Trucks are essential for transporting goods from one area to another. Before starting a journey, it’s crucial to check the truck to ensure it is stable and all components are working properly. Regular maintenance and repairs are necessary to avoid breakdowns while traveling. Truck drivers rely on well-maintained trucks to ensure efficient deliveries and prevent issues on the road.
If you need help repairing your truck and you live in Greater Phoenix, Arizona, you’ve come to the right place. At Battle Ready Roadside, we explore the most common truck breakdowns and how to prevent them. For more information, keep scrolling below.
Truck issues such as tire blowouts, faulty batteries, or oil leaks can happen anytime, anywhere, and can significantly affect your operations if you own a trucking company.
It’s important to know the common truck breakdowns so you can avoid them, especially when driving on the highway. Being aware of them ahead of time can help you develop strategies to prevent these breakdowns. Here are the common truck breakdowns that can occur.
Tire Blowouts
One of the most common truck breakdowns is tire blowouts. Semi-trucks usually carry heavy loads over long distances, and a tire blowout can occur while traveling on the road. To prevent these tire blowouts, follow these tips:
- Regular Inspections and Maintenance: Regular inspections of tires help prevent blowouts. Proper maintenance can detect issues like misaligned axles, shallow tread depth, poorly inflated tires, and other problems that can cause blowouts. It’s important to use preventative maintenance services for your truck to ensure it is safe and efficient.
- Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure: When tires are overinflated or underinflated, they can cause a blowout. Always check the tire pressure to ensure it is properly inflated before starting your journey.
- Removing Worn-Out Tires: Tires wear out with regular use. You must remove and replace old tires, especially if the treads are worn down, as this could lead to a blowout.
Proper maintenance of your truck can be highly beneficial. It increases efficiency and prevents expensive repairs.
Brake Malfunction
Brakes are responsible for stopping your truck in emergencies. Brake problems often occur due to poor maintenance, leading to accidents and injuries, which can reduce the efficiency of a trucking company. The heavy weight of a truck and its load puts intense pressure on the brakes, causing them to wear down easily. Regular maintenance of trucks can help prevent brake issues on the road.
Oil Spills
Oil leaks can cause a truck to break down in the middle of the road. Before starting your journey, check your fluids. If you notice an oil leak, repair it immediately. Oil leaks reduce lubrication, increasing friction and causing metal components to rub against each other. This friction can be harmful and lead to component failure. Routine maintenance can detect these issues early and prevent them from worsening.
Electrical System Failure
Trucks may experience electrical system failure on the road, causing delivery delays. Electrical issues are usually caused by problems with the alternator, starter motor, or battery. Drivers can detect electrical issues if they notice flashing headlights, hear clicking noises when starting the engine, or if the truck won’t start due to a dead battery.
Detecting electrical problems in a truck can be difficult until they cause issues. Early detection, maintenance, and replacing old parts can prevent these problems. Truck diagnostic software can help find faulty electrical parts before they cause issues.
Overheating
Engine overheating can be caused by various problems, such as leaking coolant, a defective thermometer, or a faulty radiator cap. Determining the actual cause of engine overheating can be difficult. A professional truck repair expert can inspect and diagnose the truck to find the real cause of the problem.
Engine Issues
The engine is responsible for running the truck, and it can experience different problems that may cause the truck to break down. Blown gaskets, fuel leaks, and poor maintenance can lead to engine problems. Overheating is also an engine issue that must be dealt with immediately.
When engine issues occur, they must be repaired immediately. Engine repairs can be expensive because many components could be affected. These issues can cause delivery delays and affect your trucking services. Ensure that your truck undergoes regular maintenance and repairs once problems are detected to prevent them from worsening over time.
Defective Clutch
Truck drivers spend a lot of time on the road, especially when delivering goods and products to different areas. This constant use can wear down various components of the truck, like the clutch. A defective clutch can lead to accidents and injuries. Proper maintenance and repair services can fix or replace defective clutches, ensuring safety and reliability.
Suspension Failure
If you notice regular shaking or clicking sounds while driving, it may be a sign of suspension failure. The ball joints in one area of the truck are prone to breakdowns, resulting in a bumpy and uncomfortable ride. If left unattended, this can damage other parts of the truck. Inspections and diagnostic checks before a trip can help detect suspension problems early.
Faulty Exhaust System
Issues with the exhaust system can lead to truck breakdowns. Due to strict trucking standards, emissions must be kept within acceptable levels. The truck’s exhaust system must be maintained to prevent harmful fumes from entering the environment and the truck’s interior. Regular replacement and repair of cabin air filters and exhaust system components can prevent these problems.
Battery Failure
A dead truck battery can prevent the truck from running, as it provides essential power. Before a trip, check the battery’s condition, life span, and any warning signs of failure to avoid breakdowns on the road.
If you can’t remember the last time your truck underwent preventative maintenance, now is the right time. Don’t waste any time. If you are based in Greater Phoenix, Arizona, contact a truck repair expert like Battle Ready Roadside for preventative maintenance and repairs.
If your truck needs repair and you live in Greater Phoenix, Arizona, check out Battle Ready Roadside. Our company is veteran-owned, offering repair services for semi-trucks and trailers. If you need help fixing your truck, please reach out to us. Call us at 623-755-1196 or email battlereadyroadside@gmail.com. Choose Battle Ready Roadside for your truck’s repair needs. What are you waiting for? Contact us immediately!
