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Lionel F3 has loose wheels. Can I replace just the wheels, or shafts too?

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  • Member since
    December 2009
  • 108 posts
Lionel F3 has loose wheels. Can I replace just the wheels, or shafts too?
Posted by Fordiesel69 on Thursday, January 7, 2010 4:47 PM

I am trying to bring my old postwar 2333 NYC F3 back to 100%.  I noticed it has been operated a while with 2 loose wheels.  I was reading on the old prewar trucks, you could score the shafts with a cold chisel or giant nippers and press the wheel back on.  I suspect my shafts are the hard type, and that when the wheel becomes loose, the acutal wheel is soft so therefor it wears out instead of the shaft.  Am I correct in my thinking?

If and when I install the 2 new wheels, should I apply red loctite to them to prevent them from loosening in the future?

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Hopewell, NY
  • 3,233 posts
Posted by ADCX Rob on Thursday, January 7, 2010 9:42 PM

 You can probably get away with another 60 years using a LockTite type product with your current wheels if they are still true, and treating the axles as you described... just go easy.  I've done several steamers with CA(super glue).

Rob

Rob

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Saint James, Long Island, NY
  • 666 posts
Posted by msacco on Friday, January 8, 2010 8:21 PM

Ditto  what Rob said. I've used CA glue (like Zap a Gap) etc. to take care of this. I've one repair over 10  years on a prewar loco and not a problem. Have also done others.

Mike S.

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