While it is important to ensure that any vehicle is properly configured and maintained, this is especially true when it comes to heavy-duty trucks. These vehicles often have to carry significant loads, and this puts tremendous pressure on crucial component parts on an everyday basis. In particular, it's important to ensure that the suspension is set up well and that the individual parts are changed according to manufacturer recommendations. If they are not, this can lead to additional expenditure or even failure in the worst-case scenario. As a fleet manager, if you've been experiencing issues with your truck wheel bearings, what could be going wrong?

Hub Configurations

Suspension and hub configuration are both critical in ensuring that the vehicle performs correctly. Not only must these parts be inspected on a regular basis, but they must be adjusted correctly whenever they are replaced.

Critical Maintenance

The bearings have to be serviced carefully to ensure that they are set within very tight tolerances. In fact, the clearance is critical to wheel-end health, and there's not very much room for error when it comes to the adjustment.

Engineers should become familiar with the difference between "preload" and "end play", which are different adjustments that have a markedly different effect on the way that the hub assembly performs. Preload is very different than end play, and too much of either can result in excessive heat, damage and failure. Preload applies a compression force to the bearings to make sure that they are held safely within the wheel hub. End play refers to the free movement of the bearings that allows them to sit correctly on the hub spindle.

Regular Inspection

Engineers should get used to inspecting the wheel-end system as a preventative maintenance procedure. A visual inspection can often pinpoint warning signs such as leakage around the hub gaskets or seals. If there is any wetness on the back of the wheel, that may be another indication that the seal is leaking. Staff members should further check the hub assembly to look for excessive end play.

Taking Action

You may be spending far too much on replacement wheel bearings due to incorrect adjustment, especially when it comes to preload and end play. Always ensure that you fit high-quality replacement bearings and make the additional effort to adjust them correctly. You may be able to cut down on your annual vehicle maintenance costs.

Contact a company that sells products like Hino truck parts for more information.