mech. coupler's

[cmrj]

I have a flat car from a lionel mopar set dated 1/87. one of the coupler's is constantly releaseing. I just run the set with no additional cars. From what I can tell the plastic bar and pin seem to be loose.any idea's to fix w/o drilling the rivet to remove the truck? [?][:)]

[Anonymous]

Ive had a similar problem with my mpc boxcar. I took a rubber band and wrapped it around the bar.

[spankybird]

Sometimes the best thing is a simple thing, like putting a small wire around the coupler to keep it closed



tom

[iguanaman3]

The rubber band will work but you can also try to bend the flap that holds the pin so that it engages the coupler better. First unsnap the flap from the coupler arm, then gently bend the flap upwards until it stays in a upward "swing". Then snap it back on. The pin should hold much better and it still can uncouple normally.

Neil

[Anonymous]

I have a new Hudson engine with a self releasing coupler on the tender. It usually opened going up grade or on a curve. I think I fixed it by putting a washer under the spring to increase the tension.

We'll see.

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness,

Bob

[lionelsoni]

Neil has the right idea for plastic-flap couplers. Just be careful not to bend enough to damage the part.

I have found that some passenger-car couplers, those with a rod under the drawbar connecting the armature under the truck to the coupler, have the rod just a little too tight. The up-and-down motion of the drawbar as the train moves pulls the rod out of the knuckle. They can be fixed by bending the crank on the armature slightly to eliminate any tension as the drawbar is flexed.

[cmrj]

Thank's for all the info. That flap will snap out , i'm going to give it a try. If that won't work I'l try the wire or rubber band trick. [:)] thanks again MIKE

[cmrj]

I poped the bar out after removeing the wheel set's flexed it a little and snapped it back in. very easy to do. did it on both ends. no more problem 's [:D][tup]