Rear differential fluid change

[captpar]

When is it due? One check list said due on first 6000 maintenance. Checked my receipt from freightliner and it wasn't listed.

[captpar]

When is it due? One check list said due on first 6000 maintenance. Checked my receipt from freightliner and it wasn't listed.

[chasfm11]

The owners manual used to have the maintenance schedules in but I justed looked at the latest on-line version and they are not in there.

In the "Know your Chassis" manual here it says that the Meritor axle fluid should be changed every 12 months. In my manual, the same requirement said 24 months or 24K miles. I suspect that almost all of us would use the time versus the mileage change interval.

[Jestme13]

For peace of mind considerations i changed mine at 1 yr, 13,000 miles. I always change my vehicles gear oils after a breakin period that I chose. I like to get those lap in filings out of there. I will change fluids now every 2 yrs regardless of miles, and use a good synthetic gear lube.

[JoeT]

Freightliner recommends changing differential fluid annually. Meritor or not. At a recent FL Seminar I asked why. The answer was because of moisture buildup.

[captpar]

One other question, I assume all the oil in the rear axles comes out with the differential oil. The book says to tilt the Rv 4 inches on one side to fill one of the axles. Please explain if you all do this.

[chasfm11]

I personally don't see why any owner, after the coach manufacuturer is done and the unit is deliered, would have to do that. Any units are build in upper Indiana and have to be driven to be delivered. Some can have almost 2K miles on them by the time that the first owner seems them. Additionally, we bought ours with 24K miles on it.

No, I don't try to tilt the axle to drain the fluid or when I replace it. I wait until the center reservoir stops dripping and then I put the new stuff in. I'm not worried about whatever fluid was left in the outer parts of the axle. Actually, since I do the fluid replacement exactly on time and what I get out looks the same as what I put back in, I'm not at all certain that I'm not doing overkill.

[Hooligan]

captpar: Meritor specifies rear axle oil is changed annually (50,000miles)for petroleum based or 3years (250,000 mi)for motorhome with approved Synthetic or extended change lubricant.
Meritor axle
Hope this helps...

[smlranger]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hooligan:
captpar: Meritor specifies rear axle oil is changed annually (50,000miles)for petroleum based or 3years (250,000 mi)for motorhome with approved Synthetic or extended change lubricant.
Meritor axle
Hope this helps... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I had mine changed at the local CAT dealer 2 years ago and they put synthetic gear oil in it. I am certainly not of the opinion that it needs to be changed more often that every 3 - 4 years....and that's probably overkill assuming 5,000 - 6,000 miles annually.

[RLS]

My Ford Super Duty came from the factory with synthetic. The oil change interval per the manual was 100,000 miles. When I changed it at 101K the oil looked like new. This was not a light duty truck, I used it for towing a race trailer all over the mid west. I realize this is not the same thing as a motor home, but just a point of interest. I think the manufactures tend to over service components used in motorhomes based on the fact that these items would normally be used it heavy duty trucking aplications. When I changed my motorhomes rear fluid last year, the old oil also looked like new.

[Jestme13]

I'd be willing to bet that the syn gear lube I just put in, will last 100K. But Changing it out is a peace of mind thing, and cheap insurance. Besides, it gives you a chance to crawl around under the coach and play.

[historyljc]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Besides, it gives you a chance to crawl around under the coach and play. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
You gotta be a thinner than I am.

[DAN L]

I hope you are using jackstands of appropriate capacity when "playing" under your moho.

[Jestme13]

Oh Yea, 20 ton stands under the frame rails. As a matter of fact, I was out playing under the MH today. We leave for Pigeon Forge tomorrow morning, I feel good !