The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from August 2008

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from August 2008

Now that's a plan.
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Everybody makes plans; it's just human nature. For instance, before you go on a road trip, you first decide on a destination. Then you consult a roadmap, determine what highways to take, make a few motel...

Hub oil simplified.(Stryker ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The wheel hubs on your Stryker have sight glasses for checking the oil, drivers. Easy stuff, huh? It's a little more complicated than you might think. Checking the oil is actually a two-step process that involves...

Loose nuts = loose wheels.(Stryker ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Just one loose wheel nut will put more strain on its neighbors. They loosen and, before you know it, you've got a runaway wheel. Look closely at the wheel stud nuts when you perform before operation PMCS. If you...

Gasket makes a differential difference.(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Mechanics, when you remove the fill plug to add oil to the differential, take a close look at the metal gasket on the plug. If the gasket is missing or damaged, oil will leak from around the plug. Lose enough oil and the differential gears...

Hot refueling allowed?(Stryker ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, In Iraq, saving time on a mission can be vitally important. So we like to refuel our Strykers on the move. "Hot refueling" allows us to complete a mission faster and get our Strykers back out...

How full is too full?(M1-Series Tanks ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Crewmen, when it's time to fill the fuel cells on your M1-series tank, ask yourself, "How full is too full?" The answer too many tankers come up with is, "As full as I can get it!" Those are the same tankers who...

M113A3 FOV hose clamp change.(M113-Series FOV ...)
August 1, 2008... The heater kit hose clamp shown as Item 21 in Fig 310 and Item 22 in Fig 348 of TM 9-2350-277-24P (EM 00400) is too large. Use NSN 4730-00-908-6293 to get the correct lamp.

Idler wheel lubing a must!(M113-Series FOV ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Crewmen, it's out-of-sight, out-of-mind when it comes to lubing the idler wheel support arms on your M113-series carrier. Support arms sit behind the idler wheels and are often covered with mud, so the grease...

Turn in IBAS unserviceables.(M2A3, M3A3 Bradleys ...)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] The Army is running out of Bradley A3-series improved Bradley acquisition system (IBAS) repair parts because units aren't turning in unserviceable IBAS components. The depot doesn't have IBAS components to...

Get a handle on it!(M2/M3-Series Bradleys ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, I'm hoping you can help settle an argument. On some of our Bradleys, the lead seals on the fire suppression system's external pull handles have corroded. Some of them are so bad that they crumble...

Turret cleanup a must.(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] The old saying, "There's a place for everything and everything in its place," takes on new meaning when you're talking about your Bradley turret, crewmen. Loose items, such as tools, parts, trash, and TMs, can...

Problem with chain? The answer is plain!(M88A1 Recovery Vehicle ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, I have an M88A1 engine sling, NSN 3940-00-622-7288, with two unserviceable chain sling legs. Fig 318 of TM 9-2350-256-24P-1 lists only the sling. The characteristics data in FED LOG gives PN...

What to do with that extra wire.(M992A2 Ammo Carrier ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The are wire in the lower front of the engine compartment of some M992A2 ammo carriers has some extra slack, mechanics. During production, that slack was coiled up in the corner of the engine compartment to keep it...

Battery removal and installation.(MRAP ...)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] You've just deployed to the sandbox again, but this time something's different. There's a new vehicle in your unit's motor pool. Now you have the IMG mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle, NSN...

Use the label!(Lead-Acid Batteries ...)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You've probably noticed the label on your vehicle's lead-acid battery. You know, the one with the removable tabs for month and year. You're supposed to remove the appropriate tabs when you install the battery....

In-line fuel filter fix.(M939A2-Series Trucks ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Using the bigger filter should fix the problem of clogging, which stops you in your tracks. NSN 4930-01-387-1147 brings the bigger and better in-line fuel filter kit. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] So get your unit...

Longer lasting geared hub seal.(HMMWVs ...)
August 1, 2008... Dear Editor, Our unit uses the old-style inner geared hub seal, NSN 5330-01-180-9099, on our HMMWVs. They work well enough, but we've found that another geared hub seal, NSN 5330-01-456-3884, lasts longer. It costs more, but it's worth it...

Out with the old rear condensers.(Up-Armored HMMWVs ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Problems in the field led TACOM LCMC to develop a new rear condenser. It allows for more clearance and has a beefed-up closeout panel. That should curb damage. The original rear condensers, NSN 4130-01-537-4847...

Missing washer kills crane.(M984E1 HEMTT Wrecker ...)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If the crane on your HEMTT wrecker won't work, it could be due to a small star washer that's missing from the ground wire. The washer, NSN 5310-00-935-8984, is shown on Page 14-13 of TM 9-2320-279-20-2 for axle...

Can you see me now?(Wheeled Vehicles ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When vehicles get rear-ended, sometimes it's because the driver didn't see the vehicle in front until it was too late. Give those drivers behind you all the help you can by using reflective decals. You'll need...

M929A2 brake release knob.
August 1, 2008... Use NSN 5335-01-292-7833 to get the knob (and roll pin) for the spring brake release control valve assembly on the 5-ton dump truck. Make a note until the knob is called out separately in Fig 283 of TM 9-2320-272-24P-1. [ILLUSTRATION...

The ITAS has it!
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Do the weekly PMCS and systems checks. That makes sure that when lives are on the line the ITAS is ready to deliver. The lithium battery box (LBB) is the power source for the ITAS. The LBB needs to be recharged to at...

No idle GDU help.(MLRS ...)(gunner's display unit)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, If we have to shut down the gunner's display unit (GDU) because the MLRS launcher is not running, it takes us at least 10 minutes to power the GDU back up. Is it a good idea to use a small...

TOW test equipment obsolete.
August 1, 2008... The basic TOW missile equipment that was fielded in the 1980s with the Bradley has been replaced by the TOW 2 system. As a result, all basic TOW test equipment is obsolete and should be turned in. See Figs 1, 47, and 63 in TM...

Quarterly inspection fine tuned.(M2 Machine Gun ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The M2 machine gun's quarterly inspection criteria in TM 9-1005-213-23 & P are a little cloudy about what's OK and not OK. To clear up confusion, TACOM-RI is adding these steps to the quarterly inspection of the...

M66 mount draft TM online.
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, We need repair parts for our M66 ring mount. But the M66's new TM 9-1005-335-13 & P hasn't come out yet. Where can we go for part NSNs and maintenance info on the M66? SSG R. R. Dear...

Ordering timing poster, smart card.(M2 Machine Gun ...)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Every M2 machine gunner needs to know exactly how to time and headspace his weapon. Mistakes can be deadly. To help educate gunners, units can order both a headspace and timing poster and a smart card that fits...

Heat shield good for both barrels.(M249 Machine Gun ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, We got the new short barrels for our M249 machine guns, but we didn't get a new heat shield for the short barrels and the old heat shields don't fit. You can't attach the heat shield to the front...

NSN for sight bracket?(MK 19 Machine Gun ...)
August 1, 2008... Dear Half-Mast, We tried to order quadrant sight mounting brackets for our MK 19 machine guns, but the NSN listed in the TM is no longer good. Is there a good NSN? SSG G.T. Dear Sergeant G.T., Yes, use NSN 1240-01-515-3767 to...

Training for the dangers of IED.
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Increment 2 Training IED (TIED 2)--The TIED 2 kit is a non-pyrotechnic IED simulator that uses C[O.sub.2] and talcum powder to create the smoke effect of an explosion. TIED 2 can also be used with pyrotechnic devices...

FOD busters.(foreign object damage)(Cartoon)
August 1, 2008... THIS IS JANET SMART REPORTING FOR WERD TV. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, WE'VE HAD REPORTS OF STRANGE HAPPENINGS AT AVIATION COMPANIES ALPHA AND BRAVO. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HELICOPTERS SEEM TO BE OUT OF...

Caps and plugs OK, bags are not!(All Aircraft ...)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Not covering aircraft lines, tubes and fittings with caps or plugs while performing checks or maintenance is a bad check against you. Here are some results you might see: * Dirt in open lines contaminates fluids...

Get a grip on flyer gloves.(Air Warrior ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Aviation folks can wear these gloves as an alternative to flyer's gloves MIL-DTL-81188C, summer, type GS/FRP-2. The Project Manager, Clothing and Individual Equipment, has given approval for optional use of the...

Helmet communication.(HGU-56P AIHS ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The HGU-56/P aircrew integrated helmet system (AIHS) can work for you or against you. It depends on how well you take care of the helmet. If you frequently push in and pull out the communication earplug (CEP)...

Let's talk gauges.(Tactical Quiet Generators ...)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Is the 24-volt fuel gauge, water temperature gauge, or oil pressure gauge on your tactical quiet generator maxing out or burning out? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If one or all of them are, the problem may be with...

We're not kidding, they will explode!(Battery Safety ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] 1. If it takes two, replace two! Always replace all the batteries in a piece of equipment at the same time (except for memory-hold batteries). They should both be fresh and fully charged. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

These aren't for flashlights!(Lithium Battery Safety ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you're using BA-5123/U, 3-volt lithium batteries in your flashlight, make sure they're not Interstate 123A batteries. These batteries come with a warning from the manufacturer that states: "Not recommended for use...

This is a test.(Commo Batteries ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 3.6V Li-Ion rechargeable (RCR123A, 18500, 17650, 18650) 1.5V button cell (S76, A76, A625, A640) 1.2V NiMH/NiCad Rechargeable (AA, AAA, C, D) 1.5V alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D, N) 9V alkaline 12V...

Vehicle-mounted charger gets upgraded.(Commo Batteries ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] VEHICLE-MOUNTED CHARGER, PP-8481B/U, NSN 6130-01-527-2726, HAS GOTTEN A SOFTWARE UPGRADE TO REVISION A OR GREATER. DOWNLOAD THE SOFTWARE FROM C-E LCMC'S WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.MONMOUTH.ARMY.MIL/...

No calibration means no accuracy.(M41 PATS ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... If CBRN specialists let their M41 PATS (protection assessment test system) go year after year without calibration, your PATS will start flunking perfectly good masks. That's not PATS' fault, it's your fault. PATS needs to be sent off...

Trouble-free troubleshooting.(M157 Smoke Generator ...)
August 1, 2008... Dear Editor, Through years of keeping the M157 smoke generators running for the Chemical School at Ft Leonard Wood, I've come up with a couple of troubleshooting tips: * If the fog oil pump won't come on during the start procedure,...

Think safety, not comfort.(JSLIST ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * It may make the pants more comfortable if you don't hook up the two velcro waist straps, but that leaves the straps dangling. They can catch on something and break the JSLIST's seal. Always connect the waist...

AFS replaces GVO, BVO boots.(JSLIST ...)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The AFS is a lightweight chemical and biological agent protective overboot made of compounded butyl rubber. It should provide 24 hours of protection when exposed to chemical agents in liquid, vapor or aerosol form....

A beacon to safely guide your way.(Lanterns ...)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] * Read all safety, operating and maintenance instructions that come with your lantern. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Use only approved fuels recommended by the manufacturer. Unapproved fuels may cause a fire or...

It's a cinch.(Tents ...)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] * temperature changes * rope swelling when it's wet * variations in ropes from different suppliers

Low heat to dry ECWCS parka.(extended cold weather clothing system )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Set your machine dryer to LOW heat when drying your generation II extended cold weather clothing system (ECWCS) parka in universal camouflage. Hotter settings partly melt the 2-in adhesive buffer tape along the...

Safety--what weighs heavy on your mind?(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A private first class in Iraq suffered a concussion in 2007 when he tried to mount an M2 on an M1114 by himself. He did not properly support the weapon and it fell on his head. Yeah, Ouch! Use the buddy system...

Tailor pubs to unit needs.
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] EOPDB Team Using the team means that you get their expertise in dealing with the database. You also get three reports (the Pubs, LIN and Reject Reports) in place of the single LIW report. [ILLUSTRATION...

Connie's post scripts.(List)
August 1, 2008... M1070 Tow Shackle NSN Use NSN 4030-01-539-5345 to get a 17-ton tow shackle for the HET and PLS. This NSN replaces the 13-ton tow shackle shown in the BII as Item 33 on Page B-11 of TM 9-2320-360-10. BRIDGE WEIGHT CLASS SIGN Use...

Do you know how your hazmat is stored?(Cartoon)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES CALL FOR CAREFUL STORAGE. KEEP MSDS REPORTS UP-TO-DATE AND MAKE SURE SOLVENTS, PAINTS, OIL, GREASE AND ADHESIVES ARE STORED PROPERLY. SEE THE DIFFERENCE PROPER STORAGE MAKES! ...