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t <br /> " EDITORIA <br /> y <br /> .11M WINSOR <br /> EXECUTIVE EDITOR <br /> ' <br /> soli ~PMs <br /> Doo t <br /> Cost the <br /> Saue <br /> y <br /> his month I'm passing calls." That's when Darry started to an air wrench is NOT the way to <br /> along more sage mainte- add battery load-testing to his: PM . do it, either. A scheduled <br /> nance advice from Darry . sheets.. "If batteries are weak; a load retorquing of wheels with an accu- <br /> Stuart of DWSTransportation and test will show it up. It's a lot cheaper rate torque wrench insures astrong <br /> Fleet Management Resources. to replace a battery in the shop than defense in liability situations, he i <br /> Stuart has more than 35 yeazs in on the road." says. <br /> fleet maintenance and is one of the • Pressure test the cooling system. "A special word of advice: If you <br /> best inthe business. That's another Stuart "must." I've have tires changed by road service <br /> Take the time to do quality PMs,. heard mechanics say if it's not leak- vendors; be sure to retorque wheels <br /> says Stuart. Good preventive main- ing, why add pressure? That might the next tune you see that truck. It's <br /> tenance service should be a lot make it leak. Darry shakes his head .the onlyway you'll know if the <br /> more. than a quickie oil/filter change and explains that if a radiator, hose; replaced tireJwheel nuts were cor- <br /> and Tube job. This may have a clamp or - <br /> place as an "A" service, but fora water CUTTING CORNERS O N P M S <br /> real PM ("B" or "C"service), pump is <br /> ample time and quality work prac- going to MQY BITE YOU DOWN THE ROAD. <br /> tices pay off in the long run. let go, <br /> Mechanics need a work plan and have it happen in the shop and not redly torqued. I have heard too <br /> sufficient time to methodically go be the cause of an expensive road many horror stories about losing <br /> over, under and around the vehicle call. "Today's cooling systems wheels. It's a serious issue." <br /> and really inspect it following pre- operate under higher pressures than • Do PM audits. "The best way <br /> vise instructions. Stuart feels "B" ever before. We can't afford to just to find out if your PM program is <br /> and "C" PM services should be walk around vehicles looking for ~ really being followed is to bring in a <br /> done byseasoned Glass A mechan- coolant puddles on the pavement to vehicle which has justbeen PM'd - ~ <br /> ics working from detailed work- alert us to problems," he says.. ` and spot-check items on the work I! <br /> sheets. that clearly define what's to • Retorquespring i7-bolts. These, sheet. It's hest to do this with the ~ <br /> be cjone, not just "checked." are; perhaps, Stuart's favorites: mechauic.who did the PM and with <br /> "The objective should be to "Constant twisting, fuming, bump- the shop supervisor or foreman, for <br /> inspect and f <br /> or correct deficiencies ing curbs and grinding through dirt obvious reasons. It's also. a great <br /> that, if overlooked, could be cause or landfill <br /> s loosens thin u <br /> . Loose trainin techni <br /> ~ P ue. <br /> g q <br /> for that vehicle to be returned to the U-bolts lead to broken spring leaves. "And if yqu contract out your <br /> shop: (or worse yet, a road call) I guarantee it."Some mechanics maintenance work,, still do the <br /> before the next scheduled service," fight itor fake it because retorquing same thing. It's the surest way to <br /> he says. "Ideally, a vehicle should U-bolts to the prescribed settings fmd out really what's going on and <br /> .make it from one PM service to the can be hard and dirty work I've if you're getting what you paid• for. I <br /> next without a road call or driver seen Dazry crawl under a dump My people, ]coined .eazly on that I I <br /> write-up that brings the unit back truck with a broken spring leaf and would not tolerate `paper mainte- i' <br /> to the shop." check bolt torque: Invariably they nance"' =check marks on the <br /> Here are several of D <br /> arry's were loose, proving his point. PM sheet without actually doing. ! <br /> favorite examples of PM service Replacing a spring pack is really 'the work. <br /> items many fleets pass over: hazd work and tune-consuming. So much for Darry Stuart's main- <br /> • Load-test batteries at each "B" And it's costly. tenance philosophy and "Hiles." If I <br /> service. "When I was in the leasing • Retorque wheel lug nuts. you care to reach him, his email is: <br /> <br /> business, I dreaded cold Monday Keeping wheel nuts tight is a crib- DarryWST@aol.com. <br /> <br /> mornings because of all the no-start cal safety maner. Any sign of rust is <br /> a giveaway that nuts are loose, he ~ Al <br /> says. "Hammering" nuts on with P <br /> I <br /> <br />