Magazine for the professional tire industry
Issue link: https://mtd.epubxp.com/i/762675
MTD December 2016 Heavy-duty alignment make precise camber and caster corrections on any size axle without removing them from the vehicle. Improper camber is the third leading cause of steer tire wear. Hunter: A proper alignment can significantly decrease tire costs and have a measurable impact on fuel costs. Oen, when an alignment is ordered, only the steer axle is aligned, but bringing the loaded drive and trailer tires into proper alignment will provide greater impact on tire life and fuel economy. Since properly aligning all three axles reduces pulling and driing, it can reduce driver fatigue and increase safety. Rav America: Alignment has been proven to have a powerful impact on tire life, especially where steering tires are concerned. Along with improper inflation practices it is perhaps the single most significant cause of premature tire wear. Proper alignment seings have been proven to reduce rolling resistance. Lower rolling resistance means longer tire life because there is less tire scrub or scuff. MTD: How can dealers use alignment service to retain customers, and what can they expect as far as profitability? Bee Line: Proper all-axle alignment starts with steering, suspension and frame component inspection. Seventy percent of the trucks on the road are misaligned. We already know that this affects driver comfort, fuel consumption, and tire wear. In order to build and retain custom- ers, you need to perform a proper total vehicle wheel alignment. According to the trucking industry's Technology and Maintenance Council's recommended practice (TMC RP642), the ideal value for the angle formed by the centerline of the vehicle frame and the direction that an axle points is 0 degrees. is is the Bee Line method. Proper alignment has a low cost of sale. A 3-axle alignment for around $200 takes about an hour. e parts cost is almost zero and the technician cost is only one hour. Aempts to correct alignment on a vehicle with worn or loose components are pointless. Sixty percent of trucks that need alignment have worn parts. e first step in a Bee Line alignment is suspension inspection. The parts and labor sales resulting from this initial inspection can surpass standard alignment revenue 2 to 1. Hunter: Newer Hunter alignment systems can perform a "QuickCheck" on a 3-axle truck in less than four minutes. ese checks can certainly add significantly to the boom line of the shop, especially when you consider that approximately 70% of trucks on the road need more accurate adjustment than older methods allow. ese alignment checks can also pin- point areas for further inspection. Oen when alignment is needed, there are suspension components that are suspect and are the cause of the misalignment. Repairing these failing parts while in for a PM (preventative maintenance) can reduce costly downtime for the operator. is is an additional revenue source for the shop. On the other hand, the printout gives the operator verifiable information on the direction of travel of each wheel as it relates to the truck. is way they Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 23119 48