Wear and tear. As a truck operator, driver or owner, this is a phrase you need to be across when it comes to your truck parts. Why? Because ensuring long term performance of your truck parts is vital when maintaining the condition of your truck or trucks. Having baseline understanding of the key signs your truck needs parts replacements is important to avoid small issues becoming much larger, and costly.
Make sure you place priority on maintaining the performance and reliability of your truck through regular monitoring, servicing and inspections, as well as addressing signs of wear and tear in a timely manner. Don’t let things slip when it comes to worn out parts. To make sure you know what to look out for and the steps to take, we have listed out some of the most common indicators to keep an eye out for.
Be proactive and replace worn out parts before they create long term, costly and larger issues to your truck. Let’s have a look at some of the most common signs of wear and tear we see on trucks and we’ll take you through which parts might need replacing.
Worn Brake Pads
Have you experience worn out brake pads? Let’s just say, they’re not fun. One of the most noticeable signs of worn out brake pads is a squealing or grinding noise when you hit the brakes. If you notice, or have noticed these noises, get in contact with your local service centre ASAP. Decreased brake performance, or where you notice your brake are experiencing longer stopping distances, likely means it's time to replace your brake pads. Replacing your old brake pads with new ones when they're are worn, ensures optimal braking performance and safety. Make sure you check your brake operations for wear and tear prior to leaving on your next trip. Inspect your parking brake, hydraulic brakes, air brakes and brake pads.
Leaking Fluids
Avoid leaking fluids. Leaking fluids might include, engine oil, coolant, or transmission fluid, and where leakage is experience, may indicate issues with gaskets, seals, or hoses. It's vital to address fluid leaks quickly to prevent engine damage, overheating, or transmission failure. Regular inspections and timely repairs in this case are vital.
Irregular Tyre Wear
Checking your truck tyres for wear and tear is critical to ensuring the longevity of your tyres, and ensuring they are running in peak condition. Uneven wear or damage of your tyres can lead to tyre failures, which can be harmful to your safety and the safety of others on the road. It can also cause misalignment, suspension problems or tyre balance issues. Not to mention, poor tyre quality will end up costing you significantly if you don’t identify it early.
Exhaust Smoke
Excessive smoke coming from the exhaust is not a good sign. This may indicate problems with your engine, such as worn-out piston rings or valve seals. Blue smoke indicates burning oil, while black smoke may suggest fuel-related issues. We recommend at this point a professional diagnosis and replacement of any faulty parts to restore the engine to full capacity. Call our sister company, Truckfix WA and book a diagnosis check if this is something you are experiencing.
Strange Noises
If you hear unusual or strange noises in your truck, like grinding, vibrations, knocking or whistling sounds, this could indicate an issue with any one of your truck parts. It could be anything from worn-out bearings, suspension bushings or power steering components. First you need to identify the source of the noise and then organise to have the part replaced. If you’re unsure, this is where you need to call in the experts. Call CLA Truck Parts for more help.
Dashboard Warning Lights
Don’t ever ignore your dashboard warning lights. These lights are there to indicate potential issues which need to be resolved. If you’re unsure of what one of the lights means, call CLA Truck Parts to help diagnose. Remember, dashboard lights indicate problems with the engine, transmission, brakes, or electrical system. You need to ensure a quick diagnostic check and appropriate part replacement where necessary to resolve any issues.
Reduced Fuel Efficiency
Poor engine lubrication and significant drops in fuel efficiency will lead to worn-out parts. These parts might include fuel injectors, air filters, or oxygen sensors. Fuel is expensive and you want to maximise fuel economy as much as possible for your truck. New oil maintains and cools the delicate engine parts and results in improved fuel economy. Ensuring you replace these parts will help restore your fuel efficiency and reduce your overall operating costs.
To ensure you maintain the highest performance, safety and longevity of your truck, you need to be able to identify wear and tear. Remember, regular inspections and being proactive in changing and replacing your truck parts is vital to ensure you avoid larger issues. What may start out small, will quickly escalate if not dealt with, resulting in larger, more costly issues. By being aware and taking care of your truck through replacing worn-out parts, you’ll ensure continued reliability, while also being able to enjoy a smoother and safer driving experience on the road. Winning!
CLA Truck Parts is your go to independent European Truck Parts supplier. We’re here to help you with every ‘part’ in keeping your truck, van or trailer on the road and operating in peak condition. Call us today and find out more about the parts we supply and how we can help you.