Axle Filling
1.
With the vehicle on a level surface, fill the axle
housing to the bottom of the oil fill hole (in the
carrier or housing) with lubricant. See
for
axle lubricant capacities and see
for ap-
proved axle lubricants.
NOTE: Meritor axles have a small tapped and
plugged hole located near and below the hous-
ing oil fill hole. This smaller hole is for the lubri-
cant temperature sensor only, and must not be
used as a fill or level hole.
2.
Install the fill hole plug, and tighten it 35 lbf·ft (47
N·m).
3.
After filling the carrier and housing assembly with
lubricant, drive the vehicle, unloaded, for 1 or 2
miles (2 or 3 kilometers) at speeds not to exceed
25 mph (40 km/h), to thoroughly circulate the
lubricant throughout the assembly.
35–03 Axle Breather Checking
NOTE: On ABP axles, the axle housing breather
is located on the carrier assembly.
The axle housing breather must remain unob-
structed. Whenever the axle lubricant level is
checked, also check that the axle breather is open.
Check more often under poor operating conditions. If
the breather is plugged, clean or replace it as
needed.
Rear Axle
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School Bus Chassis Maintenance Manual, July 2003
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