Western Star Truck Issues And Fixes

Well, I'm not so sure I'm as dedicated as you fellas are, being I'm only a company driver, and only run a daycab. But I have to say, aside from the knick knack issues, I wouldn't want anything other than my Star. I've driven the Pete's, the Kenworth's and a few I wish I could forget. And by far, the Star is the best. Can't beat the ride, and it's just a comfortable truck.

Every once in a while, I'll jump in a Pete or a Freightshaker that we have just to realize how good life really is with what I run.

 

I agree rbrtwbstr. They have the nicest dash (because I love having every gauge imaginable), the ride, handling and quiet is awesome. And so is not having all multi-plexed wiring and modules like our Freightliners have. I only wish they used better quality materials and took some care putting them together.

 

Does anybody have a good fix for the AM/FM radio antenna? Mine is rattles quite a bit, so one night I wrapped it with electrical tape. Solved the issue, but looks like crap. Any ideas?

 

I can't help.....my radio works off the CB antennas on the mirrors. Only other antenna I have is for the Sirius sat radio on the roof.....which I also have a problem with. It constantly loses signal now.

 

Yours mounted on the passenger a-pillar?

Mine is, and when I would shut the truck off you could hear it rattle on that top plastic piece. I used one zip tie around the antenna and the bracket at an angle. No longer rattles.

 

Yep. Passenger a- pillar. I guess a cable tie would look a bit better. Thanks

 

So the other day I climb up to give my windshield a good cleaning and I noticed my driver side wiper arm was real loose. It still working ok and did not flop around when used but I knew it was coming apart.

Anyway, where the splined shaft passes through the cab, it actually seized and the hole thing was rotating with the two big nuts that are supposed to hold it tight to the cab.

Had to cut it in half to get it out. Never thought I'd ever see that on a truck that is just over 3 years old.

 

Knock on wood my rad has not gone yet, but we are on number 3 in the Coronado and have done the Sterling before it sold.
What gets me is all these vocational and off road spec Stars I keep seeing with aluminum rads, yet it says right in Star's data books "not approved for vocational use."
Is that how salespeople increase their profit? Spec the cheaper rad and charge you the same for the truck.

They did replace my fan when it was new. A factory rep was at my dealer and happened to notice it had the wrong fan for application installed from factory.

I likely need an alignment too. Mt steering wheel is slightly crooked now when going straight and I do have uneven tire wear. But in my application and with the air ride it is impossible to get good even tire wear anyway.

 

My new 4900 is at the dealership (finally) and almost ready to go, but now I'm wishing I could keep my current truck. I've been running more highway miles, and my current truck works very well on the big roads with the 3.36 ratio. The new one should be good too, but going from 3.36 to 3.70 ratio and from a 13 speed to a 10, is going to be an adjustment.

Hopefully that annoying rattle in the dash doesn't follow me to the new truck. And hopefully the new one will be as reliable as the current one