Whether it’s setting up new parts for fleet trucks of all types or making necessary repairs for truck owners and companies who come their way, the goal of any good fleet management service should always be to get you back on the road and back to work. Here are four common repairs made on fleet trucks. Read on to learn more about them, so you can be on the lookout for them so that you can know what exactly you need to get checked out by your own ASE mechanic in the future!
1: Fleet Truck Wheel Bearing Replacements
Your fleet truck’s wheel bearings are the part of the tractor and tractor-trailer that minimize friction, making it an essential part of your truck’s ability to turn and brake smoothly. If you hear a chirping, squealing, or growling noise coming from your wheel wells, this is the surest way to tell that your wheel bearings are taking a “turn” for the worse.
You can also tell if your wheel bearings need help by paying attention to how your vehicle is driving. Does it feel too “loose” when you try to steer it? Do the tires feel like they are pulling too far into one side or the other? When a wheel bearing begins to break down, it’s usually because the smooth exterior lining has been worn away, so the vibration gets directly sent to the tires instead. That’s what causes it to feel like your tires are “pulling” to one side or the other.
Thankfully, replacing your wheel bearings is a quick and painless process. All it really involves is degreasing and removing the old bearings and the parts that hold them together, and then greasing and adding the new parts onto the truck. So, as soon as these problems start occurring, you should make sure you get your fleet truck to an ASE-certified diesel mechanic as soon as you can, so that it doesn’t begin to get worse.
2: Big Rig Brake System Repairs
Diesel trucks have a larger payload, which means that there is a lot more pressure put on brakes than in standard cars. As a result, it’s not unusual for these brakes to experience fluid leaks, and, in some cases, total brake failure.
However, don’t panic just yet. If this happens, you’ll likely only lose performance in one brake, but you should resolve the issues with your brake system as quickly as possible for your safety and the safety of everyone sharing the road with you.
A semi automotive service company that specializes in fleet management has all the necessary materials and tools to help you get your diesel truck’s brake system repaired in no time, and usually for an affordable price, too. So really, there is no reason to wait to get this key part of your truck checked out.
3: Diesel Truck Starter Troubles
When the temperatures begin dropping, so does your starter’s performance. Here in East Tennessee, it’s common for our September days to get no lower than maybe 70 degrees; but make no mistake, diesel truckers often travel to the Midwest or Northeast through harsh winter conditions. Not to mention, it can get pretty chilly on a regional drive up and through the Smoky Mountains, too.
Any truck that is going to be used in cold temperatures should have its starter reviewed before the trip by an ASE-certified diesel mechanic to make sure that it meets minimum performance standards. If not, get the repairs made as soon as you can before heading out on the job. Most of the time, all a starter needs are just new bushes or repairs to the armature and field windings, and it’s usually one of the more affordable repairs that can be made.
4: Tractor Trailer Engine Overheating
Unlike a lot of the repairs we have talked about thus far, an overheated engine is not exactly the most affordable repair, and it’s definitely not considered a minor one either. There are lots of issues with your diesel truck that could cause an overheating engine: anything from blown gaskets to fuel leaks, but the results and the damage are the same. Overheating engines can have drastic consequences for the vehicle and the driver. If they are left unchecked and you go out driving, you can end up in a nasty accident, so it’s safe to say that if the issue is not addressed at once, it could lead to the engine failing entirely.
Luckily, here at CDS, our team of certified mechanics are engine experts. You’re not the first to need a total engine overhaul and you won’t be the last, either. The repair is very time-consuming and often involves needing to purchase all new parts which can also hold up the process. However, it is a repair that can be done, and our team of fleet managers will always work to keep you informed of your diesel truck’s progress since we know that’s what we would want too if we were in your shoes.
Manage your Fleet with CDS
Certified Diesel Solutions (CDS) is Knoxville’s leading semi-truck automotive service company and has been since we first set up shop in 2009. With our team of well-trained ASE-certified staff, innovative diagnostic technology, and the latest equipment in semi-truck automotive services, we are more than ready to take care of any make and model of tractor-trailer and diesel truck—no matter what the problem might be. Whether your transportation company is looking for an automotive service partner, fleet management assistance, or a total diesel engine overhaul, CDS has you covered with professional, efficient service that will have you back behind the wheel and out on the road again in no time. Call us to make an appointment today at 865-964-6598 or contact us online to schedule one of our services.