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Sterling Diff.

JTWAT

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Joined
Mar 14, 2012
Messages
233
Location
Central FLA
I have a 2000 Sterling LT9500 Dump Truck. The rear most differential is coming apart and needs to be replaced. The one in the truck is a remaned unit with the rebuilders own tag on it with a serial number. I called them to find out what type of Diff. it is but they were not wanting to tell me. My question is, does the Vin. tell you what axles are in a truck? I think it may be a Meritor but not sure.
 

Junkyard

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Jun 5, 2016
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3,904
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Claremore, OK
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Field Mechanic
VIN will tell you assuming the suspension or rear ends haven’t been changed. Any good rebuilder can identify it to exchange it for you. Is there a legible tag on the front diff? If you know what it is, that info will identify the rear diff.
 

Tyler d4c

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Mar 2, 2016
Messages
2,663
Location
Salix Pa
The little triangle piece on top the dash 3 screws take it off under there is a tag that will tell you what they are if they havent been swaped
 

Truck Shop

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Dec 7, 2015
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WWW.
Why would anyone swap drives in a sterling? But with that, about 95% possibility
Meritor 20/40-145.
 

crane operator

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Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Messages
10,220
Location
sw missouri
Good pictures of the front and rear diff, and someone here will be able to identify it.

Pictures of the housing tag would be nice, there's usually 2.


Jacking up the rear and spinning a tire , while counting revolutions of the axle/wheel and the drive line will give you the rear ratio.
 

JTWAT

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Mar 14, 2012
Messages
233
Location
Central FLA
I found out it is a Meritor. Attached is a photo of the tag on the axle.
 

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Truck Shop

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Dec 7, 2015
Messages
25,342
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WWW.
N

Not swapping to a different axle. The rear diff is torn up and needs replacement.
My point was--the replies before me saying if possibly swapped, I'm not implying your
going to swap it.
I found out it is a Meritor. Attached is a photo of the tag on the axle.
Just what I thought you would find, Meritor/Rockwell, the primary for Ford/Sterling.
*
But that is a housing tag, you need the tag on center drive unit. Or look through the
description in link I posted #7.
 

Tyler d4c

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Joined
Mar 2, 2016
Messages
2,663
Location
Salix Pa
My point was--the replies before me saying if possibly swapped, I'm not implying your
going to swap it.

Just what I thought you would find, Meritor/Rockwell, the primary for Ford/Sterling.
*
But that is a housing tag, you need the tag on center drive unit. Or look through the
description in link I posted #7.
Easy on the sterlings TS some of us like them!!!!!
 

Tyler d4c

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Mar 2, 2016
Messages
2,663
Location
Salix Pa
Ha that would be a sight if the op was close id tell him he could have the rears out of the roll over
 

crane operator

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10,220
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sw missouri
It's always the wrong tag, the one you need will be knocked off.

It's easiest for me to look at the front diff for a visual identification. The 20-145's have a real sharp square casting at the top/front area . Screenshot_20260528-151836.Chrome.png
 

JTWAT

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Joined
Mar 14, 2012
Messages
233
Location
Central FLA
Thanks for the tips and information. I called Weller and gave them their serial number and they have one in stock Jacksonville Fl. As soon as I get the old one out I can call them and they will deliver next day.
Sorry I didn't catch your pun Truck Stop, but I get it. :D
 

Welder Dave

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Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
18,079
Location
Canada
I've never seen that grill on a Sterling before. It looks good. Too bad Ford quit making big trucks. I think the Aeromax was one of the best looking trucks on the market. Freightliner should have kept the Ford designs like the Aeromax and LTL too. I thought Ford trucks were pretty popular.
 
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