HO Riverossi Big Boy Problem

[Anonymous]

My friend's 4-8-8-4 HO Big Boy hasn't been run in a while, and when we ran it on my layout the other day, there was a high-pitched squeal in the mechanism somewhere, but only about half the time. I disassembled it, lubricated (lightly, of course) all the moving parts and noticed that the gear boxes had plenty of lube visible. Every part (motor and both driver sets) ran smoothly by itself, but when back together, it squealed again, still only occasionally, with no discernable pattern. Next, I filed off some really small flash lines on the plastic "transmission" couplers between the motor and the gearboxes. This seemed to help, and I ran it for about an hour; then after a 30-minute rest, it started squealing again. Can anyone suggest an answer?

[AggroJones]

Check the wheel bearings of the trailing and pilot trucks. And the tender bearings too. Hit them with a little Labelle teflon powder.

[Anonymous]

Could you tell me how to dissamble mine for lubrication I am having so much trouble.

[Virginian]

Don't forget to lube the motor bearings.

[Anonymous]

I've lubricated the motor bearlings; I ran the engine without the pilot truck and the trailing truck--i.e. just the two sets of drivers (and without the tender)--and the noise is still there.

[Anonymous]

Ken you say lubing the drive couplers helped. Just as an experiment, if possible, flip the drive shaft the other way around. I'm wondering if it has a wear spot. Is the motor and transmission tight and aligned?
This is where those rollers would be handy. But $60! [:O] Ouch!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gsetter

Ken you say lubing the drive couplers helped. Just as an experiment, if possible, flip the drive shaft the other way around. I'm wondering if it has a wear spot. Is the motor and transmission tight and aligned?
This is where those rollers would be handy. But $60! [:O] Ouch!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gsetter

Ken you say lubing the drive couplers helped. Just as an experiment, if possible, flip the drive shaft the other way around. I'm wondering if it has a wear spot. Is the motor and transmission tight and aligned?
This is where those rollers would be handy. But $60! [:O] Ouch!

Oops. I hit enter too quick and posted a blank reply. Sorry!
I FOUND THE PROBLEM BUT NOW I HAVE ANOTHER!
The brass bushings that hold the worm gear/shaft in place (inside the gearbox) are not machined closely enough, and therefore have a bit of "slop" between the bushing and the shaft.. This allows the shaft to move around a bit and to chatter (or "sing") when in motion. My "Fix" is to slobber Lubriplate all over the bushings. No More Noise! BUT...... now the rubber "tire" on driver #3 of the rear engine keeps falling off. I can't tell if it's stretched out of shape, but the engine won't move 10 feet before it comes off again. Can I glue it in place? Or must it be replaced; and, if so, where can I get them?

[Anonymous]

The Virginian has a recommended tire procedure. Hopefully he will spot your post

[Anonymous]

Ken, maybe the bushing and / or shaft is worn out. What brand is it? Maybe you can get parts.
Also, did some lubricant or solvent get on the rubber? If it's swollen or streached it may have to be replaced. Think about posting another question on how to.

[Anonymous]

Ken, e-mail Virginian direct.

[dinwitty]

I never liked traction tires, the tire may be stretched. You could spot-goo (walthers)
in place, but I would look for a non-traction tired wheelset and replace it.

[Virginian]

Get some Stewart traction tires and replace the old ones. There's an ad in MR every month. One pack should last you 2.5 lifetimes. Take the correct size tire, put it in a bowl of hot water, wait three minutes, and slip it on the wheel. Check to make sure it is level all around, it not, trim with an Xacto and/or a file or emery board. Put a tiny bit of thin superglue on the tire/wheel joint in two places so the tire doesn't slip on the wheel or pop off.
I like traction tires. If I had a mini lathe I believe I would put them on everything. I bought four packs of Stewart tires 20 years ago, and started using the superglue trick shortly thereafter. I have since consumed ONE (1) more tire. Sigh.