Community Forums

buddy110 · 05-25-2023, 10:14 AM

I am doing my annual service. Anyone know what weight and how much gear oil is needed?

Cruzer · 05-25-2023, 10:21 AM

SAE 85W-140 for the Meritor drive axles. 41 pints for the RC-23-161 as used in the Cornerstone.

However, you can use 75W-140 synthetic lube as well.

The proper level is to fill it to the bottom threads in the oil fill plug. Fill it slowly near the end and if it runs out a bit just let it, then cap it off. You can usually stick your pinky in there to see when you're getting close.

buddy110 · 05-25-2023, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruzer

SAE 85W-140 for the Meritor drive axles. 41 pints for the RC-23-161 as used in the Cornerstone.

However, you can use 75W-140 synthetic lube as well.

The proper level is to fill it to the bottom threads in the oil fill plug. Fill it slowly near the end and if it runs out a bit just let it, then cap it off. You can usually stick your pinky in there to see when you're getting close.

41 pints???

Holy crap that's a lot.

Cruzer · 05-25-2023, 02:36 PM

Yeah, it's a big pumpkin. But that's what my Spartan class docs show. They make include a pint or two for the axle end shaft bearings so always fill to the filler plug threads. But it will be close enough so be sure you have enough lube. A 5 gallo9n pail on synthetic works for me. I run 5 years though between changes. It's synthetic and these coaches don't rack up the miles like an 18 wheeler. When I worked on trucks we didn't touch the lube until 100K miles.

tom chelbana · 05-25-2023, 07:43 PM

Have a 18 LA with the Spartan K-3 605 chassis which should be same as yours. There are 2 plugs at the midlevel of the housing with the top being for inspection and then a inch or so a little lower is the fill and check level plug. Don't fill the top plug which is for inspection only. When did the LA it came to 5 gallons.

sflabrkr · 05-29-2023, 08:26 AM

5 gallons, what do you use to pump it in?

757driver · 05-29-2023, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sflabrkr

5 gallons, what do you use to pump it in?

Something like this. Fits on a 5 gal. pail.

buddy110 · 06-01-2023, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruzer

SAE 85W-140 for the Meritor drive axles. 41 pints for the RC-23-161 as used in the Cornerstone.

However, you can use 75W-140 synthetic lube as well.

The proper level is to fill it to the bottom threads in the oil fill plug. Fill it slowly near the end and if it runs out a bit just let it, then cap it off. You can usually stick your pinky in there to see when you're getting close.

There are two plugs on the rear of the pumpkin. One is a square bolt and the other a plug. I assume the plug is the fill height, not the square bolt?

brobox · 06-01-2023, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddy110

There are two plugs on the rear of the pumpkin. One is a square bolt and the other a plug. I assume the plug is the fill height, not the square bolt?

Fill from the top plug until it runs out of the bottom plug. Put bottom plug it fast, it's full. Take your time removing the hose from the top plug and cleaning up.