The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from December 2003

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from December 2003

It's in the cards.(M1A2 SEP Tank, M104 Wolverine ...)
December 1, 2003... If your M1A2 SEP or M104 Wolverine still has any of the older Army embedded GPS receiver (AEGR) circuit cards, NSN 599801-463-1005 (PN 12438580 or 110100), turn them in right now! That includes any AEGR cards found in the turret mission...

Install plenum seals right!(M1-Series Tanks, M104 Wolverine ...)
December 1, 2003... Mechanics, there's a shortage of the new style plenum seals, NSN 5330-01-416-0888, for M1-series tank engines. That means when you order a new one, you may get the old style seal, NSN 5330-01-079-9954. Either seal will work, but the old...

What's your motto?(M2/M3-Series Bradleys ...)
December 1, 2003... "The right tool for the right task." That's a motto to live by, Bradley mechanics. Unfortunately, the motto of some mechanics is "Use whatever's handy". When removing the engine compartment power unit access door, some mechanics are...

Be patient with heather.(MLRS Carrier ...)
December 1, 2003... Having trouble with a slow-starting personnel heater, NSN 2540-01-114-7688, on your MLRS carrier? Could be there's no problem at all. Those heaters come equipped with either an old-or new-style regulator, NSN 2540-12-171-3208. The old...

Grease not always needed.(M113A3 FOV ...)
December 1, 2003... Mechanics, when you get in a new universal joint for an M113A3, don't assume that it has to have grease fittings. There are two different U-joint types available. NSN 2520-00-001-3530 brings a U-joint that has grease fittings. NSN...

Adjusting screw "shimmy".(M198 Towed Howitzer ...)
December 1, 2003... Improperly shimmed equilibrator adjusting screws on your M198 towed howitzer are bad news, crewmen. If there is a gap above the adjusting screw, the screw will be pulled up and down as the cannon tube is elevated and depressed. A large...

Check scale alignment.(M198 Towed Howitzer ...)
December 1, 2003... Part of MWO 9-1025-21-50-5 (Jun 93) for the M198 towed howitzer included the installation of new equilibrator adjustment scales, NSN 6695-01-386-2774 and 6695-01-386-8345. Unfortunately, the installation instructions were a little faulty. ...

Order Parts, not whole kit.(G/VLLD ...)
December 1, 2003... WHEN YOU NEED NEW SUPPLIES FOR THE G/VLLD CLEANING KIT, DO NOT ORDER THE ENTIRE KIT, NSN 1260-01151-2698. THE KIT COSTS MORE THAN $170. YOU CAN ORDER THE INDIVIDUAL PARTS OF THE KIT FOR LESS THAN $110 WITH THESE NSNS... Screw cap...

Lots of clean air.(MW24C Scoop Loader ...)
December 1, 2003... Any dirt or mud caked in the transmission oil cooler fins will stop air flow that carries heat from the oil, causing the engine or transmission to overheat. So clean any dirt or mud off the fins with low-pressure water or air. Before the...

Tailgate tidbit.(M917A1 Dump Truck ...)
December 1, 2003... There's no doubt that cold weather can cause the dump truck's tailgate and material control system (MCS) to move slowly. But before you point a finger at Mother Nature, make sure the air tank for the tailgate and material control system is...

Fuel and water.(CCE ...)
December 1, 2003... Water in your grader, loader, scraper, excavator, or dozer's fuel system is the biggest cause of clogged fuel filters and mined injectors. Actually, nearly all fuel contains some water. Condensation adds more moisture to closed fuel...

Rough start reminder.(HYEX ...)
December 1, 2003... Operators, your hydraulic excavator may be hard to start when the temperature drops below freezing. The cold weather starter system has a fuel canister that automatically injects ether into the engine when you push the cold start button....

Sneaky leak fix.(815F Compactor ...)
December 1, 2003... Mechanics, a little tape takes care of a sneaky leak that can get on your nerves. After cleaning out the crud in the compactor's fuel tank, you have to reinstall the tank's drain plug. Make it leak proof with antiseize tape, NSN...

Put the clamps on corrosion.(Lead-Acid Batteries ...)
December 1, 2003... Dear Half-Mast, At one time I heard it was a good idea to put a light coat of grease on the terminals of our vehicles' lead-acid batteries. Supposedly, this helps prevent corrosion and makes the clamps easier to remove. Is this true?...

Gladhand & cable care a must.(M1070/M1000 HETS ...)
December 1, 2003... Cables Before installing cables, take a close look at the connectors and receptacles for dirt and corrosion. Loose dirt can usually be blown out with the help of an air hose. Stubborn dirt can be a little tougher. Try clipping off all...

Choose tires wisely.(HEMTTs ...)
December 1, 2003... Dear Half-Mast, I was about to change some tires on an M984E1 HEMTT wrecker when I noticed that we had different tire brands in stock. The tires are all the same size, but they have different tread patterns. What's the scoop on mixing...

Be safe with safety.(M9 Pistol ...)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... Dear Editor, During our recent arms room inspections in Bosnia, we found a number of M9 pistols that had safeties that were dangerously worn. We think it is because pistols in that environment are continually cleared for loading and...

Listen to the voices of experience.(MLRS ...)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... Dear Editor, Here at this Ft Hood MLRS unit we've come up with a few suggestions that we think will help other MLRS units: * Two bolts to check before leaving the motor pool are the cab hold-down bolts. Crews remove the bolts to tilt...

Make necessary adjustments.(Avenger Missile System ...)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... Dear Editor, Through my experience with the Avenger, I've come up with a few simple suggestions that will shoot down some big Avenger problems. Batteries: The Avenger is extremely sensitive to low voltage. Many Avenger problems can be...

Stop sand from stopping IFF.(Patriot Missile System ...)
December 1, 2003... Sand in the desert gets inside the Patriot's radar shelter and then in the CP-1187( )/ TPX-46A(V)7 signal processor inside the shelter. That causes the IFF interrogator to fail and makes the whole Patriot NMC. But a little extra filtering...

The downfall of quick-start McGraw.
December 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: A COLD MORNING IN THE DESERT... HMM... TIME TO GET THE TROOPS TO POLICE THE AREA. I GOTTA GET MY PAPER WORK DONE! WHAT'S GOING ON HERE!? LOOKIT THAT STACK O' 2404S! BURNED-OUT...

A riveting idea.(All Aircraft ...)
December 1, 2003... Airframe repairers, the smart and safe way to remove or install rivets on your bird's delicate airframe is to follow the procedures laid out for you in general aircraft TM 1-1500-204-23-10, Chapter 7. Since all rivet heads are not the same...

Blade spindle droop stop nut tool.(UH-60A/L ...)
December 1, 2003... Dear Sergeant; Blade, We have problems performing maintenance on the Black Hawk main rotor blade spindle droop stop nut, NSN 5310-01-102-8858. With 570 to 630 lb-in of torque, it's one tough cookie to remove and install. The initial...

Blowin' in the wind.(AH-64D ...)
December 1, 2003... Mechanics, you can't see the wind but you sure feel it when it's blowing. And wind or rotor wash can do a number on loose Apache APU access doors and drive shaft panel doors. Panels doors left open and not tied down will flail around in...

Don't forget protective window covers.(AH-64A/D ...)
December 1, 2003... Aircraft armorer, your Longbow or A-model Apache's Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (TADS/PNVS) boresight, nightside and dayside shroud covers can damage the TADS/PNVS if they're forgotten and left on during...

Paint hangar lifting devices?
December 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: TO PAINT OR NOT TO PAINT YON HANGAR LIFTING HOOK? THAT IS THE QUESTION! THE ANSWER IS NO! TO EXPOUND: "PAINTING HOOKS CAN PREVENT PROPER VISUAL INSPECTIONS OF CRACKS. CHECK OUT TB 43-0412 FOR...

Protect fire extinguisher data plate.(All Aircraft ...)
December 1, 2003... Crew chiefs, aircraft portable hand-held fire extinguishers that are handled frequently and exposed to the forces of nature can have worn-out data plates. The data plate information is important because the extinguisher is inspected and...

Battery tester a bright idea.
December 1, 2003... Dear MSG Half-Mast, Pitching BA-5372/U and BA-1372/U batteries because we THINK they are no longer good is costly. My unit invested in a $30 battery tester and we Feel like we saved more than $300 in the first 6 months by not throwing away...

Doing the grounding thing.(M934-Series Expansible Van ...)
December 1, 2003... The M934 expansible van, the equipment inside it, the 60-KW generator it is pulling and the trailer that generator is riding on are all one system. A system requires a system ground. It's not enough to ground just one or two pieces of the...

Static charge on the antenna.(AN/PRC-150 HF Radios ...)
December 1, 2003... Even your AT-1011, the 32-ft whip antenna used with the AN/PRC-150 family of radios, is subject to laws. One of those is Coulomb's Law, "The force between two charges is equal to the product of the two charges divided by the square of the...

Winter refresher course.(Troop Support ...)
December 1, 2003... Ice, snow and bone-chilling cold are headed your way. Learn how to protect yourself and your troop support equipment from the rigors of winter. Begin your education by reading a few back issues of PS, the Preventive Maintenance Monthly. Issues...

Underwear for action heroes.(Extended Cold Weather Clothing ...)
December 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: GREETINGS, ACTION MOVIE FANS, IT IS I, REINHOLD BEEFENCAKER, WORLD CLASS BODY BUILDER, MOTION PICTURE ACTION HERO AND STAR OF ZA SILVER SCREEN. TODAY I'D LIKE TO TAKE TIME OUT FROM MY BUSY SCHEDULE OF...

The long and short of it.(Sleeping Bags ...)
December 1, 2003... Do your friends call you Stretch or Too Tall? Are your legs so long that your feet dangle over the end of the bed? Is your sleeping bag so short that you're exposed to the elements? Now there's help for your sleepless nights. The Defense...

Expert advice from the experts.(M12A1 Decon ...)
December 1, 2003... Dear Editor, Through experience using and maintaining our M12A1 decons, we've come up with these suggestions for decontaminating potential problems: Have extra hoses made. The discharge and eductor hoses are fabricated locally....

The secrets for deconning success.(M17 Decon ...)
December 1, 2003... Dear Editor, Through trial and error, every chemical company learns the tricks of getting the most out of their M17 decons. These are our secrets for successful deconning: * Heavy carbon buildup in the igniter tube can ground out the...

Twas the week before Christmas.(Past Turn-in ...)
December 1, 2003... Twas the week before Christmas, and all through Fort Blue, Not a mechanic was happy, awaiting some clue. While the orders sat on the ULLS clerk's chair, In hopes that some parts soon would be there. The parts had been ordered but supplies...

PS is online for you.
December 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: PS WAS DESIGNED TO BE SMALL AND EASILY CARRIED BY SOLDIERS IN MOTOR POOLS, ARMS ROOMS, OR TO THE FIELD. THE COMING OF THE INTERNET AGE HAS ALLOWED US TO GIVE SOLDIERS AN EASILY ACCESSIBLE REFERENCE TO...

Connie's post scripts.
December 1, 2003... B-1 MAINTENANCE STAND Trying to order the hand jack boot, PN 22203, listed in TM 55-1730-223-23P? Don't waste your time. It's source coded XA, so you'll have to order the next higher assembly, hydraulic hand jack, NSN 5120-01-325-3163. ...

Sand is the enemy in the desert.
December 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: YOU'RE IN TROUBLE, NOW! YOUR RIFLE WON'T SHOOT WITH ALL THAT SAND ON IT! YOU SHOULDA WIPED IT DRY!