PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-594
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 594
MAY 2002
I
f you’ve noticed cracks developing on the underside of the turret, don’t panic.
Your tank is not coming apart at the seams.
In most cases, these are not cracks
in the armor but in the thin metal skin
that covers the bottom of the turret.
The cracks need to be repaired,
though, so keep an eye out for them
during your PMCS. If you spot any,
let your mechanic know. He’ll fix
them following the procedures that
start on Page 5-361 of TM 9-2350-
264-20-2-3.
PS 594
17
M1A1 Tank…
Is Your Tank Cracking Up?
Air Filters
Eyeball the air cleaner indicator in the engine compartment
before
every oper-
ation. If the indicator is in the red, double check it like this:
1.
Push the reset button.
2.
Start the engine and hold the
accelerator pedal all the way
down for 5 seconds. Then let the
engine idle for about 30 seconds.
3.
Cut the engine and recheck
the indicator. If it’s in the red
again, remove and clean the air
filter V-pack.
Door Seals
The cab is over-pressurized
during firing to prevent toxic
fumes from entering the cab. If
the door seals aren’t in good
shape, rocket exhaust gas can
enter the cab.
Check the rubber seals
before
every operation. If they are dry
or brittle, get ‘em replaced.
Lowering the Cab
Before lowering the cab, check inside for any TMs, tools or other items that
may have fallen around the accelerator and brake pedals. Anything that gets in the
way will be crushed and can damage the control linkages as the cab is lowered.
Once the cab is down, lock it down
right or you could ruin the threads on
the hold-down nuts or crack the frame.
If the nuts are not seated or tightened
right, the cab sits cockeyed. The frame
can crack as the cab flexes. The nuts
can bind, too, so keep the threads clean.
Never cross-thread ‘em or the entire
hold-down assembly has to be replaced.
Use a little oil on the threads occasion-
ally to make the job easier, too.
Release the tension on the elevation mechanism after the hold-down nuts are
tightened. That way, there’s no pressure on the mechanism while you’re in opera-
tion. If you can move the elevation mechanism with your fingers, the tension is
released.
Raising the Cab
Before raising the cab, eyeball the cab hinge studs and nuts for cracks. If you
find any, let your mechanic know. Don’t raise the cab until cracked studs and nuts
have been replaced. You don’t want to be under the cab if the hinges fail!
Also,
remove all equipment
stowed on top of the cab before
raising it. The elevating jack
assembly can’t take the extra strain
and falling equipment could kill or
injure you or others.
Slow and easy is the way to raise
the cab. The faster you go, the more
the cab rocks back and forth. That
puts a lot of strain on the hinges.
Once the cab is up, check the
hinge studs and nuts on the inside,
too. Again, your mechanic should
replace any damaged ones.
Winnah
and
still
champeen
…
PM!
Cracks under turret
can be repaired
Air cleaner
indicator
in red?
Check door
seals for
damage
Check
external
hinge
nuts…
…and
internal
nuts for
cracks
Keep items
away from
pedals
MAY 02
594. 14-17 (C)
4/1/02
11:21 AM
Page 3
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