PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-585
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 585
AUGUST 2001
...
the master cylinder on your small trailer with hydraulic brakes? If your answer
is yes—even though you have to crawl underneath the trailer to see it—that's good.
At least you know that
some trailers, like the 1
1
∕
2
-ton
models, have master cylinders
under the box. Other trailers,
like the M149-series water
trailers, have master cylinders
located out in the open, right
behind the lunette.
Now, since you can see one master cylinder while standing up, that one may get a
maintenance check every now and then. But
when was the last time you pulled PMCS on
that out-of-the-way component, the one
you've got to get down and dirty to maintain?
Too many trailers have master cylinders
that are filled with water or rust instead of
brake fluid. It's a sure sign that PMCS is not
being done. It's also proof that your trailer's
brakes are not going to do their job.
So grab your trailer TM, pinpoint the location of the master cylinder (usually
mounted on the frame next to the curbside wheel), and give it a complete going-over.
Check for water and rust. If you
find either, get your mechanic on
the job. He's got some draining and
cleanup to do.
If your cylinder is simply a little
short on fluid, make sure it's added
while you're thinking about it—
because the master cylinder is out
of sight and often out of mind.
PS 585
AUG 01
8
Tactical Vehicles…
Water Crossing Means Lube Change
W
ater and oil don't mix.
Keep those words in mind when you
ford a hub-deep stream with hot axle
housings.
Water will cool hot metal and create
a vacuum inside those housings. The
vacuum draws water past the axle seals
and into the gear oil. Water-contami-
nated oil is a poor lubricant, so gears
wear and fail.
Contamination can happen whether
you ford a stream or just drive through
hub-deep water. So how can you know
for sure that water has been sucked
into the axle housing? You can't. The
point is that you should take no
chances on ruining differential gears.
After a run through water, remember
that your mechanic has a lube job to do
when you get back to the motor pool.
eat and weather are double trouble for
unpainted truck exhaust pipes. Rust sets in
and, before you know it, you've got an exhaust
leak, making your vehicle NMC.
You mechanics can stop rust with a protec-
tive coating of heat-resistant paint. It takes the
heat, protects against weather damage, and
adds miles to the truck’s exhaust system.
NSN 8010-00-616-4009 gets a 1-gal bucket
of olive drab paint. Use NSN 8010-01-478-
0496 for a gallon of desert tan paint.
I
found
it!
When we get
back, our
first
stop
is the
lube rack!
Heat-resistant
paint adds miles
to exhaust system
Some trailers have
very accessible
master cylinders…
…while others
are hard to reach
Cap missing? Check
for contamination
Small Trailers.
..
585. 08-09 (C)
6/28/01
1:33 PM
Page 1
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