Cleaning, Inspection, Repair and replacement – Spicer Drive Axles Service Manual Single Axles 2-Speed & Double Reduction User Manual
Page 10: Maintenance / adjustment, Periodic service

Cleaning
Proper cleaning requires complete
disassembly.
The differential carrier assembly may be
steam cleaned only while mounted in
housing provided all openings are plugged.
Wash steel parts with machined surfaces in
a commercial solvent.
Wash castings or other rough parts in
solvent or clean in hot solution tanks using
mild alkali solutions, heating parts
thoroughly before rinsing.
Rinse all parts thoroughly. Dry immediately
with clean rags. Lightly oil parts and wrap
in corrosion-resistant paper if not reused
immediately. Store parts in a clean,
dry place.
Inspection
All axle components should be closely
inspected after cleaning to determine
which require replacement. For more
detailed inspection guidelines and failure
analysis, see Spicer Failure Analysis
Service Manual AXSM-0020
In General:
Inspect steel parts for notches, visible steps
or grooves. Look for scuffing, deformation
or discoloration related to improper
lubrication.
Inspect gear teeth for signs of excessive
wear, pitting or cracking along contact
lines before reusing. Check tooth contact
pattern.
Inspect machined surfaces of cast or
malleable parts for cracks, scoring, and
wear. Look for elongation of drilled holes,
wear on machined surfaces and nicks or
burrs in mating surfaces.
Inspect fasteners for rounded heads, bends,
cracks or damaged threads.
The axle housing should be inspected for
cracks or leaks, loose studs or cross-
threaded holes.
A
CAUTION: Any damage which affects
the alignment or structural integrity of the
housing requires housing replacement.
Repair by welding or straightening should
not be attempted. This process can affect
the housing metallurgy and cause it to fail
completely when under load.
Repair and Replacement
Replace lower-cost parts, such as thrust
washers, seals, etc., that protect the axle
from premature wear and do not add
greatly to the cost of your rebuild.
Replace heavily worn but unbroken parts,
since the damage done, should they fail,
would greatly exceed their replacement cost.
Steel parts such as shafts or gears are not
repairable. If worn or damaged, they should
be replaced, along with mating parts as
necessary.
Seals and washers should be routinely
replaced. Fasteners with self-locking
patches may be reused if secured with
several drops of Loctite #277.
Axle housing repairs are limited to removal
of nicks or burrs on machined surfaces or
replacement of damaged studs.
10
Section 2
WARNING: Gasoline is not an
acceptable cleaning solvent because
of its extreme combustibility. It is
unsafe in the workshop environment.
MAINTENANCE / ADJUSTMENT
Periodic
Service