Since its introduction, Meritor says the 14X has exceeded performance and reliability expectations and become the most widely adopted axle in the commercial vehicle industry.
“We would like to thank our customers for their support of our products. They are the most important element of our business,” says 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 commercial truck history: the Meritor RT145.”
According to Meritor, the 14X is the lightest axle in its class and handles up to 2,050 ft.-lbs. of torque. Other features of the axle are said to include:
- A 2.47 ratio, which is the fastest axle ratio in the industry and the most fuel efficient solution for vehicles with direct drive transmissions. With ratios ranging from 2.47-7.17, the 14X contains the most expansive ratio range available to address specific application needs.
- A more robust inter-axle differential (IAD), which is 20 percent 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, improving 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 associated with wide base tire applications.
“As a result of listening to our customers and understanding the focus on fuel economy and reliability, we engineered the Meritor 14X axle to deliver improved fuel economy, maximum performance and superior efficiency for North American fleets,” Plomin says.
