Western Star Truck Issues And Fixes

I get that, except your turning radius is limited, and your tire wear is probably less than half, because plus going empty to the job, you are empty going one way usually when you're hauling loads right?

 

We've been using them in the BC mountains for decades. They turn fine. Tire wear is negliable. Tires don't really last off in the dirt anyways.

 

Not mine. The blue one here is the 2013 we just sold and the black one is my new 2020.

 

It's all because of the stupid weight laws we have in Ontario that were designed by government people that know ZERO about trucks.

See how the axles are spaced on my dump? That has to be a self equalizing steer axle. I can get full gross of 63,500 KG or just about 140,000 pounds.

But if I had got a twin steer I cannot haul full gross with a trailer unless I have tri-drives.
Makes no sense.

So my friend was the first one here to get a logger like the one pictured but his is black. He went that way because a log truck and pony set up like my dump is too hard to legally scale the front axle.
So you're forced to dish out $360,000 and another $100,000 for the pony trailer.

He says it's not bad off road in winter except for if you are cresting a real sharp steep knoll empty. Then the front end weight takes weight off the tri-drives enough that even they will spin.

As far as steering he put a separate dump valve on one of the rear axles so he can dump the air out one to aid steering.

 

G'day all,
Couple of issues with my 2016 5700XE
I have coolant leaking somewhere from the upper portion of my expansion tank, I pressure tested the system, and it held pressure perfect for over 2 hours, I replaced the cap just in case, just got back from a 2800 mile run and I have spray once again on the top of the engine/radiator and under the hood, yet my coolant level hasn't dropped !!! very strange, no excessive temps even pulling hills... I can't find the #### leak anywhere.
Just noticed also an air leak from the main air line entering the firewall but not sure how to release the airline? Is there a special tool to get them to release or am I not pushing in hard enough to release? I figure it was a push the hose in/hold the collar and then pull out?
How the HELLLLLLL do I get the fuel tank/side fairings off without undoing a hundred nuts? am I missing something or is it a design flaw?
My tanks are only 100 gallon each and it kinda sucks, but worse still is that at about 30 or 40 gallons left in my off side tank, It's not transferring, I haven't climbed under yet, or removed the fairings to check a breather line (I'm assuming they have one and thats the issue) but has anyone had similar issues?
Thanks all.

 

I can only help you with one. Those push to connect fittings can be a bugger sometimes. But you are correct.....push the line in as hard as you can and push the collar all the way in. Then just try and wiggle line out.
Lots of people hate them, but I've always had pretty good luck with them as far as not having leaks.

Just make sure when you cut your line get it nice and straight and a clean cut.

Oh....sometimes I get an open end wrench that will just go over the air line.....and I use it to push the collar on the fitting.

 

There is a couple of lines coming off the compressor, one to top of engine, the other to block. Look at the clamps for leaks.

 

Cannot get the dang thing to release, tried the wrench trick, air is completely empty, but will not let go! Guess I'll have a real mechanic check it out for me... Thanks for your reply

 

Bummer. I have only had one I have ever had to cut off. I don't have any other tricks. Normally they eventually come with a little fight.

 

Mirrors. My 2013 had the cab mounted mirrors. Loved them, but the crome bubbles and peels off the plastic.
So on the 2020 went with the door mounted mirrors thinking they would be better, being metal shells.
Well already been replaced under warranty. This is pics of one of the NEW ones one after after I backed it out of dealer shop.

I think they need to find new mirror suppliers. These are made by Velvac.