I have 3 some what functional AF steamers for my son. The first one is our 300 and we just got it back from getting looked over for an E unit issue and noticed that the rear drive wheels have a side to side motion that my 302 and 302AC do not have. When this 300 runs, you can see a wiggle back and forth of loco. I suspect something is worn but I could use some guidance on whether this normal, and if it’s not, what do I need to fix it? I’m very mechanical and want to start fixing these myself. The local guy I liked is retiring and the other local guy just wants to sell me a train, not fix them. Any help is appreciate! This 300 seems to work fine now otherwise.
Hold the locomotive in your hand and move the wheelset in question from side to side, and compare with the other wheelset. It sounds like the wheels may not be pressed all the way on the axle. If they aren't, you need a wheel press to properly get the pressed on square.
If the wheels are ok side-to-side, but you can wiggle the axle front to back, then you have worn bearings in the frame which need to be punched out and replaced.
Larry
Well, it’s just the rear drive wheel or 2nd drive axle set. The front drive wheel axle is fine. I took off the bottom access cover plate and I can see the gear going side to side.
Thus, it’s not a matter of some bushing around that gear? Sounds like it needs to be pressed is all?
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