PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-698

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 698

JANUARY 2011
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-698 - Page 3 of 33
2
PS 698
JAN 11
3
PS 698
JAN 11
T
ankers, a couple of loose screws can really ruin your day, especially when it comes to
your tank’s ammo door.
The
hook
latch
and
housing
assembly mounts to the top left of
the ammo door with two screws.
Vibration loosens the screws and
that’s where the trouble starts.
If those screws break, you’re
stuck with an open door you can’t
close, or a closed door you can’t
open. Either way, you won’t be
doing any fring.
Make it a point to use a Fashlight and eyeball those screw heads every time you
check out the ammo doors and racks. I± they’ve backed out or i± they’re loose enough
to turn with your fngers, give your mechanic a heads up.
He’ll add a dab of locking compound, NSN 8030-01-025-1692, to the screws before
re-tightening them.
I
t’s best to keep your hands to yourself when entering that Bradley’s troop
compartment.
The 1W11 cable that’s attached to the sensor ±or the fre suppression system loops
down from the top of the ramp opening. It looks like such a natural handle that most
Soldiers just reach up and grab it as they duck through the opening.
Trouble
is,
once
the
cable’s
been
handled a few times, the internal wiring
weakens and the connection is broken.
When that happens, the fre sensor is
disabled. Or even worse, the extinguishers
could discharge!
Why risk it? Keep your hands in your
pockets, cross your arms, do whatever
you have to. Just keep your hands o±± the
1W11 cable.
Lubrication
Proper lubrication of the ammo door is pretty important, too. A lack of lube will
eventually result in a stuck door.
A semiannual coat o± solid flm lubricant (S²L), NSN 9150-01-260-2534, is the
way to go. Wipe away any dirt or grease that’ll keep the S²L ±rom sticking. Then,
give the ±ollowing areas a good coating:
•±
Ammunition doors.
Spray the door seals, sliding surfaces and rails.
•±
Ready ammunition door.
Spray the four seal retainer cams and
the two rail cams.
•±
Stowage ammunition door.
Spray the two door cams.
•±
Hook latch and housing assembly.
Spray all moving and touching parts.
•±
Latches.
Spray the sliding surfaces
of all latches.
•±
Ammunition tubes.
Spray the inside
surfaces and all rubber stops inside
the ammunition tubes. That allows
ammo to slide in and seat properly
so that it doesn’t hit the ammo doors
as they open and close.
M1-Series Tanks…
Give Ammo Doors a Break!
No Touching
Allowed!
1W11 cable is a no touching zone
Rubber stops and interior of ammo tubes
need lube, too
M2/M3-Series
Bradleys…
Hurry up and load
a round!
We’re
sitting
ducks
out here!
I’m
trying!
but the
ammo doors
are
stuck!
Loose screws
break off and
jam ammo
doors
698.02-03.indd
1-2
12/6/10
11:46 AM
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