Bachmann 1:20 Railtruck Procedure

[Curmudgeon]

Tearing down 5 new Railtrucks (3 here, 2 at Barry’s), we have discovered an issue which in most probability will result in failure of the output gears in the transmission (gearbox) of this unit.


The screws in question (from the parts breakdown list provided with the unit) are Kader Part Number SCREW-10644.


These are about .195” in length from under the head to end of threads. They need to be no longer than .150”, and probably for manufacturing tolerances, about .140”.


The screws are bottomed out in the holes. This prevents the keeper (Kader 00L06, I think it says) from holding the brass bearing firmly in the housing, allowing extreme wobble and gear un-mesh in the output bevel gears, which shall result in failure at some point.


Procedure:

1) Remove all stake side boards from bed.

2) Remove box cover in bed.

3) Open one hood side. Flex radiator forward slightly at radiator cap, remove hood.

Open other hood and repeat.

4) Remove front screw holding down box into bed. Not the circuit board screw.

5) Turn unit over. Remove 2 rear cab screws. These are located in front crossmember of bed support.

6) Lift cab at rear, allowing box to flex up slightly. Pull cab back and undog cowl from firewall. Lift cab off and set aside. (You can access rear screw of box. This requires removel of switch, flexing of wires, and may not be something you want to do).

7) Remove 2 small screws holding floorboard down, one each side of gearshift lever. Lift floor and remove. If difficulty is experienced, lift seat straight up, remove on screw in bottom of seatbox and remove seatbox.

8) Remove 2 screws holding black support bracket to gearbox just forward of front u-joint assembly.

9) These are the problem screws. They are approximately .195” long, from under head to end of threads. They need to be less than .150”, which can vary with how deep the holes are on your unit. Cut off about .050” and file flat, or obtain new screws of proper length, and re-install. Make certain black support bracket is fully seated by pressing down and looking for air gap under screwhead. Washers should not be used as this will hold the floor up, preventing it from laying flat against frame.

10) Re-assemble in reverse order after lubricating gearbox.

We are still working on the surging on grades, two paths in work at this time.

TOC

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