Help removing trucks from older Athearn chassis

[rrlcommish]

Got an old Athearn Blue Box GP-9 from the early 1980's.  I can easily remove the motor, but how are the trucks held in?  Is it the worm gear cover?  If so, how does one get that cover off without breaking it?

[chicochip]

There should be two prongs on the worm gear cover pointing toward the center of the frame - or towards the motor. Those two prongs hold the truck in place. The cover is flexible Delrin, and can be carefully pried off the gear box with a small jeweler's screwdriver. It's best to get it started on the side of the gear box, and then proceed to the top. With the cover removed, lift the frame of the locomotive and the truck should remain sitting on the workbench. Re-installing is quite simple. The worm gear cover just snaps straight back down in to place.

Hope this helps.

[Texas Zepher]

how are the trucks held in?  Is it the worm gear cover?

YES.  Pry it up from one side.  If you look close you can see the two tabs that hold it down on each side.

[chicochip]

Thanks, rrlcommish. You've validated my answer and helped our friend a bit more. I forgot to mention the tabs. Nice work!

 

[loathar]

http://hoseeker.net/assemblyexplosionAthearn/Assembly%20Explosion%20Athearn%20GP9%201975.jpg

Here's a diagram that might help. The worm housing cover is what you want to remove.

[rrlcommish]

Loathar,

Your link gives a "forbidden access" error.

[bogp40]

On reassembly, just take care in placing the square bronze bushings on the worm shaft. They will nestle down in the worm tower of the truck. then snap on the cover.

[loathar]

Loathar,

Your link gives a "forbidden access" error.

You a victim of mass spam blocking. If you can access the HO Seeker site, you can find the diagram yourself.(under the literature section) If you send me your E-mail address, I'll send it to you. Trains.com doesn't support attachments in it's E-mail or PM's.

I don't want to just post the diagram here. It might violate something with HO Seeker.

(sorry)

[loathar]

Pry up one side of the clip and it will pop off.  I have never, ever had one of those things break.

David B

I had 2 on one loco break.

[rrlcommish]

Sent you a private email.  Thanks!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Put the tip of a flat point screwdriver under the edge of the worm gear cover. At the same time rest the thumb of your free hand lightly on the cover, to keep it from flying off. Carefully pry upwards with the screwdriver using a gentle but firm pressure. The cover will pop loose. I've only broken one of these in twenty-six years and that one was already damaged.

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

Yes, Jeff is right.  There is more fear of loosing it in your workshop when it flies off than it breaking.  Keep your thumb over it as it does come off with quite a force behind it.

Johnboy out...........

James:1 Verse:5

[rrlcommish]

Put the tip of a flat point screwdriver under the edge of the worm gear cover. At the same time rest the thumb of your free hand lightly on the cover, to keep it from flying off. Carefully pry upwards with the screwdriver using a gentle but firm pressure. The cover will pop loose. I've only broken one of these in twenty-six years and that one was already damaged.

Did exactly that and it came off perfectly, thanks.  FYI, for those of you who might be running these oldies, I figured out that my problem of poor running was that the metal contact that is riveted to the truck frame had worked loose and only making intermittent contact.  I used a punch and CAREFULLY tapped it back in tight and the engine runs well again.  I have seen many problems with older Athearns, but the first time I had seen this one.  Anyway, thanks all for the assistance.