ArvinMeritor will expand the availability of its Meritor MXL (Meritor Extended Lube) driveline to the North American aftermarket.


This driveline was designed for truck operators who want reduced maintenance costs - up to $340 per truck in total service costs - and a longer warranty. The Meritor MXL is supplied with the same product ratings and application guidelines as the Meritor 17N, 176N and 18N series. A new
16N series for medium-duty vehicles will be available in spring 2011.

"The MXL combines the simplicity and durability of the proven RN U-joint design with the premium sealing capability of the RPL permanently lubed product," said Doug Ringer, product manager, Drivelines, Aftermarket for ArvinMeritor.

This series of greaseable drivelines - with 100,000-mile lubrication intervals and a three-year, 300,000-mile warranty in linehaul service - was introduced as an original equipment component in March 2009. It joins the RPL permanently-lubricated driveline in the Meritor family of driveline products for commercial vehicles.

At 100,000 miles, the MXL's lubrication interval is twice as long as other conventional, greaseable drivelines, the company says. It also aligns with recommended lubrication intervals of other chassis components in linehaul vocations.

The main and interaxle slip assemblies combine an advanced nitrile seal to keep contaminants out with a protective guard that resists road debris, increasing slip assembly operating life. The U-joint builds upon the proven Meritor RN series design. Its needle-bearing package with contoured ends minimize axial (side) loading, and the glass-reinforced nylon thrust washer prevents metal-to-metal contact, all of which result in greater reliability.

The MXL's RN Series yoke configurations are compatible with other industry standard yokes, making them completely interchangeable with most greaseable drivelines in linehaul use today. Truck operators may standardize on a single, greaseable driveline regardless of vehicle make or model. The product is available with both easy service and full round yoke designs.