5 Common Commercial Vehicle Problems and How to Fix Them

This article will look at 5 Common Commercial Vehicle Problems and How to Fix Them. From braking troubles to bearing issues, we'll explain what's wrong and how to get back on the road safely.

Your truck is the foundation of your company. It's required for the job, whether it's moving stuff or transporting you. It is, nevertheless, a pricey piece of equipment. If your truck breaks down, you could lose money and even your reputation.

This article will look at 5 Common Commercial Vehicle Problems and How to Fix Them. From braking troubles to bearing issues, we'll explain what's wrong and how to get back on the road safely.

TYRES

Let's start with the most prevalent truck issue: TYRE. It is critical to check and recheck the inflation of all tyres on your truck to help safeguard them. It's not often that you'll have to worry about getting a flat tire due to a blowout. Having the proper tyre pressures, on the other hand, will lengthen the life of your tyres and, in most situations, avoid flats.

Overinflating will make them harder, making them less able to handle the stresses of driving. Allowing them to become low will result in the tires losing their grip on the road. It is preferable to have slightly under-inflated tires, which provide a little "give" when driving on uneven roads or on the highway.

As a result, you will experience fewer "pinch shocks" and will be able to maintain better control of your vehicle.

Also Read: Top 10 Truck and Bus Tyre Maintenance Tips and Guide

Once a month, check your tire pressures to ensure they are at the proper level. If not, you should allow your tires to pump up. It's simple to accomplish. Simply take your truck to a tyre shop and have the professionals there fill your tires. If you drive a lot, invest in a pair of heavy-duty all-terrain tires for your vehicle. This will enhance the performance and longevity of your tires.

BRAKES

It's critical to understand that there are various sorts of braking systems in use today. As an example, consider a drum or disc brake system. Both are widely employed for their braking qualities. The drum brake system employs a caliper attached to the wheel, whereas the disc brake system employs a caliper attached to the wheel hub.

The hydraulic fluid that operates the brake system is housed in the master cylinder, which is found in the majority of braking systems. This fluid is also utilized to modulate braking force as necessary.

Brake systems are not meant to last indefinitely. They must be properly maintained in order to function properly. In fact, there are some precautions you should take to ensure that your brakes do not fail sooner than they should.

It's a good idea to have the brakes checked out at least once a year, and more frequently if you drive a vehicle with a lot of weight on it or an older truck. You may hire a professional truck mechanic to do this for you to ensure that your brakes are in good working order.

Also Read: How to Maintain Your Commercial Vehicle for Optimal Performance

ENGINE

In many cases, the first sign that your truck's engine is having problems is when you notice excessive "noise." These sounds could be rattling, knocking, grinding, or anything else that triggers your "alarm bells." However, there may be warning indications before you hear this "noise." If you keep an eye on your truck, you might notice one or more of the following warning signs:

• The unexpected loss of power
• A spike in engine "backpressure" or "drag"
• The power is inconsistent
• Mild to moderate leaks of oil or coolant
• Inadequate acceleration or uneven fuel economy
• Unknown "check engine light" on the dashboard
• Engine component deterioration

If you travel frequently and have a lot of miles on your truck, schedule an oil change and filter replacement every 3,000 to 6,000 miles. This will help your engine last longer. Check the condition of other engine components such as the fuel injectors, spark plugs, and condenser.

It's also a good idea to get all of your fluid levels checked, as well as the level of anti-freeze if you're driving throughout the winter. Furthermore, it is critical to have your truck inspected yearly.

BATTERY

Battery issues are more common throughout the winter months since cold weather reduces battery life. However, this is a recurring problem throughout the year. A noisy starter or sluggish engine could be caused by a faulty battery connection, broken parts, or an excessive current draw. These symptoms are treatable by replacing a faulty part or component. The starter itself may be faulty in some circumstances.

It is also recommended that you turn off radios and non-essential components before starting your truck to reduce strain on the starter and battery.

WHEEL BEARINGS

A wheel bearing is the component of a wheel that permits it to rotate. If it becomes worn or broken, the wheel will no longer turn smoothly. Because the force of the rotating tire comes into touch with the inner surface of the wheel bearing, the tire wears out faster. When this happens, you should replace the wheel bearing as soon as possible. When the wheel is still on the vehicle, this is the optimum moment to do it.

It will be more difficult to remove the wheel bearing if you wait until the wheel is off the vehicle. It will also be extremely difficult to install a replacement wheel bearing without damaging the wheel. When you turn the wheel, you will hear a loud screeching sound if the wheel bearing is badly worn out or destroyed.

This is quite inconvenient and will eventually cause the wheel to lock up. When this happens, steering the vehicle becomes difficult (often impossible) and you may lose control.

Furthermore, if the wheel bearing is damaged or worn out, the tire will be subjected to excessive force, resulting in rapid tire wear. This has the potential to cause the tire to burst. As a result, it's critical to repair a worn or damaged wheel bearing as soon as feasible. If you wait too long, you may have an accident with disastrous consequences.

CONCLUSION

Overall, thorough and frequent maintenance is the best method to prevent common truck problems, or at least keep them from worsening. Best practices should include doing truck inspections before and after each journey, as well as frequent expert tune-ups.

When replacing components on the truck, use only high-quality replacement parts to ensure durability and dependable performance. Your vehicle should live much longer if properly maintained than if neglected.