PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-633

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 633

AUGUST 2005
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-633 - Page 6 of 33
T
he breechblock on your Paladin is no lightweight, crewmen. That’s why it’s
important to have good closing springs to help you swing it shut. Once those
springs wear out, you’ve got a much tougher job closing the breechblock.
A lot of crewmen keep the
springs under full tension.
That lets the breechblock
close firmly, but the constant
pressure wears on the springs
and leads to early failure. It
can also close with enough
force to damage the breech-
block detent plunger and stop
surface.
Your best bet is to apply
only enough pre-load tension
to the springs to securely close
the breechblock at the loading
elevation (less than 300 mils).
Most times, that means adjust-
ing the springs to half-tension.
Just push in the plunger and rotate the spring adjuster clockwise to release the
tension. If the breechblock won’t close at loading elevation, return the springs to
full tension.
PS 633
AUG 05
9
M109A6 Paladin…
PS 633
AUG 05
8
M113A3 FOV…
When it comes to installing the pro-
peller shaft and universal joints on
M113A3 family vehicles, using just
any old bolt can cause a lot of trouble.
For instance, some mechanics have
been using bolt, NSN 5305-01-216-
7378. That’s the bolt that’s supposed to
attach the output flange to the trans-
mission. Problem is, it’s about an inch
too long for securing the prop shafts
and U-joints, so it damages the output
housing on the transmission.
The one and only bolt to use is NSN
5305-00-719-5239. It’s just the right length
for securing the prop shaft and U-joints
without damaging the output housing.
Full tension
is too tight…
…so turn
spring
adjuster to
half-tension
you’re not going to
go off and leave my
breech springs this
tight, are you?!
Hey!!
Mechanics, one
bolt’s just as
good as another,
right?
hey! I got
the
new
bolts
for
your prop
shafts and
u-joints!
Wrong
answer!
uh… I
guess so.
wait-
aminit!
are those
the
right
size?
Prop
shafts
and
U-joints
need
correct
length
bolts
be bolt aWare!
633.08-09(C).qxd
6/25/05
12:35 PM
Page 1
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