PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-618
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 618
MAY 2004
Wheel Inspection
Turn in roadwheels, idler wheels and support rollers that have elongated mount-
ing holes or are bent or out of round.
Here’s what else to look for on your tank, recovery vehicle and M113 FOV:
PS 618
5
M113-series FOV:
Off-center pins on M113-series vehicles indicate bushing wear and should be
closely watched. If the pin touches the inside surface of the bushing bore, the shoe’s
no good. Replace it.
Also, watch for pins that stick out more on one side of the shoe than the other.
One of the locking nuts could be loose or missing. The locking nuts are a one-time-
use item, so make sure your mechanic uses a new one if they are loose or damaged.
•
Tread separation:
Roadwheels, idler wheels, and support rollers that meet the
following guidelines should be replaced and turned in for repair:
M1-series tanks/M88-series recovery vehicle:
Replace roadwheels and idler wheels with tread separation (each side) that is
one inch or wider up to the entire circumference of the wheel.
Replace M88-series vehicle support rollers with tread separation that is 1/2 inch
or wider (each side) up to the entire circumference of the roller.
M113-series FOV:
Separation of the tread that is 3/4 inch or wider (each side) up to the entire cir-
cumference of the roadwheel.
Shocks and Hubs
Good shock absorbers generate heat during operation. If any of your shocks are
cool or only slightly warm to the touch, report ‘em. They aren’t doing the job and
can cause excessive track wear.
For M1-series tanks, you should
also check the shock absorber sight
gauges. The indicator ball should
be between the middle and top of
the sight gauge. If not, or if the oil
looks milky from water contamina-
tion, report it.
Roadwheel, idler wheel, and
support roller hubs should
not
run
hot. If they generate excessive heat,
it’s a good sign that the bearings
are failing. Tell your mechanic.
For M1-series tanks, you should
also check the roadwheel’s oil level
at the hub caps. The level should be
to the bottom of the hole for the
plug. If it’s not, or if the oil looks
milky from water contamination,
report it.
Be careful when checking for
hot shocks or hubs. Either one can
generate enough heat to burn you.
•
Weather cracking:
If weather cracks extend com-
pletely across the tread surface
or are deeper than 1/4 inch, the
wheel should be replaced and
turned in for repair.
•
Chunking:
You should replace and send in for
repair
any
wheels that have:
+ Chunking that exceeds 50% of the total tread
surface.
+ Any chunking that extends more than 1/2 the
width of the wheel.
+ Chunking of
10% or more
of the total
tread surface
that reaches the
bonding sur-
face of the rim.
Replace
wheels that
have weather
cracking
across tread
surface
Large
chunks of
rubber
missing?
Replace
wheel
Use care when checking hub temperature
Check indicator ball
on shock absorber
sight gauge
Oil level should reach bottom of plug
Keep close watch on off-center pin nuts…
…but replace shoe if pin nut touches bore
618. 04-05 (C)
3/29/04
3:00 PM
Page 1
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