of dirt and grease forms an abrasive that will wear parts in a hurry. Never use so much grease on these joints that the grease will be forced out of the boot. The extra grease will be lost and the added weight of the grease will tend to throw the propeller shaft out of balance.

When you are to give a vehicle a thorough inspec- tion, inspect the power trains for loose gear housings and joints. Look for bent propeller shafts that are responsible for vibrations, and examine the gear housings and joints for missing screws and bolts. Check to see that the U-bolts fastening the springs to the rear axle housing are tight. A loose spring hanger can throw the rear axle assembly out of line and place additional strain on the propeller shaft and final drive. When making these inspections, always tighten the lugs that fasten wheels to live axles.

After tightening gear housings, loose connections, and joints, and finding that no repairs are required, road test the vehicle to see if the various units in the power train are working properly. Shift the gears into all operating speeds and listen for noisy or grinding gears.

REFERENCES

Army Institute for Professional Development, Sub- course OD 1005, U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School, Wheeled Vehicle Clutches, Transmissions, and Transfers, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Md., 1986.

Construction Mechanic 1, Naval Education and Training Program Management Support Activity, Pensacola, Fla., 1989.

U.S. Army, TM 9-2320-211-35, Direct Support, General Support and Depot Maintenance for Truck 5 Ton. M51 Series, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C., 1964.

U.S. Army, TM 9-8000, Principles of Automotive Vehicles, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C., 1985.