PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-584
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 584
JULY 2001
PS 584
JUL 01
19
AVLB…
AVLB crews often complain about loud squeaks when they launch or retrieve their
bridge. But they shouldn’t. Squeaks are an early warning signal that something
needs lube.
Those squeaks come from areas near grease fittings. If you don’t lube those areas,
bearings soon burn out or seize. If a bearing seizes, something breaks.
So keep your AVLB lubed and get rid of those loud squeaks. Follow LO 5-5420-
202-12 to the letter—and then some.
LO lube intervals were set by assuming that an AVLB normally launches its
bridge about four times a month.
If you launch your bridges more often, you need to shorten lube intervals. Eyeball
the lube points more often with more launches, or if the weather's been rainy, or hot
and dusty.
Any time a hinge point badly needs lube, you’ll
see a rusty color or powdery substance around it.
Any squeaking of the bridge during launching or
retrieving means the inner and outer center hinge
pins need lube.
Before operation is the best time to do the extra
check. If you see rust, or the fitting appears dry,
lube it. Always wipe off excess lube so it won’t col-
lect dirt and sand. After lubing, launch the bridge
to evenly distribute the lube—then lube again.
PS 584
JUL 01
18
M113-Series FOV…
or safety’s sake, it’s a good idea to
buckle up before taking your M113-
series carrier for a run.
‘Course, all the buckling in the world
won’t help if the seat belts don’t work.
Dirt, sand and other gunk collect
inside the seat belt’s latch mechanism.
Eventually the mechanism freezes and
you can’t latch or unlatch the seat belt.
A little PM will keep you safely
buckled in place. First, pull back
the latch cover and use a clean cloth
to wipe any dirt out of the mecha-
nism. Use a toothbrush to get the
crud out of nooks and crannies.
Next, put a few squirts of CLP,
NSN 9150-01-054-6453, on the
latch mechanism hinge. Then open
and close the latch cover several
times to work the oil in.
Finally, wipe the belts with a clean, damp cloth. That gets rid of dirt that
could end up inside the latch mechanism when you adjust the seat belt.
Once the seat belts are clean, make sure you use them
every time
you
drive the vehicle.
he latch
a tooth-
mecha-
e oil in.
t that
.
e
you
Rust or
powder
around
hinge?
Lube it
YEOW!
Where’s
that
NOise
coming
from?
thank
goodness I
pulled pm on
my seatbelt
this morning!
I thought
you were
a goner!
Crud collects inside and
freezes latch mechanism
A few drops of oil here
keeps belt buckling
584. 18-19 (C)
5/27/01
5:04 PM
Page 1
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