Replacement Parts

[Anonymous]

I have a Model Power F-7 diesel that is missing a part. The Engine and the truck is connected by a short i piece, it looks like this: |--| (it's like a long i witha ball shape at each end and the ball has two little things coming out. what is this piece called?

[Jetrock]

I think it's called a universal joint--you might be able to get the replacement from the manufacturer.

[AltonFan]

I seem to recall this question being asked recently.

The part you described is called a "dogbone". Its ends are called "horned balls". The dogbone fits into two "cups". The whole shebang is called a universal connector or universal joint.

One quick and dirty approach might be to cut a piece of styrene and wedging it between the cups on the gear tower and motor shaft. You could also get a length of neoprene tube that fits snugly over the aforementioned cups, cut it to length, and sliding the tube over the cups. (Or else remove the cups, and slide the tube over the drive shafts.

For a more elegant solution, you might want to check out North West Short Line, who makes drive train parts. Look at this page (about the middle) from their catalog: http://catalogs.google.com/catalogs?dq=&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&issue=11182&catpage=98

Good luck, and may the Force be with you.