Maintenance

The five most-common reasons wheel seals fail -- and other Roadcheck-ready wheel-end resources

Roadcheck's focus next week? Wheel end components. Expect closer scrutiny of hubs. Among the first indicators of a problem is a leaky wheel seal. FMCSA consistently names leaky hubs/seals one of the most common violations found in inspection.

May 12, 2022

Tennessee roadside inspector inspecting a wheel

Proper wheel end play the difference in bearing life and loose wheels

Pre-adjusted wheel end systems are intended to be locked down and secured based on the tolerance stack ups of components inside the system.

February 18, 2020

RevHD Heavy-Duty Wheel Seals-2019-01-22-08-26

Updated: Maintenance know-how to help stay ahead of inspectors

From tires and brakes to air and emissions systems, we've compiled the best truck maintenance tips to help keep your rig passing inspections and hauling strong.

February 14, 2020

truck belt maintenance

CCJ's updated Air Brake Book now available for download

The 11th edition of CCJ's Air Brake Book, a free industry resource guide, is now available.

April 6, 2022

Screen Shot 2022 04 05 At 1 40 26 Pm

Deleting emissions problems without deleting the system

Last week at MATS, a panel discussion with oil and fuel purification systems manufacturer Clean Air Fleet and two of its customers detailed advantages that come with cleaning up fluids. The impact extends to prevention of common emissions problems.

March 31, 2022

Clean Air Fleet DPF

When parts shortages affect repairs

Not only is the parts shortage impacting the sale of parts, but it’s also hindering services the aftermarket channel can perform.

March 1, 2022

Tampa Spring service bays.

Emissions systems, while improved, still causing issues for some owners

A combined 46% of used-truck buyers reported having to rebuild or conduct other engine work or having issues with emissions system components. By model year, owner-ops report 2016 and newer engines fare better on emissions issues.

February 15, 2022

Robert Wafer's 2014 Peterbilt 579

Tire anomaly technology is more than a compliance and maintenance tool. It’s also a safety tool.

IRD has experienced an "explosion of interest" with it's tire anomaly and classification system because of its accuracy in catching tire abnormalities.

February 13, 2022

An assist for avoiding brake adjustment violations

Though the national rate for brake-adjustment violations has been decreasing in recent years, small fleet owner Bryon Stoll found (the hard way) a state where that's definitely not the case. That led him to this simple adjustment indicator assist device.

February 3, 2022

upclose shot of brake safe indicator on a reefer trailer

Mack launches new comprehensive maintenance program for customers

The new Mack Premium Service Agreement covers a variety of maintenance and is available for Mack Anthem, Pinnacle, Granite, TerraPro and LR owners. Also: Latest Highway Angel helped woman who had medical emergency while driving; HHG fraud scheme.

September 16, 2021

Holy moly: Proper grease compounds critical in lube application

Moly particles are solid additives that are normally larger than the fluid film developed by the base oil in a high-speed bearing. The higher the relative linear speed, the lower the viscosity required to provide an adequate lubrication film.

August 26, 2021

greasing a bearing

Combating rustjacking is an industrywide effort

Rustjacking on brakes is dangerous and it can get a vehicle pulled out of service. Combating rustjacking is a team sport for owners, techs and brake vendors.

August 17, 2021

Technician working on truck tire

Misdiagnosis, improper shop practices keep brake adjustment in out of service violations Top 5

Despite years of warnings, automatic slack adjusters continue to be manually adjusted by technicians who may not know any better or who may be eager to get a truck out of the shop.

November 26, 2020

truck wheel end

FTC cracking down on 'right to repair' violations

The FTC will begin devoting more resources to combat unlawful repair restrictions from OEMs. Also: Custom-paint consults at Big Iron Classic; $100k donation to St. Christopher Fund; trucker recognized for help at accident scene; Columbus KW expands;

July 26, 2021

Shop Work Mechanic Engine

Practicing the fine art of exorcising ‘aftertreatment demons’

If certain emissions system problems seem mysterious, that’s often no accident. Much of the discussion among panelists in an Overdrive webcast last week centered around misdiagnosis – by the truck owner as well as by some technicians.

May 24, 2021

Diesel panel on a zoom call

Weighing an engine rebuild vs. a truck trade

When you've got to choose between overhauling an engine or trading in an aging truck, there's a lot to consider. Here's how owner-ops Phil and Annett Albert made the decision.

April 2, 2021

Phil and Annett Albert standing in front of their semi-truck

3 ways to extend DPF life and keep filters running cleaner

Maintaining diesel particulate filters can be a tough and costly battle. Here are three ways to extend the life of your DPF and reduce downtime and costs associated with repairs and upkeep.

March 25, 2021

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Three of Frank Bowman's trucks

Truckers mostly filling up on profits in ‘feast or famine’ oilfield trucking niche

The oilfield segment of trucking is as diverse as the trucking industry itself. With flatbeds hauling equipment, liquid bulk tankers hauling water and crude, pneumatic tanks hauling frac sand and more, opportunities in oilfield abound.

Electric trucks with charger

Will battery-electric trucks end up a ‘black eye’ on environmental benefits?

1984 and 1987 Peterbilt 359s

Darrell Estes' pair of custom Peterbilt 359s -- a 1984 and '87, both with rich histories

Fuel-market insanity: A tale of two loads, bedrock cost control, rates-management tactics

Garmin Dezl Truck Navigators

Garmin Dezl Truck Navigators

How politics and PR cloud 'zero emissions' reality -- digging into recent ATRI analysis

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