3 Signs It's Time To Align Your Semi Tires

Truck alignment is a maintenance task that many fleets put off until it's too late. Driving a semi while it's out of alignment reduces its fuel efficiency and increases the likelihood of an accident. Fortunately, there are a few warning signs that can tip you off about an alignment problem if you know what to look for. Here are three signs that a semi truck is in need of alignment.

1. Tire Wear

Uneven tread wear is a well-known symptom of tire misalignment in passenger vehicles. Misaligned tires often wear more quickly on the outer edge than on the inner edge, creating a characteristic wear pattern called feathering.

A semi that is out of alignment will experience tire wear that is similar but more drastic. The feathering pattern is especially likely to appear on the drive tires. Drivers with dual tires may notice that the tires on the outside are wearing more quickly while the inner ones appear in good condition. Less commonly, dual truck tires with negative camber may experience accelerated wear on the inner tire instead.

In some cases, tire wear from misalignment may present itself in ways other than worn treads. You will want to keep an eye on your sidewalls so you can schedule repairs if you notice any cuts, grooves, or cracks. Frequent flats may also be caused by tire misalignment, especially if they are mostly from one side or tire position.

2. Changes in Handling

Subtle changes in the way your semi handles on the road could actually be warning you about an alignment problem. Since misaligned tires often wear more quickly on one side, your truck may begin to pull toward the side that is more worn. This problem will gradually worsen if your alignment isn't repaired, and working against a pull while you drive is an unsafe distraction.

Even if your vehicle isn't pulling while you drive yet, you may be able to identify the beginning of an alignment problem by looking at your steering wheel. When you are driving perfectly straight, the steering wheel should be in a neutral position. If the steering wheel is angled to either side, it indicates that the steering system is compensating for imperfect tire alignment.

How smoothly your semi drives is entirely dependent on the health of your tires. Tire wear can create hills and valleys in your treads that can cause noticeable vibration while you drive. Vibration caused by this type of wear may start primarily in the steering wheel and expand to the entire cab as the problem worsens. You may also notice that excessive vibration from tire wear intensifies as you speed up.

3. Strange Noises While Driving

When it comes to diagnosing problems with your truck, what you can hear is just as important as what you can see. The first place you might notice an unusual noise is in the steering wheel. Tire misalignment increases the friction that your steering system must work to overcome, so you may hear a grinding noise as you try to turn your wheels.

In other cases, misalignment may cause noise from your tires directly. Since misaligned tires are essentially scrubbing sideways against the road while you drive, they may create a high-pitched screeching noise as the treads scrape the asphalt. Screeching noises from misaligned tires will typically be worse when making tight turns.

With much longer travel times between destinations, damage from tire misalignment can build up much more quickly in semi trucks than in passenger vehicles. Remember these tips so you can avoid being caught off-guard by sudden blowouts and other problems caused by misaligned tires.

If you need commercial truck alignments, contact a local mechanic.