The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly articles from July 2008

The PS Preventive Maintenance Monthly archives from July 2008

NCOs can make or break PMCS.
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Your soldiers lack training. It's up to the old timers and NCOs in the unit to see that the untrained get trained. Without good PMCS, you and your equipment can't roll when duty calls. Plus, it's important to...

Put the brakes to elbow problem.(Stryker ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A brake problem isn't high on the list of things you like to have happen with the Stryker, mechanics. One way you can head off those problems is by inspecting the brake line's pipe-to-tube elbow, NSN...

Protect fuel cell from punctures.(M2/M3-Series Bradleys ...)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Many crewmen store their BII equipment under the seat on the right side of the troop compartment. It's out of the way and doesn't appear to cause any problems. However, when doing that you need to remember that...

Doing the mine blade two-step.(M1-Series Tank ...)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Motors If the blades come crashing down when the electrical or manual blade release is used, too little oil or oil contamination could be the culprit. After you've confirmed the oil level is OK, use the...

NATO cap flap.(M577-, M1068-Series Command Post Carrier ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The receptacle faces straight up. With a leaky or missing cap, the receptacle fills up when it rains or when you wash your carrier. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Water corrodes the receptacle's metal contacts. It...

Keep the rust off.(M88A1 Recovery Vehicle ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Those tow bars and cables are completely useless if you can't get them loose from the on-vehicle stowage clamps, though. The clamps that hold the tow bars and cables in place will rust up if you ignore them. Then...

Getting the intercom to buzz off.(Armored Security Vehicle ...)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Dear Editor, We had several ASVs with a buzzing problem in the intercom system here in Iraq. After troubleshooting an ASV intercom, I found a loose plug. Then I found that all of the "buzzing ASVs" had the same...

A/C flushing tip.(M1114 HMMWVs ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mechanics, you might think that flushing your M1114's A/C system with denatured alcohol will help keep you cooler in the heat. And if you're in the sandbox, you might have already tried this. That might work for the...

Caught between a rock and a hardtop.(HMMWV ...)(hardtop for HMMWV )(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, We've had several of our M998 HMMWVs outfitted with the new fiberglass hardtops. Problem is, we're having a hard time finding replacement parts as they wear out. The HMMWV parts TM doesn't...

Green light for light bars.(HMMWVs ...)(high intensity discharge headlights)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Some of you told TACOM LCMC that you wanted to use IBISTEK light bars which are commercial, off-the-shelf products. You said that their high intensity discharge (HID) lamp could provide brighter light and a longer...

New relay gets you out of the doghouse.(PLS ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the past, the PLS truck has had problems with sticking magnetic relays. The solution for a stuck relay has been to bang on the doghouse. But now there's a new relay that should prevent sticking--getting you out of...

... Not done yet!(M917A1 Dump Truck ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Operators, there's one more "pull to go" on the dump truck's air system before you call it a day. That is, drain the air tank for the truck's tailgate and material control system (MCS). It's seldom drained...

Don't add oil!!!(Diesel Engines ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Jp-8 is a kerosene-based fuel that may break gunk and contaminants free from the sides of the vehicle's fuel tanks and lines. After your vehicle makes the switch to JP-8, pay close attention to the engine. When...

Keep seal sealing.(M149A2 Water Trailer ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MECHANICS, IF YOU SEE A LEAK AROUND THE WATER TRAILER'S MANHOLE COVER, REPLACE THE OLD SEAL WITH AN IMPROVED SEAL THAT COMES WITH NSN 5300-01-317-9640. HERE'S THE RIGHT WAY TO MAKE SURE THE SEAL STAYS PUT... ...

Make sure it's clean.(M16-Series Rifle, M4/M4A1 Carbine ...)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] An M16 rifle or M4 carbine that's filled with sand and carbon is a weapon doomed to failure. That lack of PM attention can doom you in a firefight with the enemy. Here are the cleaning basics for making sure your...

The line on unlined barrels.(M2 Machine Gun ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Unlined M2 machine gun barrels don't know when to leave. Even though the Army hasn't bought any of the barrels in years, they keep showing up in units. And they're bad news. Unlined barrels wear out 80 percent...

A better case for cases.(Sights ...)(cases for gun sights and night visions)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Dear Editor, Here at Ft Leonard Wood, we run into situations where the storage cases for night vision and small arms sights are either difficult to replace or don't do a good job protecting the sights. And some...

Don't hoard TMs in the arms room.(Small Arms ...)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Rifles, pistols and machine guns are routinely issued from arms rooms missing a vital component: the -10 TM. Armorers know that if the operator TMs leave the arms room a certain number of them will never make it...

Which sight do I use?(M4/M4A1 Carbine ...)(backup iron sight for carbines )(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, My unit just got new M4 carbines with the M68 optical sight and the backup iron sight (BUIS). We are unsure how to use the sights. Is the M68 the primary sight? Can you zero the M68 and then zero...

Spot painting easier with WD CARC.
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] The Differences * Compatibility. Since WD CARC is fully compatible with all existing CARC primers and topcoats, you can use it to touch up a vehicle that's been painted with solvent-based CARC. *...

Ground support equipment?(Aircraft General ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Sergeant Blade, In our hangar, we have different types of aviation ground support equipment (AGSE). If something breaks down, we try to find an NSN for replacement parts or the end item in FED LOG. But often...

Turn in unserviceable test gear.(Aircraft General ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The digitizer, radio meter and the A-tools for the electronic equipment test facility (EETF) are in short supply. If you have unserviceable A-tools, NSN 5120-01-285-9806, or radio meters, NSN 5895-01-292-6533,...

Who knows where it all goes?(Forms ...)(DA Form 2410)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mechanics, the guessing game is over as to where the information on DA Form 2410 and DA Form 2408-19-3 ends up after you send them to AMCOM. When you receive a component without a DA Form 2410 or a DA Form...

Depressurize hydraulic systems first.(CH-47D ...)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Servicing or removing lines on any system under pressure will create a mess you'll be cleaning for days. For example, if you don't depressurize your bird's APU start system before trying to remove lines from the...

Slippery night vision goggle connector.(HGU-56/P, NVG ...)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Don't snatch out the AN/AVS-6(V)1/2 night vision goggle (NVG) power pack cable. That wears out the fairlead block inside the HGU-56/P helmet connector access cover. Pretty soon, the entire connector will come out....

Helmet communication cord problems.(ALSE ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] ALSE techs, have you ordered a replacement communications cord, NSN 5995-01-391-9894, for your HGU-56/P aircrew integrated helmet system (AIHS)? If the answer is yes, and it doesn't work, hold your horses and...

HEMTT and pallet mounting.(M139 Mine Dispenser ...)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Half-Mast, Can the Volcano be mounted on a HEMTT? And is there a way to use pallets for easier mounting? MAJ S.P., Dear Major S.P., Yes and no and yes. Change 2 to the Volcano's TM...

Volcano + FMTV dump truck = ok!(M139 Mine Dispenser ...)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Change 6 to TM 9-1095-208-10-1 authorized that. But to put the Volcano on the FMTV dump truck you need an adapter kit, which you can get free from the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) by...

Don't forget the trailer.(Mine Clearing Line Charge ...)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The MICLIC won't be able to clear any paths through mine fields if it can't get to the mine field. That's why you need to pay just as much attention to the MICLIC's trailer as you do to the MICLIC itself. ...

Expansion tank markup.(HYEX ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Your -10 TM tells you to keep the coolant level between the LOW and FULL marks on the tank. The marks are located on the area of the tank that faces inward toward the access area, so they're a little hard to see. ...

Oil check reminder.(HYEX ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In cold weather, oil may need more changing than the -10 TM says. Sludge from condensation and dilution from fuel are the culprits. So every time you check the oil level, look and feel to detect sludge--it'll...

Tandem tidbits.(130G Road Grader ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Air Line Bind Eyeball the air line that's mounted along the grader's tandems. This air line is part of the vehicle's air brake system. Look for dents and holes in the air line caused by rocks and gravel....

Wheel rim assembly.(950B Scoop Loader ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Use NSN 2530-01-535-2892 to get a new wheel rim assembly kit for models AGK and AGL 950B scoop loaders. This new assembly will show up as Item 1 in Fig 148 of TM 5-3805-258-23P. The following parts are included with the kit: ...

What container works.(Shipping Containers ...)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The army's shipping and storage containers come in different sizes. They fit the bill for protecting equipment, supplies, inventory and other property from weather and theft. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Shipment packaging and labeling.(Maintenance Management ...)
July 1, 2008... HOW CAN PARTS ARRIVE IN SUCH DIFFERENT CONDITIONS? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PACKAGING AND LABELING AREN'T JUST HUMDRUM ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS; THEY ARE CRITICAL IN THE DELIVERY OF PARTS AND SUPPLIES TO SOLDIERS EVERYWHERE. LET'S...

Aviation deficiency reports go joint.(Maintenance Management ...)(JDRS)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Previously, managers could only see failures that were documented in their service's PQDR system. Under the old system, one service might be more aware of potential failures because their fleet of a particular...

Watch the widget, keep your digits!(Safety)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A staff sergeant suffered a severe finger injury installing tracks on a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. As he was reassembling the track and ensuring all track pins were in place, he signaled the driver to move forward...

Combined Logistics Excellence Awards 2008.(Awards list)
July 1, 2008... CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE 2008 CHIEF OF STAFF, ARMY COMBINED LOGISTICS EXCELLENCE AWARDS. YOUR SELECTION PUTS YOU AMONG THE BEST IN THE ARMY. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ARMY AWARDS FOR MAINTENANCE EXCELLENCE ACTIVE...

Clean up with hand sanitizer.(Connie's Post Scripts)
July 1, 2008... Purell hand sanitizer can be locally purchased using NSN 6508-01-535-5409. This NSN brings twenty-four 3 fl oz bottles in foliage green. The containers are built to withstand heat and can be opened with one hand. The sanitizer kills 99.99...

M1-series tank gun tube.(Connie's Post Scripts)
July 1, 2008... Got an M256 gun tube on your M1-series tank that's deemed unserviceable because of pitting, erosion or round count? Here's what to do. Regular Army units should fill out a DA Form 2765-1 and submit it to your Supply Support Activity (SSA). Army...

Address change for mortar help desk.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... The TMs for the M95/M96 mortar fire control system (MFCS), and M32 lightweight handheld mortar ballistic computer (LHMBC) give an assistance email address in their "Reporting Software and Hardware" sections. That address has changed to: ...

M1A1 RTNB subassembly.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Mechanics, if you're trying to order the subassembly (Item 16A in Fig 140 of TM 9-2350-264-24P-2) for the M1A1's redesigned turret networks box (RTNB), stop! Although it appears you can order it with NSN 6625-01-547-4335, the subassembly was...

Vacuum sealer and bags.(Connie's Post Scripts)
July 1, 2008... ALSE techs, there are some items that need to be protected in a heat-sealed vacuum-packed bag. If you need a vacuum sealer, order it with NSN 345001-386-2478. NSN 8105-01-381-6365 brings an 8 x 240-in roll of bag material and NSN...

Up-armored HMMWV A/C compressor.(Connie's Post Scripts)
July 1, 2008... Need the NSN for your M1151, M1152, and M1165 up-armored HMMWV's air conditioner compressor shown as Item 3 in Fig 276G of TM 9-2320-387-24P? Place your order using NSN 4130-01-539-6297. And make a note until the TM is updated.

SECM compressor NSN change.(Connie's Post Scripts)(shop equipment contact maintenance)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... If you have SECM (shop equipment contact maintenance), NSN 4940-01-333-8471, the NSN for its three-phase air compressor has changed from 4310-01-432-9655 (PN 11B297018) to 4310-01-550-2779 (PN 11B297018). If you have SECM, NSN 4940-01-333-8470,...

Explosion-proof flashlights.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Working in an area where there's risk of explosion from flammable vapors, POL, ammunition, explosives or combustible dusts? Need a light that's safe to use in these areas? GSA has explosion-proof flashlights that are up to the task. NSN...

Stryker tow bar revisited.(Connie's Post Scripts)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... On Page 2 of PS 664 (Mar 08), we told you to use NSN 2540-01517-9227 to get a two-piece tow bar wide enough to use with slat armor-equipped Strykers. Turns out that tow bar is a non-stocked TACOM item and all requisitions are being rejected....

Tail wheel lock actuator pin.(Connie's Post Scripts)
July 1, 2008... We told you on page 35 of PS 665 (Apr 07) that if the quick release pin is not in place before towing your AH-64, the tail wheel lock actuator will shear. That's not quite correct. It is the tail wheel lock pin that will shear. Make sure the...