Why did I destroy two Lionel 253 locomotive motors?

[Count Orlock]

I was trying to disassemble and clean by two Lionel 253 motors. I completely destroyed the armature in both. The problem was removing the little gear that is attached to the shaft of the armature--it seems impossible to removie, and trying to hammer on the shaft with a punch just bent the shaft. What am I doing wrong? Is it generally too difficult to remove it, and the armature simply shouldn't be taken out?

[TrainLarry]

Generally the armatures do not come out of the motor, and it is not needed to clean the motor. Use Q-tips with Naphtha to clean in confined spaces.

There is a special tool that is used to pull the pinion gear off the loco.

 

Larry

[Count Orlock]

Hi Larry. Thanks. So does that mean that I need to replace the whole motor, or is there a way to put in a new armature into the old motor?

[teledoc]

You have apparently gotten in over your head with trying to clean up your Prewar motors.  The pinion gear on the opposite side of the armature typically does NOT come off, and is NOT necessary to clean the armature.  You only need to take the brush plate off, then clean the copper facing (3 segments) with naphtha, and an eraser. Get the copper faces as clean as possible.  As a last resort, use at least 1200 grit emery paper.  Also clean out the grooves between the segments.  Put in new brushes, after cleaning the brush holders.

if you have tried to drive the armature through the pinion gear, and HAVE BENT the shafts, you have ruined both motors.  You would then need to cutoff the pinion gear from the shaft, (using a Dremel cut-off wheel), andthen getting a new armature and new pinion gear, to replace the damage you created.  Good luck!!!