Wheel End Solutions for Commercial Vehicles

Wheel end solutions for trucks are important to keep a vehicle running smoothly on the road. With a new generation of commercial vehicles coming in the market, truck owners are facing issues in repairing or replacing old wheels of their trucks. Here is a guide for wheel-end maintenance practices and solutions for commercial trucks.

What is ‘wheel ends’ and why is it important to maintain? 

The trucking sector has a confusing term called ‘wheel ends’ that refers to a 16-wheeler truck. However, this can also be referred for more than 10-wheel ends units. Despite the varied large sizes of these trucks, the basic principles are the same for wheel bearing maintenance and inspections. 

Commercial vehicle industry in Canada is growing and truck drivers are logging billions of miles annually. With more trucks on the road, it becomes even more critical to properly maintain wheel ends in order to avoid catastrophic wheel offs that could lead to a crash or an accident with injuries. 

However, in recent news, the Canadian Government has stated that providing $12.5 million to fund projects across the nation will enhance vehicle safety and reduce the risk of road tragedies.

Detection of wheel-end issues and maintenance best practices

Wheel end issue detection is essential to ensure that vehicle travels safely and smoothly. The detection and inspection of the problem helps to determine whether there is a need for wheel-end repair or not. 

Manufacturers provide different recommendations on how often wheel ends should be inspected. Still, most people agree that it's best to check them at-least every six months or once a year for every 50,000 to 100,000 miles.  

Identifying wheel-end issues before downtime could save a commercial vehicle customer from costly emergency roadside towing and repairs. Initial diagnosis of a wheel-end problem can be done by closely looking at it and making observations. In case, the following symptoms are there, the bearing damage could already have begun:

·         Tire wear

·         Irregular Vibration 

·         Unusual brake performance

·         Damage or overheat in Hubcaps

·         Burning smell or smoke in Wheel-End  

Best Practices for Commercial Vehicle Wheel End Solutions 

1) Inspect Spindle and Spindle Threads 

Inspect the spindle and thread for any signs of damage, such as light fret or corrosion pits. You should also check if it has been overheated or if there is a discolouration due to it. Along with these, you might want to look out for punch marks/chisel markings, weld beads on metal parts and upset metal.  

Thankfully these damaged threads can be easily repaired using a pitch thread file or die nut. 

2) Inspect the Fastener, Lock Nut, Bearing Adjustments 

The components of a truck's spindle end vary by manufacturer, so it is crucial to inspect the complete ball bearing kit, including fastener, lock nut, bearing adjustment nut and washer. 

Furthermore, if you find chisel marks or other deformation on any part as signs of improper installation, address them quickly before they cause more damage. 

3) Inspect Wheel Bearings 

Inspect bearings for any signs of wear and tear. The worn down or corroded bearings are prone to breaking and spalling where the metal flakes off from the surface due to corrosion. Replace the truck wheel bearing kit, if any of these conditions exist to keep your vehicle running at its best! 

4) Inspect Lubrication 

When lubrication is low, the wheel will grind and become stiff. To prevent this in your commercial vehicle hub bearings, inspect for complex particle and water contaminates (e.g., milky appearance or discolouration). If you find any, thoroughly clean them off with a dry cloth or rag before applying new lubrication to ensure that rust does not form in those areas again.  

Check the wheel end often to determine what service is needed, including replacing ball bearings, refilling the hub with specified wheel grease (be sure it matches what was already there) and then pack everything back up tightly using your own techniques so they will stay waterproof until use again next time! 

5) Inspect Hubcap 

While inspecting for a hubcap, check out the window to see if it's opaque. Ensure that there are no contaminants on or near its fill plugs. Inspect the side of it, look at where this plug attaches to get an idea about how well-maintained everything else might be. The vents should also be clear! 

Wheels are the most important part of a truck. The wheel-end solutions from Surya Truck Parts help protect your investment and keep you on the road for long. We have all sorts of heavy truck parts, including truck wheel bearing kits, airbags and brake assemblies for both axles.  

Surya Truck & Trailer Parts is a Canada based heavy duty truck and trailer parts distributor. We are the leading supplier of aftermarket replacement truck and trailer parts, meeting all OEM specifications for your commercial vehicle.

You can find out more information about our products by visiting our store or by writing to our team at Info@SuryaTruckParts.com