Check Your Signs of Alignment Problems

Whether you have one commercial truck or a fleet of them, it is your responsibility to operate your vehicle safely. That means conducting a pre-drive inspection and checking for signs of uneven wear and other signals of alignment problems.

One of the most obvious signs of a potential alignment problem is the uneven wear of your tires. Commercial vehicles are large and therefore have large tires, and that can make uneven tread wear patterns easier to spot. Take a close look at each of your tires and note how they are wearing. If the wear pattern looks uneven, give us a call to schedule an alignment check today.

Fixing Suspension Issues for Commercial Trucks

Fixing suspension issues on commercial trucks or equipment is not the same as making repairs to passenger cars and SUVs. Many shops lack the large facilities and heavy duty lifts required for these large vehicles, and sourcing the right parts can be another challenge.

At Columbus Fleet Maintenance we specialize in servicing commercial trucks, construction equipment and emergency or government fleets. Our lift is designed with the needs of fleet operators in mind, and you can rely on our training and expertise to get you the right suspension parts and get you back on the road in a timely manner.

We do Air Bag and Air Ride suspension too

The most common type uses a set of large, inflatable air spring bags under the truck instead of shocks and struts. The onboard air compressor is responsible for inflating and deflating these rubber bags under the truck.

Another type of air spring bag system that’s becoming more common in the market is a combination of the shock/strut system with air bags. In this situation, an air spring bag is installed under the coilover spring, between it and the body of the strut.

For both types of air bags, the bags are made from high performance rubber or another stretchy but strong material that can hold air.  However, over time, the material will degrade. Pinhole leaks can form, which reduce the quality of your handling and performance. Regular checks as a part of your maintenance plan can stay on top of these bags to keep them in good shape and ensure the longest life.

Common signs of a leak in an Air Spring Bag

• Sagging suspension

• Lower than usual ride height

• Compressor seems to run more often

Considerations:

• The actual type of air spring bag on your truck will depend on the type of suspension in question.

• Air spring bags can be visually inspected during maintenance, but it is also easy to see when a problem is severe enough to lower the ride height of the truck.

General Process:

• If the air spring bag needs to be replaced,  the truck is lifted and supported on jack stands.

• The current air spring bag is disconnected from the valve and air line. It is then taken off the locks and removed from the vehicle.

• The new air spring bag is installed, secured and connected to the air line and valve.

• The air spring bags are tested for proper operation by letting the system level out after starting the truck.

• The truck is tested to ensure proper operation of the air suspension system.

Our recommendation:

Whether you have a traditional air spring suspension or an air spring bag/strut setup, the condition of the bag itself is imperative to performance. Any holes, no matter how small, will cause air to escape, reducing performance and forcing the compressor to work harder (on systems with an onboard compressor). We recommend regular suspension inspections during routine maintenance services so any issues can be resolved.

Don’t Put Off an Air Spring Bag Repair

If your air spring bags have been damaged or have degraded to the point they’ve begun to leak, it’s important to have the problem addressed immediately.  Your handling could be impaired, and it could have safety implications.