What Might Be Causing Your Truck to Pull to One Side When on the Road
When operating a heavy-duty truck, you always want to ensure it's in good mechanical condition, as the added weight of the truck and your cargo can make it much harder to control even when all parts are working as they should. If you neglect the slightest problem with a heavy-duty truck, this can mean even more difficulty with steering, braking, and the like. If you notice that your heavy-duty truck seems to pull to one side of the road, there are a number of problems that could cause this; note a few of these here so you know where to start looking and ensure your truck is in good repair.
Tires
Tire inflation is vital to check for your truck, but beyond this obvious cause of pulling, note if any one tire seems to be worn unevenly. You might have a hard time noticing this wear unless you remove the tire and give it a through exam; cupping refers to wear down the center of the tire, and you might not notice this if the tire is still mounted to your truck. Uneven wear can also mean the rubber layers separating from the tire in certain spots; this too can be difficult to spot when the tire is still mounted. It may be a big job to remove all the tires of your truck and inspect them, but if one needs replacing, this can keep you safe on the road.
Brakes
A sticky brake caliper can keep one tire from moving as it should and, in turn, your truck will pull toward that tire. It's good to remove the tires that you feel pulling and have someone engage the brake pedal; note if the caliper opens when they let off the pedal. If not, you need a new brake caliper.
Alignment
Aligning your tires means more than just balancing them; you need to note if the tie rods of your truck are bent; these are the rods that attach the tires to the steering column. These can also be out of alignment; if they don't run in a straight line or bend at the same angle away from the steering column, your tires will be out of alignment. A bent axle can also pull tires out of alignment, as can a bent tire rim. If you've recently had your tires mounted and balanced and don't think you need an alignment, check these other parts to note if they need replacing or repair to keep your tires straight.