Advice for a clueless n00b

[Tanya]

I would like to learn more about the care and maintenance of trucks and trailers. Do you guys have any resources on this forum that you can recommend? Maybe a really great book or web site.

[ralph]

Useing a grease gun w/grease is probably the cheapest maintenance that can be performed. It takes little time to throw on a set of coveralls and slide around on a piece of cardboard and hit grease fittings. (Sorry, can't find a schematic right now) While you are at it, split the tractor and trailer and grease the 5th wheel, you will find the truck will steer much better after that. (Be sure to check your coupling with a flash light) A GOOD QUALITY tire pressure guage should be mandatory in a tool box. Keep it wrapped so it doesn't get bounced around and lose it's calibration.

If you have satellite radio there's a show on every Tuesday @ 10 am Eastern time. They have some great guests on the show if you can block out the majority of the stoopid truck driver questions. http://www.truckline.com/Federation/Councils/TMC/Pages/default.aspx

[bikerboy]

usually takes me close to an hour to grease just a tractor, and sometimes two tubes of grease, every moving joint on the front steering has a grease fitting, and each wheel has two fittings on the brakes parts as well, and don't forget all the U joints and the clutch release bearing, also the front springs have 3 grease nipples,and usually rear srings do too.

some trucks are a major PIA to grease the rear driveshaft, since you have to crawl and squeeze under the rubber block or spring ride suspenion walking beam, or else squeeze between the axle housing and the ground.

air ride is much easier to get under.

[Tanya]

I was looking more for things to read. I am not a big fan of radio shows and I do not get satellite radio. Thanks for the greasing tips but now I need a schematic or a diagram explaining all the different parts of a truck and what they do. If you happen to know of a resource like that, that would be great. Tutorials would be nice too.

[Mr Bee]

Check out some maintenance manuals. You might find some on line. I'm sure the various OEM's have published PDF files.

As Ralph said, grease. It is your cheapest maintenance. While greasing a truck it's a great opportunity to have a look around. This gives you a chance to identify and fix small problems before become larger problems. Don't be afraid to ask questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question.

Some of the things to look for are loose or broken hose and wire clamp, chafing air lines and liquid leaks.

Also Tanya, don't consider yourself a "clueless n00b". Your question shows us a person that wants to better yourself. I tip my hat.

[hotshoe36]

Your question shows us a person that wants to better yourself. I tip my hat.

What he said. Go to a dealer of the truck you are operating and find a diagram of all the points to grease. Do not overgrease: Less grease, more often, is better than more grease, less often. Do the whole chassis every 4000 km, and only the universal joints, 5th wheels and kingpins every 2000 km, is my advice. That will be enough for a highway operation.

[Highway Flyer]

I had a columbia & this is where i started out it's for freightliner/sterling/western star trucks https://secure.freightliner.com/newbulletins/techmanuals/internetdocs/internettest.asp but you cant beat the advice that a driver has learnd over time, also a rule of thumb (if it moves in any which way shape or form, and its suppose to move greese it) i usally greesed my truck every end of my cycle in my log when i ran the 7 day cycle

[Pipeman]

[QUOTE=bikerboy;23569]and each wheel has two fittings on the brakes parts as well,

QUOTE] 2 ???? How about the slack adjuster, the cam bushing at the slack adjuster end and the cam bushing at the hub end. = 3

Sure hope you start getting all 3.