Truck Maintenance: Important Considerations for Wheel Alignment
Proper and regular maintenance of your truck will ensure better performance and promote safety for both you, the driver, and your goods. In addition, it will minimise the long-term operational costs because there will be fewer unexpected breakdowns and better fuel economy. One of the essential maintenance practises for your truck is truck wheel alignment. As implied, this standard process involves adjusting the angles of the installed wheels to ensure that their position matches the manufacturer's recommendations. Typically, the objective of the process is to promote even tyre wear and to prevent the vehicle from dragging or pulling to one side when driving. Here are the most important factors of wheel alignment that every truck owner should understand.
Adjustment Parameters
There are different types of misalignments that affect the wheels in trucks. The adjustment required will depend on the angle of the different wheels in relation to the vehicle body and even the other wheels. In general, there are three primary adjustment parameters: toe, camber and castor. The toe alignment angle is common for trucks. The misalignment is characterised by the front tyres facing inwards or even outward when viewed from the top of the vehicle.
The camber misalignment occurs when the weight of the vehicle is more prominent inside or outside the pertinent wheel. In simple terms, it is the measure of the wheels tilt, either inward or outward.
Caster is the misalignment that causes the vehicle to pull to one side. This occurs when the steering pivot in the front wheel is not at the centre. This forces the truck to compensate the imbalance by pulling towards one side.
Condition of the Tyres
You should always check the condition of the tyres before commissioning a wheel alignment. Generally, it is essential for the tyres to be capable of performing well even when they have significant tread wear. For example, if your truck has had camber misalignment for long without resolution, one side of the tyre will be more worn than the other. If this is refitted into the vehicle and aligned, the tyre will not have full contact with the road. Therefore, you should know when to replace tyres and be diligent in your wheel alignment practises.
Other Causes of Pulling Problems
If you have noticed your vehicle pulling to one side, you should have the alignment of the wheels assessed. However, this is not the only cause of the problem in trucks. The other possible reasons include poor tyre pressure or malfunctioning brakes or power steering. Therefore, engage an auto technician for proper troubleshooting.
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