July_2021 - 17

That is why TMC RP 642 recommends checking
alignment after an initial break-in period of
15,000 to 30,000 miles, or no more than 90 days.
Technicians are advised to inspect tire/wheel
assemblies for tire wear. An all-axle alignment
is also recommended after this break-in period.
Then, an all-axle alignment is recommended every
80,000 to 100,000 miles, or 12 to 18 months.
Bee Line's Schutt said fleets
should design preventive
maintenance (PM) programs
and schedule PM intervals
based on vehicle types, the
environments they work in,
and their duty cycle.
According
to
Schutt,
light-duty and in-town
commercial vehicles should
have an alignment performed
about every six months. This
includes vehicles engaged
in last-mile delivery. At the
other end of the spectrum,
heavy-duty long-haul vehicles
should be scheduled for
alignment service at least once
every year.
Vocational vehicles create
a different scenario. Schutt
said alignment needs vary
depending on the terrain
and duty cycle intensity. " A
good rule of thumb is that the
more demanding the operating
environment, the more
often an alignment should be
performed, " he noted.
Hunter Engineering's Felt
said it's important to examine
the factors that may cause
wheel alignment to change.
Road conditions. Highway
surfaces are relatively easy
on heavy-duty vehicles since
they are relatively smooth
with no sharp turns. On the
other hand, two-lane blacktop
roads may be less smooth
and require more turning on
the front wheels. Then, city
roads present a mixed bag of
surface types, sharp turns,
and defects. Gravel roads are
inherently hard on suspension
and steering components.
Ride height (spring height)
changes. A vehicle carrying
heavy loads will have ride
height changes before a vehicle
carrying light loads. Those
changes may occur rapidly if
a vehicle is loaded to capacity.
Road defects. Potholes,
bumps, and dips often stress
the suspension and steering
components, causing alignment
angles to change.
" Vehicles used in harsh
conditions
will
require
BUILT TO GIVE YOU THE
FREEDOM TO MOVE
FleetMaintenance.com/Inquire
TO MOVE THE LOADS YOU NEED TO MOVE.
FREEDOM ON THE OPEN ROAD, OFF ROAD AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN.
The complete line of Freedom Heavy-Duty batteries is designed and built to deliver the
power your fleet needs to get work done. Freedom commercial batteries are engineered
and tested for extended life and consistent, superior performance.
Built by Clarios, a world leader in battery technology.
frequent wheel alignments, " Felt said. " Vehicles
driven primarily on highways may need wheel
alignment once or twice a year. The best advice
is to have the wheel alignment checked often
because one never knows when changes to
suspension and steering components occur. "
Alignment services can either help fleets save
money on tires or simply become another operating
expense. It all depends on whether an alignment
is needed, and whether the fleet is willing
to commit to accuracy. When all of those factors
are in alignment, bringing alignment services
in-house can be a really wise investment.
For related content, visit:
FleetMaintenance.com/equipment
VISIT FREEDOM-BATTERIES.COM
TO VIEW OUR COMPLETE LINE OF
HEAVY DUTY, AUTOMOTIVE AND
SPECIALTY BATTERIES.
http://www.FleetMaintenance.com/equipment http://www.FREEDOM-BATTERIES.COM http://www.FleetMaintenance.com/Inquire
July_2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July_2021
