Those in the drive-it-out club - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

BKubu · 03-27-2008, 10:03

Many of us have driven our trucks right out of the GL yards. Most of us service the trucks before doing so and visually inspect them to ensure their safe operation. However, what happened yesterday has led me to think driving the trucks out of the yard, before conducting a serious safety inspection, is a very bad idea. I bought an M35A2 some months ago. It was driven out after it was serviced and a safety inspection was conducted. I had the appropriate transit tag and insurance on the vehicle. Anyway, I've owned this truck for several months and have put quite a few miles on it. A friend borrowed it two days ago to tow bar another deuce home from Letterkenny. The truck made the trip without much trouble, but he did comment that the brake pedal felt funny at times...at least he thought so but was unsure. After getting the truck back, I crawled underneath to check everything over. I noticed some "wetness" on the inside of both of the right rear tires. A little further inspection revealed that the brake line was rusting away and a pin hole had appeared. I told him to push the brake pedal and the silicon brake fluid squirted out of the pin hole. I don't always consider replacing brake lines unless they need it. I know for a fact that I'll be looking over every brake line on every truck I own to ensure they are in serviceable order. Had he lost all of the brake fluid, he would have been a 26,000 pound (two 13,000 pound M35A2s together) bomb rolling down the highway. The moral of this story is that we really need to be careful when driving these trucks, but particularly before we really know the truck and have gone over it. I fear that too many of us simply buy these trucks, change the oil and fuel filters (maybe not even that) and then drive them like they are new trucks. Many of us have no big truck driving experience. For most, the deuce is the largest truck they have ever driven. I know these two things were true of me when I first got into the hobby nine years ago. Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know about an experience that I just had in the hopes that it may save someone some trouble.

oifvet · 03-27-2008, 10:32

100% concur!!! I am guilty of taking such risk!

All went well over the original 800 mile trip home. My brake line split much later. Months later! But, it did so in a VERY unusual fashion! The flaring on one line completely cracked off like a halo inside of a brass "T" located just inside the frame, in the area of the spare tire. It fatigued, and broke off. It would have been impossible to see before hand. I just thought the fitting was loose. Brake fluid was coming out fast! I had two, "pedal-to-the-floor" pumps to get it stopped in a lot, and that's where I sat. (Until gimpyrobb drove all the way up from Cincy to help me out!)

Needless to say, the above information is, on-the-mark!

Recovry4x4 · 03-27-2008, 10:42

I've had the misfortune of losing a steel brake line on the M275A2 while towing Devilman96s deuce to his shop. Once I got everthing stopped and the canvas seat cover out of me backside, I found a rusty line. Long since been replaced and every steel line of the wrecker has been replaced. I keep lots of steel line here at the house now. Great point to bring up Bruce!

ygmir · 03-27-2008, 10:55

and,
a good reason to make sure the hand brake is working well..........
it would at least help in an emergency.......

FMJ · 03-27-2008, 10:56

Lets see, 8 trucks, 24 axles......I'll see you guys when I get done inspecting brake lines......
Thanks Bruce.

bulldog_mack13 · 03-27-2008, 10:59

Only drivin one truck out of the GL yard (M81

and after checking it and making sure she was ready I drove it home, wasnt far but I didnt have a problem, Jay

Green_gator · 03-27-2008, 11:09

I am spending a few extra dollars on my truck that I plan to drive home. I am having it inspected and serviced by a commercial fleet management company before I drive her home from Indianapolis. I will still take a look at everything myself but I want a trained professional to look as well. I have a long trip to Florida and a few extra bucks for peace of mind is a small investment. I will make sure that they inspect the break lines and probably will look at replacing them all once I get it home. I am looking forward to a long and boring ride home.

2deuce · 03-27-2008, 11:35

Am I correct to expect that they won't rust from the inside with the silicone BF, but rust from the outside, so a good visual inspection that shows no rust is whats needed?

Thanks,
Greg

Recovry4x4 · 03-27-2008, 12:16

Greg, your synopsis is mostly correct. If a truck were to sit for a long time with a water bubble in a low spot, I suppose it cound rust there but I'd be inclined to say doubtful. Walter, I've done many long trips with the deuce and I'd hardly call it boring. I rather enjoy long distance deuce rides but perhaps I'm odd!

emmado22 · 03-27-2008, 12:24

Quote:

a good reason to make sure the hand brake is working well..........
it would at least help in an emergency.......

If you think thats going to do anything, you may be mistaken.

I's be down shifting like a mad man before I worried about that stupid brake thats probably covered in grease. If your service brakes are in bad shape, you think the parking brake is any better??????????????????