How to Clean a Truck Wheel System
As trucks drive through dusty construction sites or other job sites that are rife with contaminants and mud, truck drivers must rely on a thorough wheel and tire cleaning system to avoid carrying contaminants from a site. Clean truck wheel systems last longer as well. Mud and cement can clog up the moving parts of the vehicle and cause early wear on all the parts.
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Instructions
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Raise the truck up on floor jacks in two steps. Plan to clean the front and back wheel systems separately to avoid serious injury by putting the truck up on four jacks at one time. Use a hydraulic lift if one is available for even better control over the stability of the truck when it's being lifted.
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Spray the entire wheel system with water through a high-pressure hose to knock off all the visible dirt. The wheel system consists of the tires, wheels, brakes, suspension units, axles and the drive shaft. Be careful not to spray too much water in the brake linings if you are planning to drive the truck shortly after washing it.
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Take the time to inspect the parts of the wheel system while you are under it. As the water drips off the parts, run your hand along the axles to make sure that all the parts are tight and there is no corrosion building up.
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Knock off rust build-up carefully with a rubber hammer to see if there is further damage to any of the parts. Use a wire brush to scrub off hard to move dirt, clumps of dried cement and rust. Spray the system again after working on the tough spots. Recheck the entire wheel system to make sure you got all the potentially damaging rust and chemicals off the wheels and attached parts.
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Lower the truck and wash the tires, outside wheels and hubcaps by hand with a sponge and heavy-duty soap. Spray rubber cleaner, such as Armor All on the tires and wipe off with a dry cloth. Polish chrome rims.
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Tips & Warnings
Save time and hassle by taking the truck to a truck wash that has special built-in undercarriage washing systems that clean out the wheel systems easily by running the truck through the wash. Polish the outside wheels later yourself.
Allow the truck to cool off for at least 30 minutes before getting underneath it to clean the undersides of the wheel system.
