Concerned About Mechanicals

As I go through the CDL Training Materials here, the things that trip me up are always the mechanical items. I do not have a mechanical background; for instance, I would be guessing if I had to point out the alternator. Will I be able to identify a leaky shock absorber? How will I know if the brakes look bad, if I don't know what good ones look like? I am planning to attend a state technical school in the fall, and assume that these things will be covered. I'm really handy, and I can learn, so I guess I'm looking for some moral support here. This really is the only area that concerns me.

As I go through the CDL Training Materials here, the things that trip me up are always the mechanical items. I do not have a mechanical background; for instance, I would be guessing if I had to point out the alternator. Will I be able to identify a leaky shock absorber? How will I know if the brakes look bad, if I don't know what good ones look like? I am planning to attend a state technical school in the fall, and assume that these things will be covered. I'm really handy, and I can learn, so I guess I'm looking for some moral support here. This really is the only area that concerns me.

Well, I sure don't have an answer but I can tell you I am in the same boat LOL.. I have been going through the training course on this site, and I am like 'What the heck is THAT?' on about everything. So I too hope they go over this stuff as if you have no knowledge. I figure if I practice the written part now & get that down pat, when I get to school I can then focus all my attention on the truck & learning it & learning to drive it- knowing I have the written learned (even if I don't know yet what the parts refer to- I know the answers! lol!) Good Luck to both of us!

Thanks, Dorian! It really helps to know that I am not the only one "in the dark" about some of the mechanicals. Btw, I'm a tree-hugger too.

Hi, lol..am on the same boat. But I have found that besides whats on the cdl manual, and to give myself a head start, I google a) parts of a rig's engine, brake system etc. You will be surprised how much info you can get. Good luck!!!!

Your school will teach you to do a thorough pretrip. All you are really required to know is if things are properly mounted and secured, no breaks, cracks and dry rot on belts. Im not mechanical in the least. You will be just fine. Dont sweat the small stuff.

Well. I'm very mechanically inclined...My dad was a mechanic, and I was his only "son".. .But I just went to www.youtube.com...and typed in pretrip inspection of a semi truck...theres a hug amount of video for that !!! When I know nothing about something, I learn best by watching it done, before I try doing it myself !!! so give that a try...it may help...and its free !!!! Maybe this is something that needs to get on the general forum...I"m surprised one of the newbies over there hasn't googled it up...Great to know women can still out thing the guys !!! but then, we all know they don't take directions well..

Uhhh.. that should read "out thinK the guys"......they are the ones with the "things"...

I think if you are interested, hang around the mechanics and just ask them what they're doing as you will soon find out, they love talking. i've learned a lot just hanging around them when they're fixing my car. and i'm pretty sure, if given the chance, the mechanics working on the semis wouldn't mind sharing some knowledge with you. sometimes, just knowing how it all comes together gives you a better peace of mind.

but like redgator mentioned, the school will teach you what you need to know so don't sweat the small stuff. you really can't tell if your brakes look bad without taking everything apart to see if it's the brake pad, the rotor, or something else. but, you can hear/feel it if your brakes isn't working properly, and then have someone look at it.

Deb, I also am not mechanically inclined but what I am learning is I don't need to BE the mechanic I just need to identify the issues. Redgator nails it when she says you will be taught. So much of what you learn will make more sense once you get in school and are more "hands on." I am just starting and just today the parts are starting to come a little more in focus as in they all don't look the same, haha. Seriously though you will get a chance to go over and over it and it really does have a bit of a flow and a LOT of it is repetitive so it starts to sink in with practice. I also stress to keep plugging away on this site with all the valuable information and support. Cheers to us treehuggers! ;-)

Trying to recognize the pieces and parts of a diesel engine LOOK daunting....But an engine is an engine...they all have the same pieces, as a rule. All you have to do is learn to recognize them, so you can see that they are in good condition, and safe. There are a few ways to study the Pre trip on this site..and there are even downloadable flash cards !!!! I'll try to find some links...but I"m tech stupid, so bear with me. I drive truck like a champ.....techy stuff.....not so much.