repairing HO engines

[Anonymous]

I'm attempting to clear and repair some HO engines that I have. I found a missing spring in one of the motors. Can you buy replacement springs or do you just buy a new motor? Where does one go to look for such parts. Yes, I'm new at this. Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Yea, you can replace most parts on a loco. Is this a spring that holds the brush. Look at the one on the opposite side of the motor and match it . Alot of parts will interchange with different loco manufacturers. I use springs from Athearn motors in many different locos. If I replace need to replace a spring, I replace both as a set where you get the same tension on each brush. Also, replace the brushes if worn down any and use fine sand paper to clean any grooves off of the communtator or place where hte brushes ride on the motor. Try the loco manufacturers web site first. If the unit is not really outdated, you should be able to get parts.

[cacole]

Where did this spring come from? I know of only two things it could be -- on older motors there was a spring on top of the motor that exerted pressure on the motor brushes. The only other spring is on a motor brush itself. If you have lost one of these springs, you really have only two choices: cannibalize a spring from a spare motor of the same size and type, or try to find a replacement motor from someone such as Bowser Manufacturing. The ideal solution would be to replace the old motor with a new can motor, but this may require considerable modification to the locomotive. For one thing, the worm gear on the old motor will probably not fit onto the shaft of a new can motor due to differences in diameter of the motor shafts, and finding a worm gear of the correct diameter and pitch may be difficult at best. If you can determine the manufacturer of the locomotive and model number or type. someone at Bowser or Walthers may be able to recommend a replacement.

[BRAKIE]

You need not buy a new motor..Like Tweet 469 said just replace the motor springs.Simple to do on most locomotives.