5 Common Truck Problems

Your truck is critical to your business. Whether it is hauling cargo or carrying you around, you need it. The piece of equipment is expensive. If your truck breaks down, it can cost you money and your reputation.

In this post, we are going to look at five common truck problems and how to avoid them. We will give you the low-down on what the issues are and how you can get back on the road safely.

#1 BRAKE

Let’s start off with the first common truck problems – brake.

It’s important to know that there are several types of braking systems in use today. For example, a drum brake system or disc brake system. Both are used extensively for their braking capabilities. The drum brake system uses a caliper attached to the wheel, while the disc brake system attaches to the wheel hub.

Check out FEBI front brake pads.

Brake systems are not designed to last forever. They need to be maintained properly for them to perform effectively. As a matter of fact, there are a number of precautions that you should take to ensure that your brakes don’t fail faster than it should.

It’s a good idea to have the brakes checked out at least once a year, and more often if you are driving a truck that has a lot of weight on it or if you are driving an older truck. You can find a professional truck mechanic who can do this for you to make sure that your brakes are well maintained.

#2 TIRES

In order to help protect your tires, it is important to check and recheck the inflation of all four tires on your truck. It’s not that often you’ll have to worry about getting a flat because of a blowout. However, having the correct tire pressures will extend the life of your tires and, in most cases, prevent any flats.

Inflating your tires too much will make them harder, which makes them less capable of withstanding the stress of driving. Letting them get too low will create an unsafe condition by causing the tires to lose their grip on the road. It is better to have slightly under-inflated tires, which gives you a little “give” when you drive on rough roads or highway. In this way, you won’t get as many “pinch shocks” and you will be able to maintain better control of your vehicle.

Check your tire pressures once a month and make sure they are at the correct level. If not, you should let your tires air up a bit. It’s easy to do. Just take your truck to a tire shop and have the technicians there inflate your tires for you. If you drive a lot, get a heavy-duty set of all-terrain tires for your vehicle. This will improve the performance and life of your tires.

#3 ENGINE

In many cases, the first indication that your truck’s engine is having trouble is when you start to notice excessive “noise.” This noise may be rattling, knocking, grinding or anything else that sets off your “alarm bells.” However, there may be signs of trouble before you hear this “noise.” If you pay attention to your truck, you may see one or more of the following warning signs:

• Sudden loss of power
• Sudden increase in engine “backpressure” or “drag”
• Spongy or erratic power
• Poor acceleration
• Mild to moderate oil or coolant leaks
• Poor or inconsistent fuel economy
• Unexplained “check engine light” on the dashboard
• Deterioration of various engine parts
• Difficulty starting the engine

If you drive a lot and you have a lot of miles on your truck, it is a good idea to schedule an oil change and filter replacement every 3,000 to 6,000 miles. This will extend the life of your engine. You should also check the condition of other engine parts such as fuel injectors, spark plugs, and condenser. It’s also a good idea to get all your fluid levels checked, along with the level of anti-freeze if you are driving in the winter months. In addition to that, it is important it is to have your truck inspect yearly.

#4 STARTER

Battery problems usually occur in winter months because cold weather makes battery life shorter. However, this is an ongoing issue all year round. If you have a noisy starter or sluggish engine, it may be caused by a defective battery connection, damaged parts, or excessive current draw. These symptoms can be fixed by replacing a damaged part or component. In some cases, the starter itself may be malfunctioning.

It’s also recommended that, during starting your truck, switch off radios and non-essential components to put less strain on the starter and battery.

#5 WHEEL BEARINGS

A wheel bearing is the part of the wheel that allows it to turn. If it gets worn out or damaged, the wheel will no longer be able to turn smoothly. This causes the tire to wear down much faster because the force of the rotating tire comes into contact with the inner surface of the wheel bearing. When this happens, you should replace the wheel bearing immediately. The best time to do this is when the wheel is still on the vehicle.

If you wait until the wheel is off the vehicle, it will be more difficult to remove the wheel bearing. It will also be very difficult to get a new wheel bearing in place without destroying the wheel. If the wheel bearing is badly worn out or damaged, you’ll hear a loud screeching sound when you turn the wheel. This is very uncomfortable and will eventually cause the wheel to lock up. When this happens, it is hard (sometimes impossible) to steer the vehicle and you could even lose control of it.

Also, if the wheel bearing is damaged or worn out, the tire will be subject to excessive forces which will lead to faster tire wear. This can cause the tire to explode. That’s why it is important to replace a worn or damaged wheel bearing as soon as possible. If you wait too long, you could have an accident and the results could be disastrous.

SUMMARY OF COMMON TRUCK PROBLEMS

Overall, the best way to prevent common truck problems, or at least prevent them from getting worse, is by thorough and regular maintenance. Performing truck inspections before and after each trip as well as regular tune-ups from a professional, should be best practices to follow. And when the truck does require new components, use only high-quality replacement parts to ensure durability and reliable performance. With proper care, your vehicle should last a lot longer than it would have if neglected.

This article first appear on https://kch-ind.com/5-common-truck-problems-and-how-to-solve-them/