How to Change Giant Track Pads on the Massive US M1 Abrams

YouTube / The Daily Aviation

Hours of Manual Labor

M1 Abrams tanks are one of the heaviest tanks currently in service today. 

According to past tank crew members, one of the first things you’d do when you get to the motor pool is to inspect the tank’s tracks. 

An M1 Abrams’ rubber road pads on its tracks are susceptible to damage, so these are changed relatively frequently. Torquing the pads down takes the most time, with the whole process taking around two hours or more – depending on the crew’s routine.

To change the pads, crews use a 10lb sledgehammer and a wedge to take it out and breaker bars to loosen the sockets.

From the start of the video until the 2-minute mark, we get to see how an M1 Abrams crew changes the rubber pads of their hefty tank. It’s quite a sight to see!