Meritor
™
Drive Axles
Refer to the Meritor website for additional
information,
www.meritor.com.
Drive Axles With Differential Lock
The Meritor driver-controlled differential lock feature
(side-to-side wheel lock, traction control, or traction
equalizer) is available on single-drive or dual-drive
rear axles. It is available on both axles of a dual-
drive vehicle, or on one only. It is only available on
drive axles. Differential lock must only be used under
adverse road conditions where greater traction is
needed. With differential lock on, the turning radius is
increased and vehicle handling is affected. The
differential lock switch, shown in
Fig. 16.1, allows the
driver to lock the wheels on the same axle together.
The red differential lock warning light illuminates on
the dash message center when differential lock is
engaged.
Differential lock provides maximum traction under
slippery conditions. When the differential lock is
engaged, the clutch collar completely locks the
differential case, gearing, and axle shafts together,
maximizing the traction of both wheels and protecting
against spinout.
Under normal traction conditions, do not use the
differential lock feature.
Differential Lock Switch
NOTICE
Differential lock should only be engaged when
the vehicle is stopped or moving slowly at low
throttle. This will prevent internal axle damage.
Normally, when differential lock is available on dual-
drive vehicles, one switch activates the lock on both
rear drive axles. As an option, it possible to have two
differential lock switches, one for the forward rear
and one for the rearmost drive axle. It is also
possible for some vehicles to have differential lock
on only one of the drive axles.
A two-position guarded rocker switch, shown in
Fig. 16.1, controls differential lock, causing the
wheels on each axle governed by the switch to rotate
together. To lock the wheels together, press the
upper half of the rocker momentarily (at the red
LED). To unlock the wheels, press the upper half of
the rocker again.
IMPORTANT: The differential lock rocker switch
is guarded to prevent unintentional switch
activation. If the LED in the switch begins to
blink during normal operation, when the switch
has not been activated, this indicates an error
condition. Bring the vehicle to an authorized
Freightliner service facility as soon as possible.
When the differential lock switch is pressed, three
responses are possible: a normal response, a slow
response, and an abnormal response.
Normal Response: The LED in the switch blinks until
the axle has responded to the request to lock the
wheels. At this point, the LED comes on steady and
stays illuminated. In normal operation, the wheels
may lock so quickly that the blinking of the switch is
barely noticeable.
If operation of the switch is not possible for any
reason (ignition is turned off, vehicle is moving faster
than 25 mph, etc.), the LED will stop blinking and
turn off.
Slow Response: If operation of the switch is slowed
for any reason (vehicle moving too fast, low air
pressure, etc.), the switch will continue to blink until
the wheels are able to lock. As in the normal
response, the LED comes on steady and stays
illuminated once the wheels have locked.
NOTE: If the vehicle is moving too fast, let up
slightly on the accelerator. As the vehicle slows,
the wheels will lock.
Abnormal Response: If the LED blinks for more than
30 seconds, the lock mechanism may not be fully
engaged/disengaged. Bring the vehicle to an
authorized Freightliner service facility for testing.
10/26/2001
f610596
Fig. 16.1, Differential Lock Switch
Drive Axles
16.1
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