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1 2 total vehicle alignment A guide created By: TBS Factoring service

2 TBS Factoring Service 2 total vehicle alignment...created by tbs factoring service TBS Factoring Service, LLC is a leading provider of freight-bill factoring to growth-oriented companies in the transportation industry. Founded in 2004, the Oklahoma City-based company currently serves nearly 4,000 clients nationwide with simple and flexible cash-flow solutions. TBS Factoring is a key part of a family owned, one-stop shop for independent trucking services that also includes Truckers Bookkeeping Service, formed in 1968 to provide independent truckers with permitting, DOT compliance and fuel tax reporting services, and TBS Insurance Agency, founded in 1998 to provide truck insurance nationwide. In 2013, TBS Capital Funding joined the TBS Family, expanding our service offering to include general factoring. In 2015, Elite Dispatch Service was formed to provide logistics services for motor carriers nationwide. The TBS family ownership group has more than 50 years of experience serving independent truckers. Our clients receive outstanding service from a seasoned and dependable staff. TBS Factoring Service is among the most highly regarded freight-factoring companies in the USA. let's be friends

3 Table of Contents table of contents Bumper to Bumper: Total Vehicle Alignment...1 Chapter 1: It s Hip to be Square...2 Chapter 2: Consequences...3 Chapter 3: Impact on the Driver...5 Chapter 4: Alignment Providers: What You Should Know TBS Factoring Service, LLC

4 Bumper to Bumper: Total Vehicle Alignment r2 Total Vehicle Alignment You can tell a lot about mechanics by the way they take care of their tools and your rig may be the most expensive tool you ll ever own. Staying roadworthy is more than just a good business practice; your livelihood depends on it. We have created this series of free handy reference guides to help you keep your rig revved and ready to make you money from to. They say: What goes around comes around. But when it comes to truck tires, the trick is getting what goes around to stay around as long as possible. Tires are a major expense item. In Issue #2 we looked at tires and how they affect fuel consumption. In this issue we focus on how the rubber meets the road, and offer you ways to eliminate unnecessary tread wear. Safe travels! alignment issues Among the major issues that occur as a consequence of alignment issues are: Pulling. This is typically caused by drive axle misalignment, a twisted frame or steering gearbox problems. Road wander. This is generally caused by toe-out, steering linkage problems or loose rear suspension components. 1

Chapter #1 It s Hip to Be Square it's hip to be square Research has shown that total vehicle alignment maintenance and inspection programs can pay dividends in extended tire wear for increased tire

5 Chapter #1 It s Hip to Be Square it's hip to be square Research has shown that total vehicle alignment maintenance and inspection programs can pay dividends in extended tire wear for increased tire mileage, enhanced fuel economy, decreased component wear, greater uptime, improved driver comfort and safer vehicles. Nevertheless, industry estimates show that 70 to 80 percent of Class 8 trucks on the road today have alignment problems. A vehicle not in proper alignment affects every aspect of operating costs per mile. The reason being vehicle alignment settings serve a variety of functions in vehicle operation and affect such things as handling, steerability, stability, performance and safety. It can be said that a vehicle is a composite with the chassis as the foundation. This foundation must be square and solid to support the dynamics of the complete structure. The chassis includes every wheel, axle, suspension component and frame member, and all should be aligned in relation to one another as a whole, instead of only one wheel or one axle independently. When a vehicle is in total alignment, all wheels agree on one direction so there are no lateral forces to counteract. Often, the difference between a good truck and a bad truck is simply one that handles well due to proper alignment. alignment issues Feathered tire wear. This is a condition where tread ribs or blocks are worn such that one side is higher than the other, resulting in step-offs across the tread face. Feathered tire wear is commonly caused by drive axle misalignment or by toe. Toe. This is the difference in distance apart at the front and at the rear of the steering axle tires when viewed from directly above the truck. Toe-in exists when the tires are closer together in the front than in the rear. A toe-out condition exists when the tires are closer together in the rear than in the front. Toe settings generally have the greatest effect on truck tire treadwear. 2

Chapter #2 Consequences consequences With improper vehicle alignment, the two largest maintenance expenditures tires and fuel will suffer the most.

6 Chapter #2 Consequences consequences With improper vehicle alignment, the two largest maintenance expenditures tires and fuel will suffer the most. On an improperly aligned vehicle, the tires will scrub across the pavement, increasing rolling resistance. Because of the lateral forces, not only is more horsepower required to move the same load (which directly impacts fuel consumption), but tire life is reduced, resulting in more frequent tire replacement. As previously noted, toe is the number one cause of irregular tire wear. Maintaining an optimal toe setting prevents inside or outside tire wear, depending if the toe is positive or negative. Tracking is another leading cause. It is important that all axles are aligned with the truck s front axles. Misalignment of drive and trailer axles causes excessive treadwear on the leading edge of the steer, drive and trailer tires. alignment issues Cupping tire wear. This is localized, dished-out areas of wear that create a scalloped appearance, usually around the edge of the tread on one side or the other. The common causes of this condition are worn or damaged suspension components; out of balance wheels; mismounted tires or rims; bent rims; and a tall tire/short tire combination. Vibrations. Vibrations are typically caused by driveline issues, loose bearings, out-of-round tires, balance issues or toe or drive axle misalignment. Misalignment conditions can often lead to higher-than-normal vibration levels in the steering wheel and/or the operator s seat. 3

7 Chapter #2 Consequences consequences (continued...) Camber is a principal source of steer tire wear. Camber is the tilt of the top of a tire as seen in a front view of the truck. Positive camber exists when the tire is tilted outward at the top and is closer together at the bottom (point of road contact). Negative camber exists when the tires are closer together (tilted inward) at the top. Positive camber causes premature treadwear along the tire s outside shoulder. Negative camber wears away at the inside shoulder of the tire. In a tractor-trailer combination, the drive tires traditionally experience positive camber, while the trailer tires are in negative camber. Caster is an additional setting important to complete vehicle alignment. It is generally associated with handling problems and driveability of the vehicle, and not tire wear problems. The caster angle identifies the forward or backward slope of a line drawn through the upper and lower steering pivot points when viewed directly from the side of the vehicle. Positive caster is when the pivot axis is tilted backward (the top pivot is positioned farther rearward than the bottom pivot). Negative caster would be a corresponding tilt forward at the top. Too little caster will cause unstable steering, require constant steering corrections and cause the failure of the vehicle to return to straight ahead out of a turn. Too much caster causes hard steering, shimmy and road shock. V i b r at i o n What's causing it? 1-40 mph: Tires Out of Round mph: Toe-Out or Toe-In Condition mph: Tire, Rim or Drum Out of Balance 4

8 Chapter #3 Impact on the Driver impact on the driver Improper vehicle alignment also has an impact on the driver. When a vehicle is not in alignment, the driver will be constantly correcting the steering. What s more, the higherthan-normal vibration levels can cause an uncomfortable ride that contributes to driver discomfort, muscular fatigue and stress. Eventually, drivers get tired and frustrated and will be less effective and productive. Furthermore, driver fatigue caused by continuously correcting for poor alignment can affect the driver s attitude. Poor handling vehicles are a reason for a driver to start looking for another company to work for. Check out this series of instructional videos by alignment specialist Mike Beckett demonstrating tire wear and handling problems caused by improper alignment: Part 1: Feathered Wear / Toe Part 2: Cupping Wear / Pulling / Vibration Part 3: Check Alignments 5

Chapter #4 Alignment Providers: What You Should Know alignment providers: what you should know When considering using a commercial alignment shop, always evaluate the provider s ability to perform an

9 Chapter #4 Alignment Providers: What You Should Know alignment providers: what you should know When considering using a commercial alignment shop, always evaluate the provider s ability to perform an accurate total vehicle alignment, says the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), North America s premier technical society for truck equipment technology and maintenance professionals. The evaluation should include checking a vehicle alignment provider s reputation. TMC recommends doing this by: Asking maintenance shops and truck operators who they use and why. Getting references and checking them out. Asking truck dealers where they send their vehicles for alignments and why. fmcsa research The U.S. Department of Transportation s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration conducted a study to identify the impacts that misalignment of commercial motor vehicles tractors, trailers and tractor trailer combinations have on the general safety, performance and functional aspects of their operation. The research also identifies potential technical solutions and areas of research related to aligning commercial vehicles under dynamic conditions in order to reduce negative consequences of misalignment. The study can be found online here. 6

10 Chapter #4 Alignment Providers: What You Should Know alignment providers: what you should know (continued...) Additionally, TMC encourages looking for providers that: Have ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) certifications. Offer services that often go hand-in-hand with alignment, such as vibration analysis, balancing, truing, and suspension and spring services. Make available value-added services like centering the steering wheel, tire rotation, and vehicle pickup and delivery. Select an alignment provider that wants to be a partner, TMC says. The provider should be willing to develop customized specifications for one s particular operation. be attentive Good inspection of tires for early stage irregular wear an indicator of alignment problems ought to be a part of any regular preventative maintenance practice. A procedure for reading Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports should already be in place. Look for any indications of handling issues, as this is also a sign of possible alignment issues. The more successful truck operators have dedicated alignment programs for all power units and trailers as vehicle alignment will change with vehicle use and time. Such programs enable the correction of any adverse changes in the vehicle geometry and help maintain effective cost per mile expenditures for both fuel and tires. RECOMMENDED ALIGNMENT PRACTICES The Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), a technical council within the American Trucking Associations that works to improve transport equipment, its maintenance and maintenance management, has developed guidelines on total vehicle alignment. The manual, ATA s TMC Guidelines for Total Vehicle Alignment, can be used to maximize tire tread life and minimize total tire-related expenses on Class 7 and 8 commercial vehicles. The manual can be ordered from TMC by phone at (866) or on the web. 7

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steps, handles & deck plates

2 steps, handles & deck plates bumper bumper A guide created By: TBS Factoring service TBS Factoring Service r2 steps, handles & deck plates bumper bumper...created by tbs factoring service TBS Factoring