Wheel alignment is an aspect of mechanical maintenance that is less well known to the general public. Wheel alignment refers to the fact that the wheels must be at the same height and angle. This ensures good control of the vehicle. A truck with good wheel alignment is safer and has a longer service life. A heavy-duty truck with aligned and balanced wheels wears its tires less quickly.
RIL CT-CAM is a heavy truck center specializing in the transportation and trucking industry. We repair all types of heavy trucks, light trucks, and pickup trucks. However, the signs presented in this article apply to both cars and heavy trucks.
Why do heavy truck wheels lose their alignment?
When you get your vehicle, it is properly aligned. This means that the wheels are exactly the same height. The weight of the vehicle is therefore distributed evenly between each contact point. Over time, the wheels of all types of vehicles eventually lose their alignment. Even without accidents, trucks and cars wear out and become slightly unstable. As the miles accumulate, tires wear out and the various components of the vehicle undergo shocks. Eventually, all vehicles, including trucks, become unbalanced.
The wheels of all types of vehicles can also lose their alignment in the event of accidents, even non-dangerous ones. Driving over a large pothole, for example, can cause a shock that immediately affects the balance of the tires. In these cases, we strongly recommend contacting a team that specializes in truck mechanics or your type of vehicle.
The warning signs that indicate you need to have a wheels alignment
When your tires show uneven wear
First, if you have noticed that your tires are not wearing evenly on both sides of the vehicle, it is possible that the vehicle is misaligned. This is typically caused by one section of the truck carrying more of the weight. If this is the case, consider making an appointment with a truck mechanic as soon as possible.
When you have been in an accident (whether dangerous or not)
Next, if you have been in an accident or collision, your vehicle may lose its alignment. If you remember hitting a curb or driving over a pothole that was a little too deep, you should consider having your truck’s wheels aligned.
When your heavy-duty truck pulls to one side
When a truck is misaligned, it naturally tends to “pull” more to one side than the other. If you notice that when you let go of the steering wheel the vehicle turns slightly to one side or the other, it is undoubtedly due to wheel misalignment. This sign applies to all types of vehicles, including cars.
When your truck has unfamiliar vibrations
Instability is an important symptom of misaligned wheels. In winter, unfamiliar vibrations are common due to snow and ice. There is no need to panic about this symptom during this period. However, if you experience even the slightest vibration when driving on a normal, undamaged, road, this is an important sign to consider. You should consult a truck mechanic expert as soon as possible.
When your vehicle suddenly consumes more fuel
Finally, a vehicle that suddenly consumes more fuel may also be a symptom of poor wheel alignment. This is because the engine sometimes has to burn more fuel to compensate for the uneven weight distribution of the vehicle. However, this problem can also be caused by other factors. If you have noticed a change of this type, call a truck center to make an appointment.
Why do heavy truck wheels need to be aligned?
A heavy-duty truck alignment does not always involve exactly the same maneuvers. In practical terms, wheel alignment serves to ensure that the vehicle’s wheels distribute the vehicle’s weight evenly.
Uneven balancing causes some wheels to wear faster than others. This causes long-term stability issues and impairs vehicle control.
How often should wheel alignment be performed on trucks?
For heavy trucks, specialized mechanics recommend at least one checkup per year to prevent vehicle misalignment. However, for heavy trucks used on rough roads, alignment may be necessary more than once a year.
For all types of vehicles, mechanics typically recommend having the wheels aligned after 20,000 km of driving. Yes, even if the driving experience is not yet affected. However, you typically need to ask your mechanic to do a wheel alignment, as most mechanics do not do it automatically.
For pickup truck or light truck wheel alignments, these recommendations generally apply as well. If you have driven a lot in the past year, contact a truck center near you to have your wheels aligned and to stay safe.
For professionals in the trucking industry, heavy truck wheel alignment is typically mandated by companies and governments at a frequency that is more than sufficient. When you perform your mandated maintenance, do business with a truck center in Laval with decades of experience. We can quickly perform the checks you need so you can get back on the road as fast as possible.
In any case, after an accident or after performing maneuvers that may misalign the wheels, you must take steps to ensure your safety. Do not ignore events that may have caused damage to your truck. If you have been in a collision, hit a curb, or driven on a road with large potholes, call a mechanic. Check that your wheels are still properly aligned and balanced, and that your vehicle is still safe.
Where can I get wheel alignment for heavy trucks?
If you notice that your vehicle is no longer aligned correctly, you should take action sooner rather than later.
If you drive a light vehicle, such as a car or SUV, consult a mechanic in your area. Despite our expertise, we do not offer these services.
However, if you drive a heavy vehicle, such as a semi-truck, a specialized heavy vehicle, a pickup truck, or even a van, you can do business with us. For your truck alignment and wheel balancing issues in Greater Montreal, contact us as soon as possible.