Where to get K-Line S2 motor assembly?

[trainbrain]

I need a K-Line S2 motor truck assembly. The middle gear out of the five on the truck won't engage the adjoining gears when spinning. The motor is good and the wheel gears spin but for some reason the middle gear doesn't engage. It doesn't appear stripped but loose enough where is doesn't engage. Any ideas where I can get one? Probably a junker, huh?

Thanks- Brian

[brianel027]

Trainbrain, you shouldn't have to get an enitre motor assembly, unless you are uncomfortable making a repair. The gear set for that loco is the same one used in the K-Line Alco FA, the Budd Car and I believe the MP-15 also. Parts for those earlier K-Line locos may still be available from some parts dealers.

Just some thoughts for troubleshooting.... If the gear on your loco isn't stripped, then the problem may be the contact, or the molded pin on which the gear is mounted might be broke. Are the wheel sets loose with wobble? Maybe tightening these up will solve your problem. Also is the gear off the motor making good contact with the spur gear? There are two screws holding the motor in place in the motor box housing. If one of those screws is missing, that could be a problem.

Lionel took control of K-Line's prior parts inventory and those parts are absolutely in that group. I've heard that David Trains was one of the dealers that Lionel was going to distribnute the older K-Line parts to. Whether that has happened I haven't heard. Given that Lionel is now remaking the K-Line Alco FA and the S-2 under the Lionel banner, those parts may be available from them in the future. I have a lot of these locos (some close to 16 years old) and haven't had much trouble with them, but I do baby them and maintain them well.

You could of course, buy another S-2 and replace the truck. You could buy another S-2 and hang one to the one you have for additional parts. If I remember correctly, the main gear off the motor isn't the same, but Lionel gears off one of their similar type locos will work for the gears that come in contact with the geared wheels. Also the motor is made by Mabuchi and both Lionel and K-Line used the same motor in their truck mounted DC motored locos.

[trainbrain]

Thanks Brianel027. I was hoping you'd respond. The gears don't appear stripped, the motor gear engages fine and the motor screws are tight. The problem is the middle gear between the two wheels is wobbly and doesn't engage the two adjoining gears. The adjoining gears do engage the wheel gears. Moving the wheel gears with my thumb will turn these gears except the middle one. So that we know the middle gear seems loose, how is this tightened? It looks more like a rivet than a screw.

Much Thanks,

Brian 

[brianel027]

http://www.lionel.com/Products/ProductNavigator/_ServiceDocuments/4857_combo.pdf

Trainbrain, here's a link to a similar Lionel product. You'll need Acrobat Reader to view the document... the PDF will open very small... used the percentage window above the illustration to make it larger so you can actually see the illustration.

Bear in mind, the parts are not all precisely identical as to use Lionel parts on the K-Line loco.... some can be used but some can't. But it'll give you an idea of what's going on. the assembly of the two powered loco trucks are close enough that this will give you some clarity.

The gear you are talking about is the "cluster gear" and it is held in place with a pal nut to a molded center pin on what Lionel calls the "truck frame." Maybe you're missing the pal nut? The Lionel cluster gear is not the same as the K-Line one, although the 2 drive gears are compatible. I haven't tried it, but I would imagine the pal nut is compatible between these Lionel and K-Line motor truck assemblies.

Just curious... have you owned this loco since it was factory new, or did you purchase it as an aftermarket item (used on eBay for example)? The only time I've ever had a problem with a K-Line product is when I have purchased them used... and even then the problems were easily corrected. The pal nut holds the cluster gear in place so that it makes good contact with the drive gears, which come into contact with the geared metal locomotive wheels.

At any rate, hope this helps. The Lionel PDF will give you a pretty good idea how your K-Line motor truck is assembled without having to pull it apart.

[ChiefEagles]

Clean shaft real good, seat gear, if slipping, pull gear back, super glue and push back on.  Let glue setup.  Works a lot of times. 

[trainbrain]

Brianel027 and Chief- Thanks

I've had it new from Charles Ro since it came out.  I think what I'll do is wait for the new Lionel ones to come out and just swap shells. I can't tell exactly why the cluster gear won't engage other than just being loosey. All the nuts, etc. are there.  It just seems too loose.

Thanks Again-

Brian

[otftch]

Sometimes a small washer about half the size of the gear will stop the wobble.Check the shaft and make sure it is not worn down from lack of lubricant.Put the gear in place and then the washer and palnut.the washer will stop the wobble.I always keep enough oil on the shaft to make it look wet.I ruined a couple of these type locos before I kept the shafts oiled well.No problems since.Just make sure the oil gets on the shaft.

                                                            Ed