freightliner MC - Axle Lubricant Level Checking

35–00 Safety Precautions
Safety Precautions in this section apply to all
procedures within this group.
DANGER
When working on the vehicle, shut down the en-
gine, set the parking brake, and chock the tires.
Before working under the vehicle, always place
jack stands under the frame rails to ensure the
vehicle cannot drop. Failure to follow these steps
could result in serious personal injury or death.
35–01 Axle Lubricant Level
Checking
NOTICE
Failure to keep the rear axle filled to the proper
level with the recommended lubricant can result in
rear axle damage.
NOTE: If the vehicle is exposed to water deep
enough to cover the hubs, disassemble and in-
spect them for water damage and/or contamina-
tion. See Group 35 of the Recreational Vehicle
Chassis Workshop Manual for instructions, or
take the vehicle to an authorized Freightliner
dealer.
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 fill plug and the area surrounding the
fill plug on the side of the axle carrier. Remove
the plug. Check lubricant level when the axle is
cold, or near room temperature. See
Fig. 1 and
Fig. 2.
NOTE: Some Meritor axles have a small tapped
and plugged hole located below the housing oil
fill hole. This smaller hole is for the lubricant
temperature sensor only and must not be used
as a fill or level hole.
4. Check that the lubricant is level with the bottom
of the fill hole. See Fig. 3. If low, check for oil
leaks, and correct as needed. Add oil to the level
of the fill plug, using the lubricant in
Table 1 for
Detroit axles or Table 2 for Meritor axles.
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 the oil fill plug and tighten it 30 lbf·ft (41
N·m) for Detroit axles or 35 lbf·ft (47 N·m) for
Meritor axles.
10/17/2012 f350574
A
B
1
2
3
4
4
NOTE: Typical engine-rear configuration shown; engine-
front configuration is similar.
A. Rear View
B. Front View
1. Axle Housing Breather
2. Breather Hose
3. Oil Fill Plug
4. Oil Drain Plug
Fig. 1, Component Locations, Detroit Axles
Rear Axle 35
Recreational Vehicle Chassis Maintenance Manual, June 2015 35/1