Semi-trucks are the draft horses of the modern era. A lot of the freight transport within the continental US is done by truck. These trucks can travel hundreds of miles in a day. Many are on the road for ten hours every day. ​At Heavy Equipment Repair Services Charleston, we have the following services for semi-trucks.

• Brake Repairs, including drum and pad replacement
• Doors including curtain and rolling
• Flooring
• King Pins
• Liftgate installation, repairs, and maintenance
• Tire repair and replacement, including retreading and regrooving
• Refrigerator unit maintenance and repair
• Body component repair and replacement including cyclist protection bumpers, wing flaps, and bumpers
• Suspension and rolling gear repair and replacement, including suspension valve and cushion suspension
• Electrical equipment replacement and repair, including the waterproof box, socket, lamp, and lights
• Pneumatic element repair or replacement, including air hoses and brake hand valves

​In order to maintain their performance level, these trucks need some serious regular maintenance. A good preventive maintenance schedule helps prevent random breakdowns on the interstate. ​Regular inspections are also advised with a particular focus on:
​

• Brakes
• Electrical systems
• Refrigerated trailers
• Tires

Electrical System

Sometimes, a semi-truck might:

• Completely fail to start
• Make clicking sounds during ignition
• Produce unusual smells as engine starts
• Have dim lights. They may also just flicker

 
These are all signs of an electrical failure. The culprits could be: 

• A dead battery
• A broken starter motor
• Corrosion of the battery terminals and connections

Brakes 

30% of semi-truck accidents are caused by brake failure. Semi-truck are heavy vehicles. They have a lot of momentum so stopping them is never easy. You can’t just step on the brakes and expect the vehicle to stop immediately. You have to slow down first.
 
Even without the enormous operational pressures, there are a lot of other things that degrade a semi-truck’s braking system: 

• Air leaks
• Corrosion
• Wear and tear
• Water contamination 

Engine

The engine is the most important part of any vehicle. It’s the heart of the machine. You should always be on the lookout for signs of trouble.
 
Semi-trucks, like most heavy-duty vehicles, use diesel engines because of their reliability, low fuel consumption, and the ability to generate high torque at low speeds compared to gasoline engines.
 
Telltale signs of a malfunctioning engine:

• Worse fuel economy
• Reduced power output

 
Both are signs of reduced engine efficiency and should spur you to have your engine checked.

Tires

In a semi-truck, few parts take as much punishment as the tires. Little wonder tire issues are the leading cause of roadside breakdowns.

Some common tire sins:

• Underinflation
• Not changing worn-out tires
• Axle misalignment

 
These in turn cause:

• Tire sidewalls to overheat
• Punctures
• Higher rates of wear and tear 

Refrigerated Trailers 

You wouldn’t want a reefer unit breaking down on you. That could be one expensive breakdown if you can’t get it fixed on time. And an extremely stinky one too if you’re carrying cargo like fish or meat and it all goes bad.
 
The best way to avoid such a disastrous occurrence is to have your reefer unit regularly serviced. With proper maintenance, problems tend to be small and easily fixable instead of ballooning into giant catastrophic ones.

Semi Truck Maintenance

With regular maintenance, your semi-truck can keep running in near-mint condition for a lot longer. Breakdowns will be rarer and when they do happen, they’ll be due to minor easily fixable issues or accidents instead of systemic and catastrophic issues.
 
We have a meticulous maintenance process that involves all of the following: 

• Windshield wiper system inspection
• Undercarriage and frame inspection
• Radiator inspection
• Transmission mounts inspection
• Oil pressure check
• Leak inspection of the water pump
• Body, glass, and mirrors
• Engine oil and filter changes
• Wheels and rims inspection
• Alternator wiring inspection
• Engine temperature range inspection
• Cooling system inspection
• CV joints inspection
• Seat belts and seat structure inspection
• Electrical system components inspection
• Inspection of the radiator heater core, hoses, and lines
• Steering and suspension system inspection
• Exhaust system inspection
• Fluid leaks inspection
• Wear and tear inspection of the belts
• Tune-ups

• Engine inspection
• Exterior and interior lights inspection
• The inspection of belts and hoses
• Checking battery cables for proper connectivity
• Inspection of all fluids: engine oil, coolants, hydraulics, transmission fluid, etc.
• Fuel vent inspection
• Horn inspection
• Driveshafts inspection
• Fuel filter and system check
• Braking system inspection
• Corrosion checks on the radiator
• Coolant system pressure test
• Cooling coil inspection
• Transmission fluid check
• Checking the coolant for purity and changing it out
• Air conditioning inspection
• Corrosion checks on the battery terminals
• Tire inspection
• Inspection of auxiliary systems 

​Maintenance and Repairs

Our team of mechanics at Heavy Equipment Repair Services Charleston is the best in the business.  They’re highly trained, vastly experienced, and certified by countless machinery manufacturers. We service, repair, and replace worn-out parts on semi-trucks. We focus on high-quality service in a speedy time frame because we know your semi belongs on the road. Not in the shop.
 
Click Here to ask us anything about semi-truck maintenance and repair.

​Contact​

Click Here to contact us. We install, service, and repair HVAC systems on all kinds of buildings and machinery.  

Heavy Equipment Repair Services Charleston

Phone: 843-905-2441
Email: info@heavyequipmentrepairscharleston.com