Hi guys,
How hard is it to tighten up the control lever on a RW? Mine has 3/16th" of slop. Kind of afraid to tear into it because it is my main transformer. I looked at the Greenburg repair manual but the break down is kind of lame.
Tks,
Kev
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
It depends on where the slop is. If the fibre washers and contact arm and link are loose on the voltage control shaft, the end of the shaft may need to be peened over more. If all the parts are tight on the shaft, but there still is a noticeable lag when you turn the shaft, more than likely the square hole in the R-82 fibre washer is worn and is sloppy on the voltage control shaft. The shaft could also be worn. To replace any items, the bearing plate needs to come off. When peening over the end of the shaft, you MUST support the shaft properly, or you will crack/break it, as it is a brittle casting.
Larry
Kev,
This seems to be a common problem for RWs. Both of the ones that I restored had the stud loose when I got them. As Larry said, remove the bearing plate and support the shaft before peening it with a ballpeen hammer. I used a socket that was large enough to fit over the stud while the base of the stud rested on the the socket so that it didn't break. Go easy because it doesn't take much to tighten the stud again.
Thanks Larry and Jim. Guess I will give it a shot.
Kev.
I sent my RW out to be repaired. When it came back, the shaft was so tight it was rough to turn. After a bit it loosened up and the shaft got sloppy like was mentioned here. I doubt its worth fooling with again. I just use it as is.
Roger
Trian Rat I sent my RW out to be repaired. When it came back, the shaft was so tight it was rough to turn. After a bit it loosened up and the shaft got sloppy like was mentioned here. I doubt its worth fooling with again. I just use it as is. Roger
I wonder whether your service person replaced the control shaft. For a while, most of the replacement control shafts that were on the market were too soft. They would start out nice and tight right after the repair, then loosen up rather quickly. I have a few in my parts bin. I won't use them, they are worthless. The last time I purchased replacement shafts, they seemed to be better quality.
Can I ask how the lever comes off my seems to be stuck on the shaft and I don't wanr to break it.
I stick two knives under the lever and twist both handles away from each other to lift the lever from the stud.
Thanks Jimmy T.
It worked. Looking at it I would say I need parts. Could use a BEARING PLATE ASSEMBLY or at least the control shaft, lower fibre washer, and contact arm.
So I cleaned the horn contacts and put the shell back on. Realy would like to get a nice ZW but don't have the funds right now.
Seems everybody needs $150 or better for a nice one.
The Train Tender has the parts you need. Suggest getting a spare control shaft as insurance.
We all have that same funding problem.
Good idea Larry,
I will look up the parts on Jeff's web site.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month