How To: Disassembly PW F3 Truck?

[pgtr]

I've got a couple of postwar F3s (horizontal motors) at least one of which I need to disassemble and ensure no steel wool is in it and clean/lube tc... My Greenberg's guide doesn't really show how these come apart.

QUESTION 1:
On some I can gingerly 'lift' the screw drive out just barely but on others the riveted end plate (don't know the correct term) doesn't allow me to lift out the end bronze 'blocks' that act as bushings.

Am I correct in in presuming the two rivets need to be removed to disassembl? And new
rivets purchased/installed to reassemble?

QUESTION 2:
How are the wheels/axles disassembled/removed on later horizontal motor postwar F3s?

Appreciate the sanity check as usual!

[iguanaman3]

   In my Lionel service days I disassembled dozens of those trucks and have never had to remove the rivets. Just pull up a little harder on the opposite end. You can tap it back down when your done if the plate bends a little.  Believe it or not, there is supposed to be some play in those bearing blocks. They will bind if they are too tight.  All Lionel wheels, should be removed with a wheel puller but I have driven the axle out of the wheel with a punch too.  Never try and pry them off or you will bend the axle.

Neil

 

[daan]

I've had them apart and made a photojournal of it. It's here: http://communities.zeelandnet.nl/data/lionel/index.php?page=13&showpage=26255

scroll down for the english text. The only thing you have to use for disassambly is a screwdriver. The motor can be taken apart by removing the screws on the collectorside of the engine. The main bearing can be lubricated through a small hole on top of it, since the axle, rotor and collector stay in place. The motor can be taken away by removing the screws on the sides of the bearingcase from the motor. Then lift the motor upwards. The truck can now be taken away from the frame. On top of the truck there are some screws, remove them to get acces to the drive shaft and gears.

When removing the driveshaft make shure to put the bearings in like they came out, otherwise the play is too little and the truck won't run. I didn't remove the wheels from the axles, since tapping or knocking on the magnetraction axles can weaken the magnets. Just good cleaning and a bit of light oil did the trick in my F3.