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.
Detroit
™
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.
IMPORTANT: On Detroit axles, the oil change
interval for long haul vehicles can be extended
to 500,000 miles (800 000 km) for axles with
weight ratings of 34,000 to 40,000 lb (15 000 to
18 000 kg) using synthetic lubricant if a lubricant
analysis shows adequate quality. Oil must be
changed at least every four years, and more
often if the axle is exposed to high temperatures
and steep grades.
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.
NOTE: Some Detroit 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.
4.
Check that the lubricant is level with the bottom
of the fill hole. See
. If low, check for oil
leaks, and correct as needed. Add oil to the level
of the fill plug, using the lubricant recommended
in
. See
for lubricant capacities.
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. Make sure that
it is open and unclogged. If the breather is
plugged or damaged, clean or replace it as
needed.
f350061a
10/05/2016
A
B
A. Correct (lube level at bottom of fill hole)
B. Incorrect (lube level below fill hole)
Fig. 1, Axle Lubricant Level Inspection
Rear Axle
35
Business Class M2 Maintenance Manual, November 2016
35/1
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