Just picked up a 681 turbine dirt cheap. Got it all cleaned up and running good. Only problem is the rear driver wheel on one side is EXTREMELY loose on the axle shaft. Is there a remedy for this without replacing the whole thing?
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There are a few ways to go with that. It is VERY common to find these with loose wheels. My own 681 went through that several times. Probably the best thing is to get a new wheel and have that pressed on. You have to remove the one in front of it to get that one off. Some may tell you to try super glue. But I doubt that will hold with the wheel being that loose. Jeff Kane has them. Make SURE you get the right wheels as the 671 without magnatraction uses a wheel that looks just like it but the axle hole is too small to accept the 681 axle.
Rob
We fixed a similar problem by removing the axle, staking it at four different equidistant points, which displaced just enough metal that the wheel made a snug press fit. Maybe super-glue it for good measure. But yours looks really loose and may need replacement axle and/or wheel. Remove the axle first for inspection.
How did you correctly quarter the driver afterward?
Quartering is very important on all turbines. Models after 1946 transmit power to the wheels through the side rods from the rear wheels, so repairing your loose wheel and quartering it properly will improve operation significantly.
Olsens train website is down. Is a new assembled axle and wheels assembly available for them?
You don't want the parts assembled, they have to be assembled on the locomotive.
You want a 681-24 rear flanged wheel, a 681-18 sweged axle, and while you're at it, replace the axle bushings with part number 681-11.
I I staked the axle and reassembled. It quartered well. No binding. It ran for about 3-4 hrs before breaking loose. Going to need an axle and wheel set.
Question 1: does anyone have a link to the factory manuals? I had it at one time and downloaded them for some of my other pw locos but cant find the link.
Question 2: should I replace all the wheels, axles and bushings? If I have to split it apart it seems logical. One other axle looks like it was staked at some point and they all show 50+ years of use.
Question 3: what is the procedure for removing the wheels and axles and reassembling without damaging anything? How does the brass drive gear get removed?
Question 1: does anyone have a link to the factory manuals? I had it at one time and downloaded them for some of my other pw locos but cant find the link.
Question 2: should I replace all the wheels, axles and bushings? If I have to split it apart it seems logical. One other axle looks like it was staked at some point and they all show 50+ years of use.
Question 3: what is the procedure for removing the wheels and axles and reassembling without damaging anything? How does the brass drive gear get removed?
Originally Posted by groundhogslayer:
I I staked the axle and reassembled. It quartered well. No binding. It ran for about 3-4 hrs before breaking loose. Going to need an axle and wheel set.
Question 1: does anyone have a link to the factory manuals? I had it at one time and downloaded them for some of my other pw locos but cant find the link.
Question 1: does anyone have a link to the factory manuals? I had it at one time and downloaded them for some of my other pw locos but cant find the link.
I wish we knew you were going to try that - a thin film of J-B Weld along with your repair might have made it rather permanent.
The Olsen's site with manuals is down and being rebuilt.
Question 2: should I replace all the wheels, axles and bushings? If I have to split it apart it seems logical. One other axle looks like it was staked at some point and they all show 50+ years of use.
The right rear bushing is the one that takes all the wear from the action of the worm on the worm wheel. The rest are probably OK.
Question 3: what is the procedure for removing the wheels and axles and reassembling without damaging anything? How does the brass drive gear get removed?
A wheel puller is used, and the sweged axle is pressed out of the frame and worm wheel, and the new one pressed in with an arbor press. The wheels are pressed using wheel cups in the press for accurate quartering.
Ive used jb weld on many projects. As loose as this driver was I dont think it would have held..
So if I dont have the special tools required, how do I get it rebuilt?
So if I dont have the special tools required, how do I get it rebuilt?
If you strip it down to just the wheels and axles, a Lionel service station could do the press work for you in short order and reasonably. Check the Lionel website to find a dealer nearby you that is capable of doing the work.
Hmmm. Just looked it up. Mb klein (modeltrainstuff.com) comes up as a repair center..... I was just there today....lol will have to call them tomorrow and see if they can do it
With you living in York there should be lots of guys around that could do the job. Definitely get someone who has a wheel cup and press set. It isn't worth having a wobbly wheel that was put on using a vise.
Rob
Postwar Lionel didn't offer a set of wheel cups for the turbine. Hobby Horse makes them. The Hobby Horse ones are specific according to which wheel variation needs to be installed.
When Lionel put together a Service Station tool package (1992-3), they included a pair of turbine cups.
Guess I will be making phone calls today
