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NEWS | April 21, 2022

Stryker: Field-Level Welding Repair Program

2nd Cavalry Regiment Battle Group Poland, Stryker armored vehicles sit in the motor pool in Orzysz, Poland
Photo by Charles Rosemond
 
There’s a new field-level welding repair program for Strykers called the Unit Welding Immersion Program (UWIP) that’s intended to help shorten the current turnaround time for welding-related faults. 
        
TM 9-2355-460-23&P (May 21) has been released to support non-structural field-level welding repair procedures, repair parts and special tools lists for the Stryker FOV.  The welding program includes an introduction to gas metal arc welding-pulse (GMAW-P), which is the preferred method for welding on armor.  
        
Here are some things you should know when it comes to Strykers and welding:
 
Causes for Cracks/Welding Issues

The most common causes for cracks to appear on a Stryker vehicle or welds to become problematic are:
  • Rollover accidents
  • Vibrations
  • Fire damage
  • Collisions
  • Improver vehicle ride height                            
  • Incorrectly-installed components
Proper Preconditions for Welding
        
For Stryker repairs, store the vehicle for at least 24 hours in a facility or enclosure that provides an ambient temperature of no less than 60°F prior to welding.

Note: An ambient temperature of at least 60°F prevents warping. It also prevents moisture which can be an electrical hazard.
        
Preheating reduces the cooling rate of the weld and drives out moisture, which in turn helps prevent hydrogen buildup and the potential for cracking. It reduces shrinkage stresses in the weld and heat-affected zone. It slows down the cooling rate to prevent excessive hardening and keeps the steel from becoming brittle.
        
The pre-heat temperature, when required, will be provided in the applicable work package in the TM.

Interpass welding temperatures will not exceed the requirement outlined in the applicable work package.
 
NMC Criteria for Stryker Armor
        
The following can make Stryker vehicles NMC:
  • Any damage to armor module that prevents proper mounting on the vehicle hull.
  • Any single cut, scrape or gouge protruding into the exterior panel exceeding 3.5x3.5” in area, or a combined total of 12x12” in area for the entire armor panel.
  • Any exposed material resulting from paint removal and internal surface exposure, damaged or undamaged.  
  • Presence of putty adhesives (due to damage repair for MILES or shipping labels) or fillers.
Ways to Identify Cracks
        
Here are ways to identify cracks in Stryker vehicles:
  • Hull fluid leakage
  • Fluorescent liquid dye penetrant testing procedure
  • Magnetic particle inspection (MPI)
Welding Tasks Covered Under UWIP
         
UWIP supports a few field-level welding tasks, each of which can be caused by various forms of damage. Knowing why and how the damage occurs in the first place can potentially prevent or delay performing these tasks: (to view larger versions of the images below, right click on them and select "open image in new tab.")
 
WP 0010, steering stop procedure
Damage caused by:
  • Aging fleet     
  • Improper alignment with linkage
 Steering stop procedure
Steering stop procedure
 
WP 0011, aluminum footman loop repair
Damage caused by:
  • Exceeding weight capacity when attaching equipment and crew gear
 
WP 0012, engine hatch hinge (vehicle side) repair
Damage caused by:
  • Aging fleet
  • Delay in repair
  • Not properly using the open and closing locking mechanism
Engine hatch hinge (vehicle side) repair
Engine hatch hinge (vehicle side) repair
 
WP 0013, engine hatch hinge (hatch side) / Lock plate inspection
Damage caused by:
  • Aging fleet
  • Delaying repairs
  • Not using the open and closing locking mechanism  
 
WP 0014, front hatch hinge replacement
Damage caused by:
  • Aging fleet
  • Failure to follow operating procedures
  • Not lubricating hinge
Front hatch hinge replacement
Front hatch hinge replacement
 
WP 0015, side hatch hinge replacement
Damage caused by:
  • Aging fleet
  • Failure to follow operating procedures
  • Standing on hinge
Side hatch hinge replacement
Side hatch hinge replacement
 
WP 0016, power engine hatch hinge/locking tab replacement 
Damage caused by:
  • Aging fleet
  • Failure to follow operating procedures
Power engine hatch hinge/locking tab replacement
Power engine hatch hinge/locking tab replacement
 
WP 0018, ramp channel repair
Damage caused by:
  • Failure to follow operating procedures
  • Leaving the tow pintle in when lowering the ramp
Ramp channel repair
Ramp channel repair
 
WP 0019, ramp door repair
Damage caused by:
  • Delaying repairs
  • Failure to follow operating procedures
  • Lowering the ramp with the rear access door open
Ramp door repair
Ramp door repair
      
        
WP 0020, fuel filler cover hinge replacement
Damage caused by:
  • Aging fleet
  • Improper use
  • Leaving the cover open during operation
Fuel filler cover hinge replacement
Fuel filler cover hinge replacement
          
Note: If you have to enter a welding fault on your Stryker into GCSS-Army (GCSS-A), make sure to use failure code 722, “weld cracked, broken or defective,” in accordance with Table B2 in DA PAM 750-8, Army Maintenance Management System Users Manual, (Aug 05).
        
These codes help maintainers quickly identify which Strykers currently have welding notices open in GCSS-A. They’ll also help with compiling completed work orders and failure data for readiness driver indicators.
        
Also note that the following updates are under review for inclusion in the TM:
  • Adding TIG welding procedures for select nonstructural brackets
  • Stryker ESV/VV/A1 nonstructural implement repairs
  • Rear ramp grab handle repair
  • Two methods of bolt extraction
  • Drivers hatch brackets repair
  • Air transport hatch combat lock rod mount bracket repair

Contact UWIP by email at: usarmy.detroit.devcom-gvsc.mbx.weld-support@army.mil or (586) 282-5210.
           
Download TM-9-2355-460-23&P HERE.
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