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Standard Gauge 380E wheel removal?? Need help!

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Standard Gauge 380E wheel removal?? Need help!
Posted by lionel2 on Thursday, January 14, 2010 9:05 PM

Hello,  I have a 380E has some messed up wheels.  As it turns out, one of the geared wheels is stripped.  How do you replace all 4 of the drive wheels??  Can I take off the wheels without taking it all apart??  Thanks.

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Posted by lionel2 on Thursday, January 14, 2010 9:32 PM

Should I just replace the gears or the wheels?  The wheels are in good shape, but not the big gear.  What is the correct part number for the big gear??  thanks.

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Posted by lionel2 on Friday, January 15, 2010 3:03 PM

Ok, I ordered all the parts I need.  Now, all I have to do is get it all back together.  I ordered a set of 4 wheels, 2 axles, and 2 gears that go onto the 2 wheels.  My question is: How do you put it all back onto the motor housing??  Do I have to use a clamp and clamp it together?  This is my first time replacing the wheels on a standard loco.  I got it all apart, I guess that was the hard part.  Now, just gotta do the reverse and put it together.  Any info will help!!  Thanks.

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  • From: Austin, TX
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Posted by lionelsoni on Friday, January 15, 2010 4:47 PM

I press wheels onto axles with a large bench vise.  I remove the jaw liners and screw in some (metric) screws that fit the holes.  One screw has a simple hex head.  The other has the head cut off and the end filed down to a diameter slightly smaller than the locomotive axle's.  With these I can push a wheel hub onto an axle without disturbing the wheel that might already be on the other end of the axle.

Pushing at the hub like this avoids any risk of breaking a wheel.  But it exposes you to the possibility that the wheel may not be perfectly perpendicular to the axle.  I check this frequently and adjust my pushing point on the hub to correct any developing error.

Bob Nelson

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Posted by lionel2 on Friday, January 15, 2010 4:59 PM

Could I use some small clamps to secure the wheels to the axles??  I want my wheels to roll nice and smooth, with no wobble.  Is it easy to break a wheel?  I just want to do this the best way possible.  Thanks.

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  • From: Austin, TX
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Posted by lionelsoni on Friday, January 15, 2010 5:06 PM

Do you mean a C clamp?  Yes, but you would have to press on both hubs simultaneously at some point, which could easily leave you with too much axle inside one hub and therefore not enough inside the other.

Bob Nelson

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Posted by lionel2 on Friday, January 15, 2010 5:41 PM

Yes, C clamp. That is correct.  Oh I see.  So, what is the best way to do it?  How did lionel do it?  Man, this getting complicated.  Umm. 

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Posted by lionelsoni on Friday, January 15, 2010 7:29 PM

Lionel (and their service stations) had cups that were made to fit the individual wheel types:  http://www.toytrainrevue.com/service.htm

The best way I know (short of cups) is the one I described.

Bob Nelson

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Posted by lionel2 on Saturday, January 16, 2010 12:06 AM

How do you attach the gear to the wheel??  Do you have to peen it onto the wheel??  What tool is good for doing this?  Thanks.

Dub
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  • From: Seacoast, New Hampshire
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Posted by Dub on Saturday, January 16, 2010 7:11 PM

A simple pin punch should do it

Use something  to cover the wheels when you press them together. A large washer works for me. I use a large press. For casts wheel I have slightly filed them with a round file to start it all. I have the ability to apply a lot of pressure so if the axle is stubborn I will file slightly and retry. My 248 was done this way. It took time and patience.

My hats off to the service agents. It was something I wouldn't want to do with someone elses engine.

Bob
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Posted by lionel2 on Saturday, January 16, 2010 8:43 PM

Ok, Update.  I got the gears on the wheels.  And I got the wheels onto the motor housing.  I am all done.  Got it all back together and now I am done.  Works great now.  I am surprised I did such a good job.  Not the best, but there is no wobble or grinding gears.  Might have to rewire the headlights at another time down the road.  The wires are brittle for the headlights.  Thanks for all the help.

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