PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-721
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 721
DECEMBER 2012
41
PS 721
DEC 12
With the outriggers up and
the trailer supported by its
suspension, inspect both ends of
each torque rod for separation of
the rubber from the metal sleeve
in the ball/bushing assembly
and between the bushing sleeve
and torque rod. If you spot any
separation, that trailer is NMC
until the defective torque rod
is replaced.
Pry on the torque
rod’s outer section
with a crowbar while
someone else watches
the rubber bushing
for movement. A Fex
of the rubber bushing
from
1
/
2
to
3
/
4
inch is
normal. More than
that means the bushing
is failing.
Place the crowbar between
the mounting bracket and
torque rod and have someone
check the torque rod rubber
mounting for movement. If
the torque rod returns to its
original position when the bar
is removed and there aren’t any
visible abnormalities (rubber
separation, cracks or rust
between the bushing and the
housing), the torque rod is OK.
O
ne unfortunate Patriot unit had an M860A1 trailer torque rod, NSN 2530-00-797-
9189, come apart. That caused the leaf spring in the suspension to come loose and
the trailer’s body to fall on the axle. That is extremely dangerous both to Soldiers and
to Patriot components.
Do these torque rod checks to make sure your trailers are safe.
Next, park the trailer on level ground, preferably on a hard surface, and put the
outriggers down. Raise the trailer until its wheels are no more than
1
/
8
inch off
the ground.
Look for separation between each rod’s rubber and rod housing. Rust between the
bushing bonding and the arm assembly is usually an indication that the bushing is
going to fail.
±inally, eyeball the alignment of the torque rods. If you suspect any misalignment,
replace the torque rod.
The procedure for replacing torque rods is in Para 4-52 of TM 9-2330-357-14&P
(May 93).
If you ²nd defective torque rods, submit a PQDR for each rod to:
Keep the torque rods for at least 60 days or until released by TACOM.
Atrailer with a defective torque rod can’t be towed, but it can be used as a launcher
or radar base.
Questions? Contact TACOM’s Jim Howard at DSN 786-9428, (586) 282-9428,
or email:
james.c.howard74.civ@mail.mil
±or more information, see TACOM Safety of Use Message 12-008:
Between bushing
and retaining race
Between retaining
race and torque arm
Patriot Missile System…
CritiCal
Trailer Torque Rod CheCks
have you
checked
the torque
rods on this
patriot radar
trailer yet?
it’s
critical
you do so!
thank you
half-mast.
you got
it, sarge!
not
yet!
Crowbar
Rubber bushing
Crowbar
721 40-41.indd
1-2
10/26/12
3:41 PM
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