American Flyer 740 Handcar With Stripped Drive Axle

[MickeyDemian]

Hello All:

  I picked up an AF 740 Handcar at a show in which the motor runs fine but the drive gear spins freely on the rear drive axle.  A worm gear off of the armature drives the gear.  I'll admit to my limited experience with AF trains, but I only can guess that the splines (at least thats what I guess is on it) on the drive axle are worn off allowing the drive gear to spin freely on the axle.  Is there a simple fix for this or must I remove a wheel to take off the axle and replace it?  They probably are not available.  I thought of drilling a small hole through the gear into the axle and pinning it, but I just wanted to know if there is a simpler fix. Would a glue work? Thanks for sharing any of your experiences with such a problem.

Mickey Demian

 

 

[MickeyDemian]

Hello Again:

  So in re-examining the unit and my practical options I see it is foolish for me to think I can drill a hole in the small gear and pin it to the drive axle.  So if i could re state my question:  Is it possible to drop some solder between the shaft and drive gear and allow it flow into the small space between the shaft and gear hole?  Both are metal of course.  My other thought was to place a few drops of red or blue locktite in this same area.  This could flow into this space also.   I forget which color is supposed to be stronger.  Has anyone had any experience trying such methods to afix a wheel to a shaft?

Thanks Again For Your Thoughts--Mickey Demian

 

[TrainLarry]

Red Loctite #641 should hold the gear to the axle. I used it to hold a couple of wheels on the axles of a steamer, and it worked well. Be sure to thoroughly clean the axle and gear of any grease or oil with Naphtha first. Let the Loctite cure 24 hours before putting the Handcar in service.

 

Larry

[Roger Carp]

Hi Mickey,

 

Please contact me at Classic Toy Trains for help with your American Flyer 740.

 

Thanks,

 

Roger Carp

Senior editor

Classic Toy Trains

262-796-8776 ext. 253

[Sturgeon-Phish]

I've used JB Weld with great results

Jim

[MickeyDemian]

Hello Again;

  As an aside, while I am contempalting my issue with the slipping drive gear on the axle of my AF 740, I was considering how small and light the unit is and why should the drive gear loosen on the axle under such little pressure?  The two rubber men on the unit are 50+ years old and the rubber in which they are made out of is hardened and less pliable.  Could it be the work needed to bend the stiffened arms on these two men back and forth is causing the gear to eventually loosen?  So a question I have is if there is a substance I can apply to the rubber arms (an oil or cream) that would allow the arms to bend easier?   Or, should I just consider repalcing the men with new softer ones if I fix the gear?   What do you think?

 

Thanks for your input---Mickey Demian

[Sturgeon-Phish]

 

I don’t know about softening the plastic but a lot of the time the men’s arm tear off where they attach to the pump handles.  Replacements are available and I’ve used them and the work well. 

 

I don’t know about softening the plastic but a lot of the time the men’s arm tear off where they attach to the pump handles.  Replacements are available and I’ve used them and the work well.