• Steel Soldiers now has a few new forums, read more about it at: New Munitions Forums!

  • Microsoft MSN, Live, Hotmail, Outlook email users may not be receiving emails. We are working to resolve this issue. Please add support@steelsoldiers.com to your trusted contacts.

Are FMTV Drive shafts known to have issues ?

Reworked LMTV

Expedition Campers Limited, LLC
Supporting Vendor
1,506
1,174
113
Location
TN
I read on another website that FMTV driveshafts are known to grenade.
Is this true?
 

BKubu

Well-known member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
4,763
1,164
113
Location
Gaithersburg, MD
There was a flaw with the originally designed drive shafts. So, Stewart and Stevenson, the original manufacturer, sent service techs out to the field to replace the drive shafts with a better designed unit. The data plates of all vehicles that were so upgraded should be stamped with a D.
 

Reworked LMTV

Expedition Campers Limited, LLC
Supporting Vendor
1,506
1,174
113
Location
TN
There was a flaw with the originally designed drive shafts. So, Stewart and Stevenson, the original manufacturer, sent service techs out to the field to replace the drive shafts with a better designed unit. The data plates of all vehicles that were so upgraded should be stamped with a D.
Thanks Bruce! Is that the data plate on the passenger door? Sorry this is all new to me : )
 

BKubu

Well-known member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
4,763
1,164
113
Location
Gaithersburg, MD
The data plate is on the dashboard. If you are sitting in the driver's seat, it is located in front of your left knee...angling down toward the floor. It is easiest to inspect when you are on the ground looking up into the cab. Check out our favorite auction site for pictures. Just scroll through a few of the LMTVs and you will see everyone has a D stamped on the data plate near the VIN number.
 
321
14
18
Location
Montana
The data plate is on the dashboard. If you are sitting in the driver's seat, it is located in front of your left knee...angling down toward the floor. It is easiest to inspect when you are on the ground looking up into the cab. Check out our favorite auction site for pictures. Just scroll through a few of the LMTVs and you will see everyone has a D stamped on the data plate near the VIN number.

Thanks Bruce :)

Seth
 

coachgeo

Well-known member
5,147
3,462
113
Location
North of Cincy OH
There is a few threads on this topic already. It is pretty well hashed out in those threads where/when the driveline weakness rears its head and when it does not and how to keep that head down with stringent maintenance following TM's no matter how far you are from home (expedition vehicles) and/or via modifications. Last count with the growing number of FMTV's in public's hands is about 7 or so who have thrown a driveshaft. (that number comes from a respected vendor in here).

A search for; then a review of those threads, should arm you with enough information to make choices according to your situation. (situations differ be it Trucks that are Parade Queens, Farm trucks, Expedition vehicles, commercially heavy use and so on)

PS. It's a 99.9999% chance any FMTV you buy will have had the upgrade mentioned. The problem continued but much much less often. Again review the threads.
 
Last edited:

Suprman

Well-known member
Supporting Vendor
6,861
696
113
Location
Stratford/Connecticut
Gotta check the driveline for play. .0015th inch of play is too much. There is a hinging test in the tm. The quick test is lay under each driveshaft (with all air drained) grab driveshaft and shake it. It should be solid with no felt play.
 

coachgeo

Well-known member
5,147
3,462
113
Location
North of Cincy OH
Suprman, what TM ? Their killing me to find this stuff. Wish I had paper.
  • 10......... is Operations
  • xP........... is Parts AND Special Tools
  • 34........ is Maintenance / laymen's terms- General Service and upkeep
  • 20........ is Service/Technical -Repair manuals / for us tractor guys..... Factory Service Manuals

Thus at a starting point it will be in the XXX 34's. Rushing off to work so can't provide any more. Think the specific page image of this is in here somewhere, though.

Edited! Sorry my bad. Rushed out the door and did not realize till got home 8ish hours later that the spacing was all screwed up.
 
Last edited:
Top