The Most Commonly Replaced Semi-Truck Parts

Even if you perform maintenance every day on your truck, some parts will break eventually. In fact, you may need to replace some parts more than others since they take on more wear and tear. Here are the most commonly replaced semi-truck parts to keep in mind.

Tires

When you drive your vehicle for thousands of miles, the road can easily damage your tires. Before you drive, make sure that you inspect your tires for signs of wear and tear. It is a lot simpler to change a tire before you leave instead of waiting until you are on the road. Although manufacturers produce strong, tough, and durable truck tires, they do not last forever. While truck tires do last longer than standard vehicle tires, they still need to be replaced regularly.

Brake Pads

Your brakes are one of the most important parts of your truck. To protect yourself and others, you need to inspect your brakes often. The brakes in large semi-trucks generally do not last as long as the ones in standard vehicles. Since semi-trucks are heavier than standard vehicles, it is more challenging for your brakes to stop the truck. For large, heavy-duty trucks, you will need to replace the breaks every three to five years. One of the best ways to extend the life of your brake pads is to drive carefully. Fast and frequent stops can easily damage your brakes, so it’s best to stop slowly and smoothly when possible.

Mirrors

Dirt, rocks, gravel, and other debris can easily scratch and crack your truck’s mirrors. Especially since truckers maneuver large semi-trucks, they need their mirrors to see their surroundings at all times. When dirt or debris scratches or damages your mirrors, it’s best to replace them with aftermarket commercial truck mirrors. With new mirrors, you will be able to see your surroundings clearly and drive safely to your next destination.

Clutch

A damaged clutch can make your ride very jerky or bumpy. Additionally, it can create wear and tear on other parts of your vehicle. Semi-truck clutches tend to wear out faster than the ones in standard vehicles, so it’s best to inspect the clutch if anything seems strange or unusual. With regular maintenance, a semi-truck clutch should last for 200,000 miles. However, this number will decrease if you tend to ride the clutch during your trips.

Headlights

If your headlights malfunction at night, you will not be able to drive until you receive replacements. You should replace flickering, dimming, or burnt-out headlights before you begin your journey. Before you replace the headlights, you should check and see if there are any issues with the relays, modules, or fuses. Sometimes, all you need to do is fix one of these small components instead of replacing the entire headlight.

To summarize, the most commonly replaced semi-truck parts are the headlights, clutch, mirrors, brake pads, and tires. So, the next time you notice that these parts aren’t working as they should, make sure you replace them as soon as possible to keep yourself and others safe.