lionel 2400 passenger car coupler wont stay close

[daves92camaro]

Hey, I just have a silver newark passenger couch that no matter what i do i cant get the spring on the truck to keep the coupler locked....is there something I can do to get buy and just lock the knuckle closed until i order a new truck?

[BigAl 956]

Those MPC era plastic trucks seem to have this problem. Do you have or know any kids who wear braces? I used to use those small orthodontic rubber bands around the trucks to hold them shut. A small pack from the orthodontist does the job nicely.

[TrainLarry]

If this is this a postwar car, the lock pin assembly can be taken out and the spring stretched a bit to insure proper locking of the coupler.

Larry

[lionelsoni]

That service manual page shows the 490 coupler truck for 2500 cars, not the 487 for 2400 cars like the 2434 Newark.  You can get access to the lock pin and spring by springing the sideframes to pop out the axle nearest the coupler and then swinging the bottom of the truck around the other axle.  Push the lock pin stamping back to clear the coupler casting and lift it out, along with the spring that is on its tail end.

It is possible that your spring was damaged by overheating, probably in a derailment.  When current passes through the couplers during a short circuit it can take out any of the small springs in a coupler.  In that case, even if the spring is intact it will no longer be stiff, and you'll need a new spring. 

[TrainLarry]

Thank you Bob, the updated link is here. Sorry 'bout that.

Larry

[ADCX Rob]

[daves92camaro]

thanks guys...ill have to disassemble and see what i find

[Dashster]

My favorite temporary fix to hold flying shoe and slide shoe couplers closed is to tear a chunk out of an expandable ear-plug and jamb it inside the throat of the coupler. It's out of sight and easy to remove if and when it's time to move to a more permanent fix.

Dan.

[RAVL]

I have also found that using a spring from a click/button style ballpoint pen typically will have the right tension and can readily be trimmed to an appropriate length if it is not correct already.

[Buckeye Riveter]

I have used bread wrapper tie wire to keep them closed when I didn't have access to a spring.  Wrapped and snipped excess wire.  Also, use hobby shop graphite for lubrication and not oil.

RAVL....Like the idea of the pen spring.  May try that the next time.