1977 "General" Wheel Issue

Are the drivers on the front axle quartered?  It should match.  If only one wheel came off, I would think it should just go back on to match the  existing wheel on that side unless I am misreading the situation.

Brendan

There’s a side rod that is connected to each drive wheel. The screw for each end of that side rod will require that the wheels are matched on one side, which is “quartered” from the other side.

Maybe a more important question is how did the wheel fall off? Is something broken or stripped where the wheel needs to be replaced?

The wheels and rods on this General model are not quartered, or halved, but are actually synchronous due to the original 1950's design of the smoke unit mechanism.

Brendan:  No, the front drivers are not quartered.

Sam:  Looks like the wheel is "stripped"  it spins on the axle and slips on/off easily.  Its matching wheel on the right side is OK, nice fits tight on the axle.  I am thinking of using some nippy cutters to expand the metal on the axle on the left side, then use a tiny bit of expanding adhesive to help hold the wheel on the axle.  Seems worth a try before purchasing a new wheel.  Unless others have not had success doing this.

Rob:  Thanks for the info.  It looked to me like it was not quartered, but I wanted to make sure.

@ADCX Rob posted:

The wheels and rods on this General model are not quartered, or halved, but are actually synchronous due to the original 1950's design of the smoke unit mechanism.

Good catch Rob. Of course you’re right. I forgot about that funky piston/cylinder part that would require all wheels to be the same. I’ve got a PW General apart on the work bench, but forgot how those side rods are assembled.

Thank you for the good info.

I will try to epoxy the left Wheel back in place this weekend.

A little J B Weld metal filled epoxy would be stronger than regular epoxy.

Charlie

For what it is worth, I don't use JB Weld or Epoxy substances to attach wheels that are loose on splined axles as it is too permanent of a solution preventing any further service work in the future. My go-to is LocTite 242. If LocTite 242 is unable to fasten the wheel and axle as there is too much wear, I then look for replacement axle and/or wheels as appropriate.

I did not get to the General this past weekend.  I was thinking this over, and instead of epoxy I might use water activated, expanding Gorilla glue.  This glue will bond to metals, will take up any interstitial space between the wheel hub and axel, and is not permeant.  It will wear with prolonged use.  Seems a safe beat. 

bmoran:  I was wondering about using LocTite.  That might be a better than expanding glue.  The General's wheel to axel connection is still snug, just enough wear that wheel will spin on the axel.

I used blue LocTite on the General's wheel this past Monday; let things sit for 24 hours to "cure" properly, then gave it a run.  The General is running again, just like new.

Thanks for the help everyone.