How often should truck wheels be maintained?
3 Answers
Trucks generally require their first maintenance at 5,000 kilometers. Engine oil should be changed every 5,000 kilometers. During oil changes, it's recommended to replace all three filters simultaneously, with gear oil being replaced every 21,000 kilometers. For wheel maintenance, it should be performed every six months. For long-distance trucks or dump trucks, maintenance should be conducted monthly, with brake adjustments every half month. Basic maintenance items for large trucks include: Changing engine oil and three filters (oil filter, air filter, and diesel filter); Wheel hub maintenance: Due to their heavy load capacity, large trucks use tapered bearings that require high-grade grease. Truck primary maintenance inspection items: Replace engine oil, oil filter, gasoline filter, and air filter; Check if the coolant level meets specifications; Inspect brake and clutch fluid levels; Verify if the power steering fluid reservoir level complies with standards, and check all system oil pipe connections for leaks.
I've been driving trucks for twenty years, and wheel maintenance really depends on the specific situation. For heavy-duty trucks hauling gravel and running in mountainous areas, you basically need to check the hub temperature every month. If it's too hot to touch, you must disassemble and service it immediately. Light-duty delivery trucks running on flat plains can last three months. The key is to listen for any abnormal noises from the bearings—I check the tire clearance with a pry bar before every trip. Last time, I noticed the hub turning blue in advance, opened it up, and found the bearing balls shattered. Luckily, I replaced them in time. After driving on muddy roads in the rain, it's best to wash the hubs immediately, as dried mud can wear out the oil seals. Overloaded truck owners need to service their wheels even more frequently—don't skimp on a few hundred bucks in maintenance costs and end up losing an entire axle.
In our repair shop, the most common issue we encounter with trucks is seized wheel hubs, mostly due to prolonged lack of maintenance. For bearing maintenance, it's essential to replace the entire set of seals and shims; simply adding grease is completely ineffective. For heavy-duty tractors, we recommend maintenance every two months, especially for vehicles frequently operating on construction sites. Last time, there was a cement tanker whose bearings were completely worn out without the driver knowing, and the wheel flew off, damaging a storefront. During maintenance, it's crucial to thoroughly clean out the old grease with a heat gun, being as meticulous as when changing transmission oil. Steering wheels require even more proactive maintenance, as sudden steering lock-up can be terrifying. Nowadays, replacing a set of genuine SKF bearings costs just around a thousand bucks, which is much cheaper than towing fees.
