35-7

Breather Oil Leak on Sterling Tandem Rear Axles
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Sterling
Service Bulletin

360
Bullet

Description of Revision: This bulletin replaces the version dated
July 2010. For this version, the pre-approval instructions and the
QuickClaim table were removed, model year information was
added to General Information, and the breather part number was
updated.

General Information
On vehicles produced before model year 2009 (MY09) and equipped with Sterling (also known as Detroit™) tandem rear axles, there may be an oil leak from the external breather on the forward-rear differential carrier. An
additional internal breather is available for installation to remedy such a leak. See Fig. 1. If there is an oil leak
from the external breather, remove the differential carrier and install the internal breather, following the instructions in this bulletin.

12/10/2007

f350489

Fig. 1, Internal Breather

Part Required
The internal breather (see Table 1) is available through drop shipment only. Please specify overnight shipping
when placing the order.

Part Number
MBA 6073510065

Part Required
Description
Breather, Internal

Qty.
1

Table 1, Part Required

Breather Installation Procedure
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, shut down the engine, set the parking brake, and chock the front tires.
2. Put the transmission in neutral.
3. If applicable, release the suspension air pressure.

WARNING
Never work around or under a vehicle that is supported only by a jack. Always support the vehicle with
safety stands. Jacks can slip, causing the vehicle to fall, which could result in serious injury or death.

Sterling Service Bulletin, September 2014

Page 1

35-7

Breather Oil Leak on Sterling Tandem Rear Axles

Sterling
Service Bulletin

> L-Line
> A-Line

Cargo
> Acterra

360
Bullet

4. Using suitable jacks, raise the vehicle evenly until there is room to fit a jack underneath the axle housing.
Support the vehicle with safety stands.
5. Remove the tires and wheels. For instructions, see Group 40 in the applicable vehicle workshop manual.
6. Remove the oil drain plug from the bottom of the axle housing and drain the oil. Install the drain plug after
emptying.
7. Disconnect the driveshaft from the carrier yoke. For instructions, see Group 41 in the applicable vehicle
workshop manual. Using suitable straps, support the end of the driveshaft by attaching it to the frame rail.
8. Place a basin under the axle shaft flanges to catch any oil; then remove the axle shafts as follows.
8.1

Remove the drive axle stud nuts that attach the axle shaft to the wheel hub.

8.2

Tap the axle shaft flange if necessary to loosen it, and slide the axle shaft out of the axle. Remove
and discard the gasket.

9. Using a suitable jack, support the differential carrier. Chain the differential carrier to the jack.

NOTICE
When using a pry bar, be careful not to damage the carrier or housing flange. Damage to these surfaces
will cause oil leaks.
10. Remove the differential carrier from the axle housing as follows.
10.1

Remove all but the top two forward carrier capscrews.

NOTE: Loosen and back off, but do not remove, the top two carrier capscrews. The capscrews
will hold the carrier in the housing.
10.2

Using a pry bar with a round end, separate the mating surfaces of the forward differential carrier and
axle housing.

10.3

When the surfaces are separated, remove the top two capscrews.

10.4

With the carrier on the jack, slide the carrier away from the rear axle housing.

WARNING
The differential carrier is very heavy. Do not try to remove it without a suitable support. To do so could
result in the carrier falling, resulting in serious personal injury and component damage.
10.5

Lift the carrier assembly onto a suitable stand.

NOTICE
If the area around the breather hole is recessed instead of flush (see Fig. 2), do not install the internal
breather.
11. Using a hammer, install the internal breather (cone pointing down) in the breather hole inside the carrier
that connects to the external breather. See Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.
Tap the breather in until it seats; but no more, or you could loosen it.
12. Remove any old sealant material from the mating surfaces of the axle housing. Clean the inside of the rear
axle housing and the forward carrier mating surface.

Page 2

Sterling Service Bulletin, September 2014

35-7

Breather Oil Leak on Sterling Tandem Rear Axles
> L-Line
> A-Line

Cargo
> Acterra

Sterling
Service Bulletin

360
Bullet

A

B

1

2

07/13/2010

f350513

A. Flush breather hole; internal breather may be
used.
B. Recessed breather hole; do not use the internal
breather.
1. Top of Carrier
2. External Breather
Fig. 2, Breather Hole Configurations

13. Apply a thin bead of Loctite® 5900 sealant all the way around the mating surface of the axle housing, and
around each bolt hole.

NOTE: Alignment dowels for installing the differential carrier can be made by sawing off the heads of
two M16 x 1.5 x 100 mm bolts.
14. Install alignment dowels 180 degrees apart at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions on the axle housing
flange.
15. Position the forward differential carrier in front of the axle housing, using an axle jack or other suitable lifting
tool.

Sterling Service Bulletin, September 2014

Page 3

35-7

Breather Oil Leak on Sterling Tandem Rear Axles

Sterling
Service Bulletin

> L-Line
> A-Line

Cargo
> Acterra

360
Bullet

A

2

1

1

B
A
12/10/2007

f350491

A. Cone is pointing down.
1. Internal Breather
2. External Breather
12/10/2007

f350490

Fig. 4, Internal Breather Installed

A. Top of Carrier
B. Use this hole (connects to external breather) for
installation.
1. External Breather
Fig. 3, Location of Breather Hole

NOTICE
Do not use a hammer or a mallet to install the differential carrier. A hammer or a mallet will damage the
mounting flange of the carrier and cause oil leaks.
16. Install the end caps on the sides of the forward differential carrier into the corresponding slots in the axle
housing as follows. See Fig. 5.
16.1

For the last 3/4 inch (19 mm) or so of travel, walk the carrier slowly into the housing.

IMPORTANT: The end caps fit tightly into the axle housing. Be very careful not to cock the carrier.
16.2

Install the forward carrier capscrews finger-tight. Make sure the carrier capscrews turn easily in the
axle housing.

16.3

In a star pattern, gradually tighten the M16 forward carrier capscrews 200 lbf·ft (270 N·m).

17. Connect the driveshaft to the carrier yoke. For instructions, see Group 41 in the applicable vehicle workshop manual.
18. Install the axle shafts as follows.
18.1

Page 4

On one side of the vehicle, position a new gasket on the axle shaft flange.

Sterling Service Bulletin, September 2014

35-7

Breather Oil Leak on Sterling Tandem Rear Axles
> L-Line
> A-Line

18.2

Cargo
> Acterra

Sterling
Service Bulletin

360
Bullet

Slide the axle shaft into the axle. See Fig. 6.
1
2
3

2

3

11/10/2004

1

f350438

1. Differential Carrier
2. End Cap Bolt

3. End Cap

Fig. 5, Carrier End Caps

12/13/2004

f350440

Apply light pressure with the hand or knee at the arrow.
Use the adjustable wrench to center the shaft.
1. Axle Shaft
2. Axle Flange

3. Adjustable Wrench

Fig. 6, Installing the Axle Shaft

18.3

Apply light pressure with the hand or knee to the axle flange.

18.4

Use an adjustable wrench to center the shaft. Turn the shaft with a slight rotating motion.

18.5

Install the drive axle stud nuts and tighten them as follows:
• ½–20 nuts: 75 to 115 lbf·ft (102 to 156 N·m)
• 5/8–18 nuts: 150 to 170 lbf·ft (203 to 230 N·m)

18.6

Repeat the procedure on the other side of the vehicle.

19. Install the wheels and tires. For instructions, see Group 40 in the applicable vehicle workshop manual.
20. Using approved axle oil, fill the axle housing to the bottom of the fill hole, or until filled to capacity as shown
in Table 2.
Approved Forward Carrier Axle Oil Type and Capacity
Capacity: quarts (liters)
Oil Type
Hubs Full
Hubs Dry
80W-90 Gear Oil
14.3 (13.5)
15.9 (15.0)
75W-90 Synthetic Gear Oil
Table 2, Approved Forward Carrier Axle Oil Type
and Capacity

Sterling Service Bulletin, September 2014

Page 5

35-7

Breather Oil Leak on Sterling Tandem Rear Axles

Sterling
Service Bulletin

> L-Line
> A-Line

Cargo
> Acterra

360
Bullet

21. To lubricate the wheel ends, tilt the axle to the left and right by jacking the opposite side 8 inches (20 cm).
Hold the tilted position for two minutes on each side to allow oil to run into the wheel end. Return the axle
to a level position, and add oil through the axle housing filler hole. About two more pints (1 liter) of lubricant
will be needed to bring the oil level even with the base of the filler hole.

NOTICE
Make sure the hubs are filled. Driving with the hubs dry will cause bearing damage.
22. Raise the vehicle, remove the safety stands, then lower the vehicle.
23. As applicable, start the engine, build the air pressure, and check that the suspension air bags inflate evenly
and correctly. Make sure the ride height is correct.
24. Check the oil level in the axle housing. The level should be up to the bottom of the fill hole. Add approved
axle oil, if needed.
25. Remove the chocks from the front tires.

Warranty
Normal warranty applies. See Table 3 for VMRS code and labor allowance information, and refer to this bulletin
by number in the story of the claim.

Component Code
022-004-126

Cause Code
12

OWL VMRS Codes and Labor Allowance
SRT Code
Description
420-5055A Breather, Differential Carrier Internal, Install

Time: Hours
4.3

Table 3, OWL VMRS Codes and Labor Allowance

Page 6

Sterling Service Bulletin, September 2014