TM 5-3895-346-14
CLEAN, INSPECT, AMD REPAIR
AXLE
PREPARE FOR REASSEMBLY
CLEAN, INSPECT, AND REPAIR
Parts having ground and polished surfaces such as gears, bearings, shafts, and collars should be cleaned in a
suitable solvent such as kerosene or diesel fuel oil.
NOTE
Gasoline should be avoided.
DO NOT clean these parts in a hot solution tank or with water and alkaline solutions such as sodium hydroxide,
orthosilicates, or phosphates.
We do not recommend steam cleaning assembled drive units after they have been removed from the housing.
When this method of cleaning is used, water is trapped in the cored passage of the castings and in the close
clearances between parts as well as on the parts. This can lead to corrosion (rust) of critical parts of the
assembly and the possibility of circulating rust particles in the lubricant. Premature failure of bearings, gears,
and other parts can be caused by this practice. Assembled drive units cannot be properly cleaned by steam
cleaning, dipping, or slushing. Complete drive unit dis- assembly is a necessary requisite to thorough cleaning.
Rough Parts
Rough parts such as differential carrier castings, cast brackets, and some brake parts may be cleaned in hot
solution tanks with mild alkali solutions, providing these parts are not ground or polished. The parts should
remain in the tank long enough to be thoroughly cleaned and heated through. This will aid the evaporation of
the rinse water. The parts should be thoroughly rinsed after cleaning to remove all traces of alkali.
WARNING
Exercise care to avoid skin rashes and inhalation of vapors when using alkali cleaners.
Complete Assemblies
Completely assembled axles may be steam cleaned on the outside only to facilitate initial removal and disas-
sembly, providing all openings are closed. Breathers, vented shift units, and all other openings should be tight-
ly covered or closed to prevent the possibility of water entering the assembly.
Drying
Parts should be thoroughly dried immediately after cleaning. Use soft, clean, lintless, absorbent paper towels
or wiping rags free of abrasive material, such as lapping compound, metal filings, or contaminated oil.
Bearings should never be dried by spinning with compressed air.
Corrosion Prevention
Parts that have been cleaned, dried, inspected and are to be immediately reassembled should be coated with
light oil to prevent corrosion. If these parts are to be stored for any length of time, they should be treated with a
good rust preventive and wrapped in special paper or other material de- signed to prevent corrosion.
INSPECT
It is impossible to overstress the importance of careful and thorough inspection of drive unit parts prior to
reassembly
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