ArvinMeritor says its Meritor MXL (Meritor Extended Lube) series of greaseable drivelines is now  available to the North American aftermarket. With 100,000-mile lubrication intervals and a three-year, 300,000-mile warranty in linehaul service, it joins the RPL permanently lubricated driveline in the Meritor family.

Designed for truck operators who want reduced maintenance costs – up to $340 per truck less, the company claims – and a longer warranty, the Meritor MXL was first introduced as an OEM product 2 years ago. It’s 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.

It combines the simplicity of the RN U-joint design with the premium sealing capability of the RPL permanently lubed product, ArvinMeritor says.

At 100,000 miles, the MXL’s lubrication interval is claimed to be twice as long as other conventional, greaseable drivelines. 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, ArvinMeritor explains. Reliability is said to be enhanced because the u-joint’s needle-bearing package with contoured ends minimizes axial (side) loading, and the glass-reinforced nylon thrust washer prevents metal-to-metal contact.

The MXL’s RN Series yoke configurations are compatible with other industry-standard yokes.