Wisdom needed is solving squeeling problem in Atlas Dash 8-40B

[skerber]

Hello,

Let me describe the problem. I have an Atlas HO Dash 8-40B that is at least two years old. I have used it heavily in those years since it was my first new loco since I got started back into the hobby. Until the last few months, no lubrication was added to anything but the wheels.

Everything ran quietly until today when I gave it the juice to do a switching job. When it moved forward, it squeeled like some little mouse was getting its feet run over. The squeeling only occurs going forward, and gets louder when the voltage increases. I do not have DCC.

I took the shell off, and oiled the universial where it goes into the worm shaft and into the two flywheels. After doing that, it still squeels when moving forward.

Is there some place else where I need to oil? It almost sounds like some kind of gear needs grease, but I am not sure where. I have the part diagram for my loco, so feel free to throw out terms.

Thanks for your help!!!
Stephen K.

[rlandry6]

Remove the body and run it on a track where you can get your ear close to it. I would think It has to be trucks or motor. Remove the trucks. To remove the trucks, loosen the two black screws on the ends just a little. the trucks can then easily be removed. Hook up some wire to your power pack, set the loco frame upside down on your bench and use that to apply power to the loco via touching the two sides of the frame. If you don't hear anythng, replace the trucks and do the same thing on the bench. if it is coming from the trucks, chances are it may not occur until it's run on the track so the trucks have a load on them..Sometimes you can figure out where a problem is by finding where it's not.
My first guess after thinking about it would be the motor, maybe a dirty armature or bearing in the motor or something like that. I'm sure there are electronic cleaners that can be sprayed into the motor to clean it. Sometimes replacing brushes and springs will help, but with the age and use it has, replacement would also make sense. Motors for Atlas products are pretty cheap..

[skerber]

Thanks for the help. I think I will give it a try.

Steve

[Virginian]

Be sure to oil the motor bearings/bushings. I haven't seen an Atlas motor in a long time but I am guessing they don't have roller bearings yet.

[Anonymous]

You may need to shim the worm gear or motor if there's too much slop. Squealing is often caused by too much slop and not enough lubrication.

Mark in Utah

[skerber]

Well, here is an update.

I lightly oiled everything I could find that moves from the washer by the worm gear to the other washer on the other worm gear. I oiled it multiple times over Sunday and after work today. Each time I oiled it, the squeek became quiter. I believe the squeek originated by the motor. After dinner tonight, I oiled it and ran it for a good half hour at different speeds and there was no squeek.

I will let it sit for a day or so and then run it again to see if it squeeks again.

Thanks for all the advice and wisdom.

Steve

[Anonymous]

The parts breakdown sheet should show the worm gear, two end round motor bearings , two thrust washers
for the front and also the rear.

These motor bearings, two at each end call for a motor bearing lubricant.