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Does someone make a heavier duty coupler spring. I am plagued by random coupler openings on every new F unit Power B locos from Lionel. Its the rear coupler on all power B units. The electro couplers open and close just fine after the graphite and repeated opening and closing. They just uncouple under load. (6-8 passenger cars)  I have unplugged the coupler on all and the problem still occurs. So is there such a thing as a heavy duty spring that would work? If so a part number and URL would be appreciated.  If you don't watch your trains every second it will cause a crash.   It takes the joy out of this hobby when new products are consistently malfunctioning right out of the box and just let them roll. Don't want to start a fight just find a solution. I am seriously considering fixed couplers.

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Don't need to stretch the spring, that's not the fault. The fault is with the knuckle, take a file and true the area where the plunger locks the knuckle. I use a miniature square file and take 3-4 strokes and its square. When you assemble the coupler you can feel the difference when the pin locks. Check the plunger also, it probably has a little casting flash.

 

Bill

 

Originally Posted by Boxcar Bill:

Don't need to stretch the spring, that's not the fault. The fault is with the knuckle, take a file and true the area where the plunger locks the knuckle. I use a miniature square file and take 3-4 strokes and its square. When you assemble the coupler you can feel the difference when the pin locks. Check the plunger also, it probably has a little casting flash.

 

Bill

 

That seemed to do the trick! Thank you!  But while testing it before spreading the rivet the assembly let loose and now I cant find the plunger spring! So do you have a lionel part number for the electro coupler plunger spring? I want to but allot. I see you sell them

The real problem is that those little buggers tend to fly off.  If I fix six I generally loose three springs and now my spring stock is depleted. I can't find a source for new springs. I have fixed six and still have a couple to go.  I think I will send the spring to a major spring supplier and let them find some. Then I will buy a whole bunch

OK, I just pulled coupler apart on my K-Line Hudson. I found only a very small casting flash on the knuckle and none on the plunger. it was very smooth with nickel plating, not cast but ground smooth. I filed the knuckle smooth as per Bill's photo. 

Maybe these couplers came from different batches. I would suggest only doing this if you are having a problem.

 

Pete

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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