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MOTORINDIA
l
March 2012
Growing demand for Meritor 14X
tandem drive axles
Meritor, Inc. has just announced that it has
equipped trucks with more than one lakh 14X
tandem drive axles since its launch less than
two years ago. Since introduction, the 14X
has exceeded performance and reliability ex-
pectations and
become the most
w i d e l y
adopted
axle in the
c omme r -
cial vehicle
industry.
“We would like
to thank our customers
for their support of our products.
They are the most important element
of our business,” said Joe Plomin, Vice President,
North and South America, Truck, Meritor. “The 14X is
an advanced axle system and was built on the legacy of
the highest-volume tandem drive axle in the commercial
truck history: the Meritor RT145.”
As the lightest axle in its class, the features and ben-
efits of the Meritor 14X axle include:
• A 2.47 ratio, which is the fastest axle ratio in the
industry and the most fuel-efficient solution for vehi-
cles with direct drive transmissions. With ratios ranging
from 2.47-7.17, the 14X has the most expansive ratio
range available to address specific application needs.
• A more robust inter-axle differential (IAD), which is
20 per cent larger than its predecessor, the RT145, with
fewer parts.
• An all-new industry benchmark axle breather, which
prevents water and other contaminants from entering
the carrier while keeping lube in place.
• A standard premium Amboid gearing design, im-
proving inter-axle driveline angles.
• An optional Meritor DualTrac housing, providing
flexibility to choose between dual and single wide-based
tires, addressing wheel bearing overload issues associ-
ated with wide base tire applications.
“As a result of listening to our customers and under-
standing the focus on fuel economy and reliability, we
engineered the Meritor 14X axle to deliver improved
fuel economy, maximum performance and superior ef-
ficiency for North American fleets,” Plomin said.
The company’s highly industry-savvy field team,
available across the US and Canada, assists dealers and
fleet operators with specifications, technical support,
training and service. Meritor’s Aftermarket business,
which includes parts-inventory and service specialists
in Florence, Ky., Brampton, Ontario, and Monterrey,
Mexico, provides responsive after-sales support for the
14X, ultimately minimizing vehicle downtime.
w
Component zone
Meritor’s 14X axle not only handles up to 2,050
foot-pounds of torque, but also provides fleets
with reduced maintenance and downtime. Driv-
ers of vehicles equipped with 14X are rewarded
with a smooth ride due to reduced driveline vi-
bration.