Maintenance

Tire wear patterns telling of overall truck maintenance
Correctly reading and interpreting tire wear can save you money, enhance safety and alleviate maintenance headaches.
July 1, 2011
Tread patterns on a truck tire
I-94 closure planned this weekend
A section of I-94 near Detroit will be closed in both directions this weekend. Also: New end yokes by Spicer available for replacement in Allison auto transmissions; six fleets seek waiver for flashing brake lights.
February 2, 2023
Trucks on highway in Detroit
Hours regs waived for propane haulers in three states
Governors in Nevada, South Dakota and Wyoming have issued emergency declarations over propane shortages. Also: I-15 closing in Nevada; overweight waiver extended for certain Iowa haulers; FleetPride acquires Florida repair shop.
January 24, 2023
Tanker truck on highway
DIY maintenance for a healthier bottom line
While your free time is valuable, every maintenance job you can do yourself is one you don’t have to pay someone else to do.
October 12, 2022
Engine work
Pricing problems in the parts aftermarket? Owner-operators like Lee Epling are adapting
Is there parts-pricing relief in sight? According to a recent parts-aftermarket sales index, the tide may have turned in June. Meanwhile, owner-operator Lee Epling's doing all he can to prevent an expensive purchase on the road.
September 14, 2022
Lee Epling 1999 Peterbilt 379
What's available in the used-truck-warranty market
Beyond the OEM warranties that sometimes can be found on newer used trucks, aftermarket extended warranties are available from a handful of providers, and powertrain warranties are available from engine OEMs.
August 16, 2022
Owner-operator Sustaita's 2013 Kenworth T660 hooked to a dry van
Updated: Maintenance know-how to help stay ahead of inspectors
From tires and brakes to air and emissions systems, we've compiled this comprehensive collection of truck maintenance coverage in Overdrive to help keep your rig passing inspections and hauling strong.
February 14, 2020
truck belt maintenance
The toughest states for brakes violations: 2022 update to get prepped for Brake Safety Week blitz
The brakes-enforcement blitz's focus this year on hose/tube chafing yields plenty in the way of tips for preparing. What states are most likely to issue violations during the August 21-28 event? Find out here.
August 2, 2022
Florida Highway Patrol inspector points out a chafed brake air line hose
Excessive heat brings on tire safety concerns
The hotter days of summer can take a greater toll on tires. Experts advise taking certain steps to beat the heat.
July 8, 2022
Transervice tire inspection
Trucking groups ask for more time to comment on speed limiters
Despite opposing opinions on speed limiters, OOIDA and ATA have both asked FMCSA to extend the comment period for the agency's speed limiter notice. Also: New Love's in Georgia; more truck parking in Montana; roadside service in OR; latest Highway Angel.
May 20, 2022
speeding truck on highway
Roadcheck: What inspectors are seeing at White River Junction on I-91
In Vermont on Roadcheck's first day, owner-operator J.R. Quirion confidently volunteers himself for inspection to avoid hassle later; another driver wasn't so lucky with some dangerously bald trailer tires.
May 18, 2022
roadcheck inspection taking place
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
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
TACS
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One owner-op's long road to steady dry-bulk freight, for the whole family
In this Overdrive Radio edition out on a dry-bulk haul with Kentucky-based John McCormick, the owner-operator lays out his own and his father's different histories in trucking. Their stories converged in recent years on this regular run.
John Highley's 2018 Kenworth W900L
Custom Rigs
John Highley’s custom specialized-freight-hauling 2018 W900L
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Overdrive Extra
More freight fraud inbound? Pessimistic rates outlook sets the stage
Kelvin Schmidt's 2018 Volvo, parked at home
Trucker of the Year
Always headed home: Owner-op pulls in profit with a single goal in mind
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The Business Manual for Owner-Operators
Overdrive editors and ATBS present the industry’s best manual for prospective and committed owner-operators. You’ll find exceptional depth on many issues in the 2022 edition of Partners in Business.
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