The suspension system in each of your heavy-duty trucks plays a critical role in absorbing shock and providing a smooth ride, whether going straight or making a turn. These systems also need to carry the truck's weight and can start to show signs of wear over time. Regular maintenance for a heavy-duty truck’s suspension system can significantly improve the truck’s overall lifespan, so be sure to keep in mind the best practices we share in this post.
Before we dive into how you can ensure the longevity of your heavy-duty truck’s suspension system, let’s first consider the benefits of a maintenance plan. Trucks are much heavier than cars, and the suspension system needs to support this commercial vehicle's weight. While the suspension system needs to absorb shock, it also contributes to the vehicle's overall handling. Not to mention, when the brake is pressed, the suspension system also helps the truck slow down or come to a standstill by generating friction between the road and its tires.
Many benefits come with a maintained suspension system. The system is less likely to cause trouble when turning in a different direction with the truck. The braking system also works more effectively, ultimately catering to the safety of the driver and the heavy-duty truck. This particular strategy will also help to reduce the rate at which tires wear out.
Now that you know what benefits lie in adequately maintaining your suspension system, the next step is to consider the best practices that can help you look after this part of the truck. We’ll share the most important factors to consider to ensure you maintain the suspension system and make it last longer.
One of the first steps that you should take is to ensure the suspension’s alignment is on par at all times. When there are problems with the alignment in your suspension system, it can cause problems when your drivers are on the road. You will need to consult a diesel specialist for this alignment, as it is not the same process as smaller commercial vehicles.
During this process, a special electronic system connects to sensors. These sensors check different alignments in the truck’s suspension to ensure everything is aligned correctly. The specific angles considered during this process include the caster, toe, and thrust angles.
When the suspension is aligned correctly, you do not have to worry about uneven wear on the tire tread. This could cause the need to replace the tires on the truck prematurely - leading to extra expenses on your side.
Furthermore, proper suspension alignment has also been shown to improve overall fuel efficiency. Your drivers also have to work much harder when there are misalignments in the suspension, which can easily lead to problems like excessive fatigue - ultimately affecting the driver’s safety and productivity.
It’s also important to inspect and maintain your steering system regularly. When you take your heavy-duty truck to a diesel specialist, they will perform several inspections on the steering system.
They will start by turning your steering wheel to determine how well the steering system works in the suspension. They will turn the steering wheel until the tires begin to turn. This is done in both directions. Measurements are taken to ensure the pivot occurs at the same speed and angle in each of the directions the truck can turn. At this point, the inspector will also assess the allowable lash and compare this to the steering wheel’s diameter.
Next up is a thorough inspection of the entire suspension system. While it is crucial to assess the alignment of the suspension, other factors also need to be inspected. This can help to identify any configuration errors, ensure there are no missing parts, and check for existing damage.
It’s often possible to detect issues with a heavy-duty truck’s suspension early on, which is why you should educate your drivers on common signs that they should look out for.
Here are some of the most important signs that your drivers need to look out for and report to their fleet manager as soon as possible:
In addition to these, your drivers should also regularly take a visual inspection of the suspension system. This means they should walk around the truck and make sure everything is still at an even level. Sometimes, one side of the truck may seem like it is lower than the other side. This could be a sign that the suspension is not able to provide proper support for the weight of the truck and could lead to serious problems in the long run if you do not address it.
Maintaining the suspension in your heavy-duty truck can pay off in the long term, but the first step is to find a reliable repair shop in Clearwater, Florida. Blackwater Diesel has years of experience working with a diverse range of heavy-duty trucks. We can assist in diagnosing suspension system troubles and provide maintenance to prolong its lifespan. Get in touch to schedule a repair or to learn more about Blackwater Diesel.
http://blog.automotive-technology.com/the-importance-of-the-suspension-system/
https://www.truckinginfo.com/332816/stay-ahead-of-suspension-steering-defects
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