The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from February 2007

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from February 2007

Do it by the book ... But make sure the book's right.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... When it comes to operating and maintaining your equipment, improvising or working from memory is not recommended. It's too easy to get things wrong or forget something, which could result in equipment failure. That's never fun, especially in...

PPC is unit's job, now.(M1A2 SEP Tank ...)(prime power controller)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Mechanics, replacing the M1A2 SEP tank's prime power controller (PPC), NSN 5895-01-451-2020, has always been done by direct support. After all, the procedures are listed on Page 7-13 of TM 9-2350-388-34-1-2. TACOM says that's no longer...

Watch for water weekly.(Stryler ...)(Stryker)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Drivers, checking the fuel/water separator on your Stryker is a weekly PMCS task. Problem is, the engine compartment's dark and cramped. That makes it really hard to get a good look at the separator's plastic bowl. That's where the...

Making IETM surfing simple.(interactive electronic technical manual)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Using the Stryker IETM can be a real pain when you need to go back and forth between a maintenance task and the repair parts listing. Does this sound familiar? The maintenance task calls for a part. You go to the repair parts listing to...

Rub out steering leaks.(Stryler ...)(Strykers)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Mechanics, are you getting reports of low steering fluid in your unit's Strykers? Could be that the backup steering pump hose is getting a little too familiar with the drive shaft on those vehicles. On some Strykers, there's not enough...

End of shock washer woes.(M2/M3-Series Bradleys, MLRS ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Dear Half-Mast, We're having a washer issue here in Iraq. Whenever we order the outer washer, NGN 5310-00-928-1885, for the shock, absorbers on our M2A2 Bradleys, we get one that's much too small For the job. I'm not sure if we're...

Avoid a cover calamity.(M88A1 Recovery Vehicle ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Crewmen, be very careful when opening and securing the transmission oil filler access cover on your M88A1. Because the boom is often in the way, the latch that holds the cover up may not catch properly. The cover is very heavy, so you...

What to know before you tow.(M992A2 Ammo Carrier ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... But towing vehicle damage is exactly what can happen when you're using your M992A2 ammo carrier to tow another vehicle. Either a tow bar or tow cables can hit against the left and right rear door locking bracket assemblies whenever you make a...

M992A2/Paladin transmission door seal.(M992A2 Ammo Carrier ...)
February 1, 2007... When the left and right transmission door seals, NSN 5330-00-873-5385 and 5330-00-821-2282, on your M992A2 ammo carrier and M109A6 Paladin wear out, you're no longer required to replace them. Just scrape the seals from the channel on the access...

Cotter pin assortment.(M992A2 Ammo Carrier ...)
February 1, 2007... Get an assortment of 100 cotter pins with NSN 5315-00-598-5916. The pins range in size from 1/2 to 2 inches long. Make sure locking latch engages striker plate before tightening screws.

HMMWVs ...(Comic)(Brief article)(Cartoon)
February 1, 2007... YOU KNOW IF YOU INSTALLED MY HUB WASHERS WRONG, I'M DEADLINED! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IT'S BEEN SAID, "YOU DON'T MISS WHAT YOU HAVE UNTIL IT'S GONE." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THAT SAYING IS TRUE FOR YOUR HMMWVs SINCE THEY PLAY...

Geared hub washers can deadline.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... This isn't a new problem, but it's one that bears repeating. If your HMMWV's geared hub lockwashers are not bent properly into the locknut slots, then the tabs are more likely to crack or break off. That increases the chances that the locknut...

Increase tire mileage.(HMMWV ...)
February 1, 2007... With the increase in tactical missions, your HMMWV is being used more and more. So it's no surprise that the heavy usage has led to higher tire demand. And higher demands sometimes lead to supply shortages. To make tires last longer, don't...

Door freefall's not cool at all!(M1117 Armored Security Vehicles ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The engine service access door allows for quick checks of the engine oil and transmission and hydraulic fluids, and the air flow restriction indicator. But even though it gives you quick access, don't open it too quickly! This is because...

CTIS ECU differences.(M939A2-Series 5 Ton ...)(electronic control unit of combat terrain information systems)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... When it comes to replacing the electronic control unit (ECU) for the CTIS on an M939A2-series 5-tonner, remember there are two different ECUs available. You may have already noticed some differences between the older ECU and the newer ECU,...

Antifreeze NSNs.(FMTVs ...)
February 1, 2007... Item Size NSN 6850- Concentrated antifreeze A-A-52624 1-qt can 00-664-1399 Concentrated antifreeze A-A-52624 1-gal bottle 01-464-9125 Concentrated antifreeze A-A-52624...

Wing panel NSNs.(M871A2 Semitrailers ...)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... Dear Half-Mast, Our unit is looking for the left and right wing panels on the 22 1/2-ton flatbed semitrailer. The info shown for Item 1, Fig 28, TM 9-2330-386-14&P shows no matches for NSNs on FED LOG. And the part number for Item 3 comes...

Questions on small arms repair.
February 1, 2007... Pear Half-Mast, We had a couple oF questions about the article on Page 12 in PS 643 (Jun 06) about getting small arms help For repairs both at the unit and at the depot. The article said that when units send in weapons to depot for...

NSNs for new bipod parts.(M249 Machine Gun ...)(national stock numbers )(Table)
February 1, 2007... NSNs for New Bipod Parts The M249 machine gun has a new bipod, which means eventually you and your support will need to order parts for it. It will be some time before the parts are added to TM 9-1005-201-23&P, so keep these NSNs on...

Don't forget feed throat, BII.(MK19Machine Gun ...)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... Dear Editor, As a TACOM logistics assistance representative, I often assist units on the firing range. Time and again I find that some of the soldiers have Forgotten the Feed throat For their MK19s. It's easy to Forget the feed throat...

Ups and downs of antennas.(Sentinel Radar Systems ...)
February 1, 2007... Dear Editor, Remembering two things about your Sentinel's antenna can save you lots of grief: * Raise the antenna all the way. If the antenna is just one turn short of being Fully erect, you will get an antenna Fault. Crank the...

Outfoxing fox problems.(Fox NBC Vehicle ...)(Army Chemical School)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Dear Editor, Here at the U.S. Army Chemical School, we've come up with a Few ways to keep the Fox on the trail and not in the shop. Check coolant Fill cap. If the warming COOl, ANT light lights on the Data Word Display and the Fuel...

Smoke, smoke, smoke that gen-er-a-tor.(M157 Smoke Generator ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Smoking will be a pleasure with your M157 smoke generator if you remember this advice: Don't fill the fog oil tank all the way to the top, especially in hot weather. Fog oil expands and it really expands on a hot day. If you've filled the...

Need a dust cover?(AN/PDR-77 Radiacmeter ...)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... Dear Editor, If you lose the dust cover for the rear connector of the AN/PDR-77 radiacmeter's alpha probe, you won't find a way to order a new one in TM 11-6665-365-12&P. No NSN is listed for the dust cover. But our research has...

Remember AMG cover: remove the AMG (antenna mast group) pneumatic pump covers.(Patriot Missile System ...)
February 1, 2007... During operations, the covers for both pumps must be removed or the heat will build up so intensely that the plastic guards over the fans melt. Then the motor overheats and sometimes the whole motor has to be replaced. The covers can be...

A little latch lube saves big bucks.(Patriot Missile System ...)
February 1, 2007... Dear Editor, The bay doors on the Patriot's engagement control station (ECS), information and coordination central (ICC), and communications relay group all have latches that cost $275 a pop. So you want to make those latches last. If...

The point of PM.(Comic)(Cartoon)
February 1, 2007... "FOR WANT OF A NAIL THE SHOE WAS LOST. FOR WANT OF A SHOE THE HORSE WAS LOST. FOR WANT OF A HORSE THE RIDER WAS LOST. FOR WANT OF A RIDER THE BATTLE WAS LOST. FOR WANT OF A BATTLE THE KINGDOM WAS LOST. AND ALL FOR THE WANT OF A HORESESHOE...

Do-it-yourself maintenance.(Air Warrior ...)
February 1, 2007... OPERATORS AND MECHANICS, MAKING DOCTORS MAKING HOUSE CALLS IS A THING OF THE PAST! Playing doctor or doing unauthorized maintenance on the microclimate cooling system (MCS) should be a thing of the past, too. But that's not happening!...

Survival radio approved.
February 1, 2007... The AN/PRQ-7 combat survivor evader locator (CSEL) survival radio has been approved by the Army Aviation Warfighting Center at Ft Rucker. The radio comes with NSN 5826-01-499-4473.

Lap belt slingers.(UH-60 Series ...)(wearing cyclic boots and lap belt buckle)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Pilots and co-pilots, if the mission is over, slow down! Unhooking and slinging the lap belt buckle to exit your Black Hawk puts the cyclic boot cover in harm's way. When you toss the buckle, it smacks the cyclic boot. Over time that wears...

Mod FOD.(All Aircraft ...)(foreign object and debris )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The modification team is responsible for all aspects of the modification, even clean-up. However, things get missed at times. An aircraft can get a good workover when it's modified. Parts and components are removed from various places and...

Make this ground.(General Illumination Light Set ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... ARE YOU USING GENERAL ILLUMINATION LIGHT SET, NSN 6230-00-299-7077, WITH A GROUNDFAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER (GFCI) CIRCUIT BREAKER (CB) BOX. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IF THE ANSWER IS YES, MAKE SURE THE BOX IS GROUNDED TO THE GROUND...

Battery choices!?(5-, 10-, 15-, 30-, 60-KW TQG ...)
February 1, 2007... Dear HalF-Mast, In PS 638, (Jan 06), on Page 45, you gave some choices For 5-, 10-, 15-, 30-, and 60-KW tactical quiet; generator (TQG) batteries. You did not mention the 12-volt battery, NSN 6140-01-485-1472. It's currently used in 2...

Time to update your charger software?(PP-8498/U ...)
February 1, 2007... The PP-8498/U charger will keep batteries doing their power job in equipment like SINCGARS, TWS, MELIOS, REMBASS and PLGR. To get the best performance from your batteries your PP-8498/U may require a software upgrade. How do you know if you...

Power for the warfighter.(Commo Equipment Batteries ...)(http://www.monmouth.army.mil/cecom/l)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... First, go to: http://www.monmouth.army.mil/cecom/l Who We Are * Analyst Code Search * Send us your comments Logistics Support * Battery Support * Safety Messages * MSE Repair and Return Handy Tools ...

It still can be confusin'.(H-250, H-350 Handsets ...)(military combat radios from Sincgars)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... H-350 The H-350 handset, NSN 5965-01-128-3944, was made for the Air Force. It is now the standard handset for tactical field telephone sets. It is equipped with a six-pin plug connector, either SI-329/U or AP-116. The H-350 has a wider...

Are you on the level?(Containerized Kitchen ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... So check the bubble level on each wing. If the bubble is in the center, you're on the level. Leveling problems can start when you transport the CK: vibration loosens the screws and washers holding the levels, and one or both levels get out...

Let's patch.(Battle Dress Uniforms ...)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Does it feel drafty in here? If you're shivering in a draft, you could blame your office or barracks. On the other hand, the problem just might be all those small rips and holes in your BDUs. Until BDUs are no longer authorized for...

Things up.(method for patching)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... * Press the iron on the patch for about 12 seconds. Keep constant pressure on the patch and slightly rotate the iron. * Remove the iron. Let the patched area cool for several seconds. * If you've done a good patching job, the patch will...

Is it AMSS or amiss?(Reporting ...)
February 1, 2007... The AMSS report is one of few communications that start at the company level and eventually reach senior Army leaders through the Readiness Integrated Database (RIDB) at the Logistics Support Activity (LOGSA). Those leaders use those company...

Submit AMSS report online.(Maintenance Management ...)
February 1, 2007... You can now send AMSS data to the Logistics Support Activity (LOGSA) online The difficulties associated with email submissions can be avoided by uploading AMSS data and Installation Materiel Condition Status Reporting System (IMCSRS)...

Understanding the PS magazine issues and index webpage.
February 1, 2007... WE PUT PS MAGAZINE ONLINE SO YOU COULD REFER TO OUR PAST ISSUES. NOW WE WANT TO HELP YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF OUR ISSUES AND INDEX WEBPAGE. To view or read PS issues click here PS PDF files go back to Jan 99. From Jan 99-Sep 03...

Finding needles in the PS magazine haystack.(enhanced search engine)
February 1, 2007... PS MAGAZINE IS PACKED WITH INFO! THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR STRENGTH BUT MANY SOLDIERS TOLD US THEY WANTED A TOOL FOR SEARCHING ALL THAT INFO. NOW WE CAN HELP YOU FIND WHAT'S NEEDLING YOU. OUR NEW SEARCH TOOL IS EASY TO USE! ...

Address change for M48 filter replacements.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2007... On page 55 in PS 650 (Jan 07), we gave you contact info for replacements of M481 M48A1 gas particulate filters. That email address has changed to M48-M48AIGPF@conus.army.mil Questions about the M48/M48A1? Contact Kortnei Foulks at DSN...

New part number for M870/M870A1 brake shoes.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Use part number SB4692FC11SlL to get the brake shoes for your M870 and M870A1 semitrailers shown as Item 1 in Fig 11 in App E of TM 5-2330-378-14&P. That new part number replaces part numbers 57K1744 and M12WN103-1X which are obsolete. The new...

Falcon and Karcher decon support.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2007... If your chemical company uses the Falcon fixed-site decon system, NSN 4230-01-507-7363, or Karcher decon system, NSN 4230-01-508-7228, your contractor maintenance support expired at the end of 2006. If you need contractor support, you need to...

Tire lube NSN.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2007... Never use oil or grease to mount a tire. Petroleum deteriorates rubber. Instead, use a premixed tire lube. NSN 2640-00-256-5527 brings one gallon of the lube, Get five gallons with NSN 2640-00-256-5529.

Parts fabrication in SW Asia.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... If you're deployed in Southwest Asia and are having trouble getting replacement ferrous and non-ferrous metal parts for your equipment, the folks at PM Sets, Kits, Outfits and Tools (SKOT) may be able to help. They've established mobile parts...

M939/A1/A2 PMCS service kits.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2007... Use NSN 2590-01-541-4620 to get the semi-annual and annual service kit for the M939 and A1-model 5-ton trucks. NSN 2590-01-541-4611 gets the service kit for the A2-model truck. Both of these kits include all mandatory replacement parts...

John Deere equipment.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2007... Need help with your John Deere equipment in Iraq? Here's a place that can help with parts and service: Khudairi Group (Iraq) PO Box 3271 Sa'adoun Dist. 101/St. 87/No. 25 Baghdad, Iraq Cell: 1-965-706-4492 Email: AZKU@aol.com

Keeping back issues of PS.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2007... Occasionally we are asked how many years of PS Magazine do units need to have on hand. FM 4-30.3, Maintenance Operations and Procedures, Table A-1, Recommended Publications, says organizations should have PS Magazine "issues for last three...

Tire turn-in errors delay repairs.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2007... Turning in unserviceable tire and wheel assemblies using incorrect information costs repair sites time and money! Ensure all information is correct, especially NSNs and tire and wheel configurations. If you don't, your unit won't get credit.

Stryker ETM computer removal.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2007... The embedded training module (ETM) computer, NSN 5998-01-524-0260, will be removed from all M1133 MEV, M1134 ATGM, M1131 FSV, M1129/A1 MC, and M1127 RV Strykers during the next RESET, retrofit or annual service. Upon return of these vehicles,...

FMTV TMs tidbit.(Connie's Post Scripts)
February 1, 2007... Use EM 0122 to get current information on the basic FMTVs. The -A1 models are covered in EM 0195 (Jan 05). Both are available on LOGSA's ETM website: https://www.logsa.army.mil/etms/online.htm The paper manuals, including the -A1...

HEMTT oil filter.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Use NSN 2940-01-275-9608 to get the canister-type oil filter assembly for the HEMTT. This NSN replaces the parts info shown as Item 5 in Fig 17 of TM 9-2320279-24P-1, If you don't need the whole filter assembly, order NSN 2940-00-5806283 to get...