fill plug
hole and check the fluid level. The lubricant
should be level with the bottom of the fill hole. If
low, add the recommended lubricant.
NOTICE
Before adding additional lubricant, make sure of
the type currently in the shift unit. To prevent
component damage, do not mix engine oil with
automatic transmission fluid.
IMPORTANT: When the ambient temperature is
above 0°F (–18°C), use SAE 10 heavy-duty en-
gine oil, API service classification SD (sulfated
ash content must not exceed 1.85%). When the
ambient temperature is below 0°F (–18°C), use
one part kerosene to three parts SAE 10 heavy-
duty engine oil, API service classification SD
(sulfated ash content must not exceed 1.85%).
This cold-weather mixture can be safely used
up to 32°F (0°C).
Commercially available automatic transmission
fluid may be used in place of SAE 10 engine oil.
Automatic transmission fluid can be used for all
temperatures; do not mix it with kerosene.
f350002a10/06/2016
1
2
3
1. Axle Housing Breather
2. Fill Plug
3. Temperature Indicator Plug
Fig. 11, Dana Spicer Axle Housing Breather
Rear Axle35
New Cascadia Maintenance Manual, February 201935/10