HarrisonI had to use a vice to push the axles on to the gears.
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The first time I made this repair I was quite surprised by how hard it was to press the wheels onto the gears.
I used a fine thread c-clamp to press them on.
I do not think there is any chance of the wheels slipping. The press fit is very firm.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I had a P2K GP7 with this problem, the gears were pretty cheap, and the fix was really easy, just make sure the wheels are in gauge. I had to use a vice to push the axles on to the gears. I followed this bloggers instructions.
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
I buy the complete wheel set, with the gears. That way you'll get the nickel silver wheels.
Mike.
My You Tube
Ok, thanks for the suggestion.
It makes sense, because axles / gears are available and will be for some time in the future, so it is not that urgent. If cracked, I think it is better to buy the whole wheelset than just gears, it is available from Walthers, as AntonioFP45 mentioned earlier (price difference is not significant - around 15 USD for 6 wheels, approximately 9 USD for 6 gears).
If Randy did not point out that these are a "bargain" (I agree!), I even would not think about buying them. But then I checked what is available, and saw these two...uh.
Hrvoje
Spalato68My question: should I buy gears now, or wait until I have both locomotive
Check the axles when you get the locos delivered, it's easy enough to do.
I have an E7, and I haven't had any problems, BUT on a GP18, I did. I've had this issue with certain runs of Athearn SD45 and SDP40's
My E units did not have the problems, in fact, only one GP7 had cracked gears in my collection.
Test run it, if it runs fine, do not do anything.
Hi everybody.
I just bought PROTO 2000 HO SCALE #8101/8199 E8/9 SOUTHERN PACIFIC #6051/6052 on ebay.
My question: should I buy gears now, or wait until I have both locomotives (in Summer, when my cousin is here for vacation) and be able to check them? If yes, which?
I could not resist, I really admire a lot these beautiful locomotives, so I decided to buy them. I have the whole train for them (MTH). I am sure cracked gears issue can be solved...
Regards,
Also, Athearn now sells full axle assemblies with nice wheels and really well made bearings that will make the repair even easier.
I love my Life Like Proto 2000 locomotives. If I needed more, I would not hesitate.
I have to throw in my $0.02 -- don't let the possibility of cracked gears steer you away from these locomotives. It's a cheap an easy fix and everything else about the LL-era P2ks, from their detail to their running characteristics, is excellent.
For LL P2K E-unit owners, you'll see the part number and price on this link:
https://www.walthers.com/replacement-geared-diesel-wheelsets-fits-early-proto-2000-r-e6-7-8-9-pkg-3?ref=1
Like the 4-axle version, they're due to be in stock this September. The price is msrp, so it's possible that other online dealers will offer them at a discounted price.
From my understanding, these sets are better in quality than the stock versions that the LL P2K's came factory equipped with.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
As others have said, the cracked gear problem is an easy fix. And, yes, the cracked gear is visible to the naked eye. The problem seemed to be that the metal axle was slightly bigger than the opening in the gear and, as a result, split the gear. The problem manifests itself by a thumping and grinding of the wheelset as the faulty loco travels down the track. What you can't see, you can hear.
Rich
Alton Junction
Sometimes the crack is visible, sometimes not. If you hear a thumping sound that varies with the speed of the engine, you have at least one cracked gear. If the gear on the axle can be spun with light finger-tip pressure, you have a cracked gear. The replacement part for Geeps (2-axle power trucks) is Athearn #60024.
Hi Andrew!
Thanks. I've communicated with other P2K owners that have stated similar experiences and sentiments. Just a little proactive maintenance pays off nicely! Like you, my favorite P2K's are the E-units. It sounds funny but I often refer to them as BRICKS! They're heavy and can outpull some of my Athearn 6-axle units. Although I normally don't push them, they can easily hit a scale 90+mph.
I'm grateful to LifeLike for willing to provide E-units in a variety of southeastern roads: ACL, FEC, L&N, RF&P, SAL. (Just wish they had done SCL, but beggars can't always be choosers).
The lead unit here is an ACL E8, but I plan on re-decaling it into SCL. Once done, It will be lightly weathered. The unit behind it is an ACL E6.
My RF&P E8
For DCC Sound modelers, the "Cool Factor" with the E-units is that the dummy B-units have A LOT of space for robust speakers, which can result in crystal clear sound at low volume for a properly installed and baffled system.
Soundrew I'm with you 100% on the proactive cleaning and lubricating Antonio. Of the twenty plus diesels in my layout, my Proto E7 is my absolute fave. It pulls relentlessly and can run at a snail's pace- all as quiet as can be. Of my half dozen Protos, I've only had one with cracked gears and, as you and others have said, it's a cheap and easy fix. I keep spares on hand though and have tuned my ears to recognize the tell tale clunking sound.
I'm with you 100% on the proactive cleaning and lubricating Antonio. Of the twenty plus diesels in my layout, my Proto E7 is my absolute fave. It pulls relentlessly and can run at a snail's pace- all as quiet as can be. Of my half dozen Protos, I've only had one with cracked gears and, as you and others have said, it's a cheap and easy fix. I keep spares on hand though and have tuned my ears to recognize the tell tale clunking sound.
Andrew Roberts
Greenhorn Modeling the B&O
Maryland, USA
ATLANTIC CENTRAL No, you cannot glue nylon/delrin plastics. Sheldon
No, you cannot glue nylon/delrin plastics.
Sheldon
So true, even if you could glue a solid joint, the plastic has shrunk and the gears will never mesh properly. It is a very inexpensive and simple repair, just replace the axle/ gear assy. Bottom truck cover come off in a minute, check wheel gauge and reinstall- done! Then enjoy the great running of these engines for many years.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
PC101I have Athearn BB locos that I have found to have cracked axel gears.Sigh
Yep, I've found a few. Mostly SDP40's, FP45's and some SD45's. I think they all came out about the same time.
Good discussion,
One plus that's not mentioned is that the Athearn replacement gears are better in quality and more duable than the versions produced years back. So they should give you many "scale miles" of trouble-free performance.
I would like to, respectfully, add that it's a good (headache saving) practice to go ahead and check your locomotive's lubrication if you are replacing the gears.
Years back I hastily replaced the gears in one of my P2K units and did nothing else to it. On the track again, it did not run smoothly. After taking it apart, I discovered that there was dried grease in the trucks. The Geep was "new-in-the-box" but, apparently, sat on the vendor's shelf for some years.
I learned my lesson and now take the step of disassembling the trucks. A dampened cotton cloth with 70% alcohol works well. A Microbrush, toothpick, or toothbrush helps to remove gunk between gear teeth. Once cleaned, a tiny drop of Labelle #106 works nicely.
This video (link below,) imho, is EXCELLENT regarding the cleaning of trucks. Worth watching, the narrators are straight-forward and to the point. The powered trucks featured are Athearn, but as we know many of our older-run P2K units use Athearn-cloned mechanisms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YINsBLGM330
Do not think that only the P2K's axel gears will crack. I have Athearn BB locos that I have found to have cracked axel gears.
If I find a P2K loco at a Train Show, I expect the axel gears to be cracked and use that as a price nogatiating point.
I believe Athearn part #60024 is what you want. Easily found on Ebayif a local hobby shop doesn't stock.
I had a P2K GP7 that was stalling erratically. I discovered all for of the axle gears were cracked. I replaced them with athearn axles and it ran just fine. I did have to use a vice to press them on.
You are lucky to have a well stocked LHS.
For those that might be interested in pre-installed DCC, I got an ad from Trainworld today. Fox Valley loksound DCC GP-60 $160 for Santa Fe, NS, Southern Pacific, BNSF and a war bonnet Santa Fe B unit for $120. Two different road numbers for each of the A units.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I decided to go for it and got the GP 60 I had my eye on. My LHS said they thought this one came out on a later run when the gear problem was fixed but they do stock the replacement gears and wheelsets if I need them. I have two proto 1000 RS2's that i had to replace the gears on so I know what it is all about. The GP 60 is a beautiful loco and runs well. Got it at a great price too. Life is good.
I have GP60's, GP38-2's and other Proto 2000 engines and they all run well. Like others say, don't let that fear hold you up. If you think about it, it can happen to almost any engine out there for an unknown reason.
Come to think of it, I need to go to Evil Bay to see if they have any more GP60 engines available.. Need two more..
Neal
And witht he Athearn gears they woon't crack again, at least two of mine that have run up many hours of continuous running pulling heavy trains at club shows have shown no signs of any issues. I do nothing except periodically clean the wheels and redo lubrication with appropriate plastic-compatible oil and grease and they chug on much like their prototypes. One of those had a cracked gear right out of the box, the other was fine but I replaced them anyway so I wouldn;t have to later.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.