Early Signs And Symptoms Of Wheel-End Problems
Any good mechanical inspection of a truck will include a close look for early signs and symptoms of wheel-end problems. It's cheaper and safer to detect minor problems than wait until bearings are damaged and need to be replaced. Prompt maintenance will reduce bearing damage and save on long-term costs.
Eyeball wheel-ends closely during a simple walk-around inspection. Bearing damage may have already begun if you see:
• Hub cap sight glass is discolored or burnt;
• Low oil level in the hub cap sight glass;
• Lube leakage on any external surface of the wheel hub or tire;
• Abnormal tire wear; and/or a smoking or extremely hot hub cap (too hot to touch).
An alert driver can also detect early stage problems. Bearing damage may have already begun if the driver notices any of the above symptoms, and:
• Wheel vibration, wobble or noise;
• Increased stopping distance or decreased braking power;
• Abnormal side pull when brakes are applied;
• Wheel lock-up or skidding; and
• Higher fuel consumption.
Any or all of those tell-tale signs beg for closer inspections and, almost certainly, repairs. Remember that left uncorrected, underlubed bearings can heat up to where the wheel-end will shear off the axle, sending the tire/wheel assemblies off by themselves.
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