I don't know why they bend upward but I'm more concerned about how to fix it.
A coil coupler on one end of an MTH Premier diesel is bent upward so bad it won't stay coupled to anything.
Can I bend it back without breaking it?
Is there some other fix?
Do I have to replace it?
Thanks
-RM
Replies sorted oldest to newest
what is the mth item number?
Alan
is the bracket that holds the coupler is bent and not the coil couple assy itself bent?
if the bracket that holds the coupler to the truck frame is bent I would say you can straighten it with no problem !take a picture of the bent part and let us see it ok! post it here!
Alan
The "bracket" that holds the coupler is part of the truck casting as a rule, not sure how easy that would be to bend or bend back. I think the first step is to determine what is causing the issue before we try to correct it. 
gunrunnerjohn posted:I think the first step is to determine what is causing the issue before we try to correct it.
Agreed. Troubleshooting and pinpointing the actual problem is always the first thing to do.
Unfortunately, many folks want to jump immediately to the solution without understanding the problem. It's really bad on the old car forum I frequent.
.
Sometimes a "bent" coupler can be a result of something out of sorts with the spring or spacer at the pivot point. Look at this first. Probably not it, but I've seen it.
Secondly, the metal that is used for most couplers and trucks is a zinc, but zinc can take a bit of "re-bending" if it has not received terminal damage (i.e. - major cracking). Remove the coupler from the truck and inspect the mounting end, and the truck. They (couplers) are usually easy to remove. Pliers and patience - and familiarity - can coax the metal back into shape.
The loco may have been dropped or run into a wall at high speed. I suppose the a part or parts could have been faulty before assembly.
Drop the coupler and get familiar with the assembly, then try to tease it back into shape, if this looks possible. If the coupler mount is badly cracked, a new one may be in order. EBay can help, there, for example.
BEFORE
AFTER
I mounted it in a vice and v-e-r-y gently bent it back the way it was supposed to be. It did not break. Put everything back together and it all works and stays coupled. Yipee!
I bought this loco second hand so the only thing I can figure is that it may have been dropped at some point and landed on its coupler or got rammed in a violent collision.
All's well that end well.
-RM
Ralph glad you got your coupler fixed!!
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
