As robust as commercial vehicles are, problems are likely to arise over time due to natural wear and tear. If your steering wheel is off center, you have excessive or uneven tire wear, your vehicle wanders or pulls to the right then you may have problems with your alignment or suspension. That’s why it’s important to invest in routine suspension and wheel alignment maintenance on your fleet vehicles. Visit Vancouver Axle & Frame for preventative maintenance of your vehicles in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley!
What is Vehicle Suspension?
A car is suspended by a conglomerate of springs, shocks, and struts. These shock absorbers aid in the control of your vehicle by keeping the tires on the road, and prevent excess bouncing when you hit a bump or drive over a pothole. In a perfect world, the rear wheels are exactly parallel with the center-line of a vehicle. Dog tracking, also known as wandering, involves a defect in the suspension parts or angles of the wheels on a truck. In a vehicle displaying a tendency to wander across the road, the driver has to continually adjust the steering to keep traveling in a straight line.
Therefore, it’s important to routinely undergo this maintenance on commercial vehicles in order to maximize control and driving efficiency while you’re out on the road. If you’re not sure if your suspension is bad, here are a few signs to look out for:
- Your vehicle feels like it rolls or sways on turns.
- You can feel steering wheel vibrations as you gain speed.
- The front end of your car or truck dips when braking, or bounces when you stop.
What is Vehicle Alignment?
If your steering wheel is off-center, (the logo is not straight even though your wheels are straight) this is a telltale sign of the need for an alignment. Without a proper alignment or tire balancing, driving can become unsafe and expensive. Vehicle alignment can affect anywhere from the steerability and stability of your vehicle to its performance and safety. You may even find that your vehicle pulls to the right, which can ultimately lead to excessive tire wear and uneven wear on tires. Fortunately, we can get your truck’s wheels and tires back to traveling in the same direction and striking the road at the proper angle in no time.
What Causes Wheel Misalignment?
In general, misalignment can be caused by the driver, the road, or the worn components in the vehicle. A vehicle that is misaligned can be more difficult to operate, which can be stressful and fatiguing for the driver. Wheel misalignment occurs due to a number of factors including tough road conditions, large payloads, accidents, and other heavy impacts. Typically, the larger the impact, the higher the potential you have of throwing your vehicle’s alignment out of place.
Benefits of Suspension & Wheel Alignment Maintenance
The biggest advantages of front-end alignments for heavy-duty vehicles and commercial fleets include better gas mileage and reduced tread wear. Not only does this extend the life of your tires, but it reduces the need for expensive auto repairs. Other benefits include:
- Better handling
- Improved vehicle safety
- Less damage to other vehicle components
When it comes to your vehicle, you can pay less now for preventive maintenance, or you can pay more—often much more–later for repairs resulting from ignoring a maintenance schedule. At Vancouver Axle & Frame, we’re proud of our enduring history of quality and professional services for our customers. Our knowledgeable, friendly and experienced team of mechanics will go the extra mile for every client that we serve. We want to be your first call for your commercial vehicle repairs and maintenance.
Contact us to book your preventative maintenance appointment today >