PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-615
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 615
FEBRUARY 2004
M2/M3-Series Bradleys…
S
o, mechanic, why is that string
around your finger? Could it be a
reminder to pick up all your tools after
a repair job in a Bradley turret?
When those repairs are done, you
must collect any and all tools that were
used. Even the smallest screwdriver or
wrench can cause a lot of damage if
it’s left under the floor plates.
The next time the turret is traversed,
forgotten tools scratch up and gouge
the turret walls while ripping up cables
and connectors. You could even end up
with a punctured fuel tank.
So keep track of the tools you use.
If you bring a tool out to the vehicle,
make sure it goes back with you. Then
take one last look to make sure you’ve
left nothing behind.
Oh, and don’t forget to take that
string off your finger!
PS 615
FEB 04
6
M113-Series FOV…
M
echanics, removing a broken driveshaft from the blower housing in an M113-
series carrier’s 6V53 or 6V53T diesel engine can be frustrating.
If the driveshaft is stuck, so are you. Usually not even a magnetic retrieving tool
works.
You can make a tool that’ll get those broken driveshafts out quick and easy,
though. Here’s how to make and use it:
1.
Cut off the small end from a used 6-in
chem light. Pour out the contents.
2.
Push the open end of the chem light into
the blower housing until it comes in contact
with the broken end of the driveshaft.
3.
Wiggle the chem light and continue push-
ing inward. The chem light will fit tightly
around the driveshaft. Once it’s firmly in
place, just pull out the chem light and the
broken driveshaft will come with it.
Of course, before you install a new driveshaft, you have to make sure the blower
rotors will turn. Otherwise, the new driveshaft will snap, too.
Trouble is, even the smallest hands are too large to fit inside the blower housing.
Many mechanics just put in a new driveshaft and hope for the best.
Instead, use the broken end of the driveshaft you just removed to make a second
tool for testing the rotors.
Weld the broken drive-
shaft to a 12-in piece of 1/2-
in diameter steel rod. Weld a
second 6-in piece of rod to
the other end of the tool to
form a T-handle.
Insert the driveshaft end
of the tool into the blower
housing and try to turn the
T-handle. If the rotors turn,
everything’s a go for in-
stalling a new driveshaft.
now what
was it I was
s’posed to
remember?
Cut off small end of chem light
Weld
6-in steel rod
12-in steel rod
Broken
driveshaft
Weld
oh, no!
and I just
installed that
new blower
housing drive-
shaft!
Pick
It Up!
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