5 Ways to Avoid Wheel End Detachment

Recent Wheel Separation Awareness

There's been a lot of attention on the U.S. supply chain, brake safety, and other relevant trucking topics, but there's also something that's been in headlines recently that hasn't gotten as much attention – wheel-end separation awareness.

Keeping all the wheels attached to your vehicle may not seem like something that requires special attention, but the "set it and forget it" mentality that's often applied to wheel-end components can come back to bite you and your business in the worst ways with unexpected costs, downtime, safety risks, and not to mention reputation.

According to recent statistics, wheels become detached from trucks at a rate of two-three per day, and that's a headline you do not want to be a part of. As part of the best practices for truck wheel and tire service, here are five tips to remember to keep all of your wheels (however many you're working with) rolling where they should be.

1. Adjusting Wheel Bearings Properly

If you've ever purchased wheel bearings, you know how many types of bearings there are on the market. These tiny but mighty components allow friction-free movement and rotation of the hub assembly, allowing for smooth tire and wheel movement. So it's absolutely critical for vehicle technicians to use the correct procedures according to TMC's "Wheel Bearing Adjustment Procedures," which suggests having a bearing end-play of anywhere between .001 in. and .005 in. for best results. This small amount of end play can make a big difference in keeping your rollers from making hard contact with the bearing races and avoiding extra heat and wear.

Proper end play and establishing wheel bearing installation and adjustment processes that are accurate and repeatable can help your fleet stay consistent and up-to-date with this critical part of your wheels – and don't forget to use that dial indicator to verify adjustments.

2. Using the Proper Fastener Torque

The main thing to know about applying torque to disc wheels is there is no cookie-cutter solution, and the right answer may be different for everyone. But one thing that's always right is that tighter does not mean better. When a wheel stud is given excessive torque, it's possible to stretch the stud past its yield point, which may lead to the joint having a low clamping force.

It's been said by industry experts that over-torquing is one of the most common mistakes. But it can be avoided by snugging the nuts and bringing them to their final torque with a calibrated torquing device.

3. Preparing Wheels and Hubs

When putting the wheels back on the truck, do you or your technicians take the time to remove grease, dirt, rust, or other possible contaminants? Having a buildup of foreign materials on the inner and/or outer wheels can cause extra thickness in the joint or cause the debris to settle or work its way out of the joint, which can lead to a loss of clamping force.

Rigorously cleaning contact areas and wheel studs with a wire brush to remove contaminants before mounting the wheels can significantly decrease nut torque issues.

4. Carefully Examining Previously Installed Components

Wheel end parts such as nuts, studs, and bearings can be re-used after a hub is serviced, right? Possibly, but with extreme caution. Studs and nuts can be re-used as long as no evidence of thread damage or over-torquing exists, but bearings should be carefully examined for drag on the rollers and the overall condition of the bearing assembly.

As long as wheel-end parts are thoroughly inspected, in good condition, and within spec, typically these parts can be put back on the wheel hub assembly, but extra care should be taken when making these decisions.

5. Enforcing Daily Inspections

Vehicle pre-and post-trip inspections are always recommended as best practices for catching wheel-end issues early on, and it should be emphasized that drivers and maintenance staff should be well-trained in keeping an eye out for:

• Lubricant loss
• Abnormal tire wear
• Hubcap window discoloration
• Missing oil caps
• Loose fasteners
• Wheel hubs that are hot vs warm to the touch

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