M929 "Dump Body Safety Latch": Does it bang upon opening?

[Landbarger]

I've been looking in TM 9-2320-272-10 to try to figure this out, but I haven't found the answer I'm looking for. The mechanism I'm talking about is item "F" on pages 94-95 of the TM.

When I operate my dump body, I have the following issue: the dump will start to lift, hesitate, bang hard (which I think is when the safety latch releases), and then raise normally. Upon closing it operates normally and the safety latch appears to close back onto the flange underneath the bed. The thump is hard enough to be easily felt in the cab of the truck, which doesn't seem like it should be the case given that the latch is operated by a hydraulic cylinder. Inspecting the safety latch, I can't see any physical obstruction in the way of the latch operation, there is no rust on the mechanism, and there doesn't appear to be any damage to the latch mechanism or the catch under the dump body. The picture below shows what I'm talking about. The white arrow is pointing to the latch and the yellow arrow is pointing towards the catch on the underside of the bed.



The TM only tells you that it's "NMC" (p.2-49) if the latch isn't working at all. Mine seems to be working, it just doesn't seem to be working well. Can any M929 owners tell me if these dumps always bang when the safety latch releases? I've asked a friend with an M817, but they don't seem to have a safety latch on them at all.

Thanks.

 

[73m819]

What is happening is the latch is not releasing all the way, so the bed maves a bit till the latch stops it, then moves again with the bang when the lift cylinders build enough pressure to power though the the partial released latch, the bed comes down and latches without the bang because the latching tab is chamfered on the bottom so it slides into retaining bracket. What you need to do is find out WHY the safety latch IN NOT RELEASING.

 

[Tow4]

The latch should release smoothly as the bed goes up. Mine does not make any noise going up or down.

 

[Landbarger]

Can someone tell me if there's any mechanical adjustment to either the latch or the bracket it grabs onto? Or should I be looking for loose attachment of the latch or hydraulic cylinder instead?

Thanks.

 

[M35A2-AZ]

When your lifting the bed can you see that the latch is pulled back? The latch should be pulled back anytime your lifting the bed.
If it is not I would say the Hyd. cylinder my not be working.
For safety be sure to put the bed stops up to hold the bed if you start to work on the Hyd. cylinder.
I saw a guy that was killed by a bed that came down on him.

 

[73m819]

Another thought, Just REMOVE THE LATCH, It is not really needed, just something the "military" liked.

 

[Landbarger]

Another thought, Just REMOVE THE LATCH, It is not really needed, just something the "military" liked.

This is a good point.