Help changing a traction tire

Throw out a photo. of what you need done.

Marty here it is 

My Dad has the NKP version which needs new tires. It does not look like an easy project at all. Rear axle is where the tires are so it looks like all the running gear has to come off. Not fun at all.

Laidoff, yes that's it but how does it come off?

Have not got that far yet. Put it in the cradle, took one look at it, and put it back on the layout on the bad order track.  Thats a project that requires quite a bit of time just to figure out how to get it apart. I tried a YouTube search but didnt find anything.

Do you have a socket piece from the packaging? That is usually the main reason it would come off.

Theres no exposed hex head on the rear axle for that socket

I have already romoved the screw but more of the gear must be removed 

Well like Doug said it isn't easy, I would contact Lionel if needed but I would ask around, Marty might have a solution.

SDIV Tim posted:

Well like Doug said it isn't easy, I would contact Lionel if needed but I would ask around, Marty might have a solution.

 

I'm hoping Marty will have an answer or maybe Alex M or Mikado.

If I have to replace a difficult to get to traction tire I use DAP silicone gasket sealant. Remove any pieces of old tire then with a dab on your finger, while running the engine upside down in a cradle, let the groove fill. Cure overnight and done. More durable than traction tires, cheaper and no need to stock different sizes. 

Doug: Do a Search here on the Forum for articulated traction tire changes. I posted last year with pictures of how I changed the traction tires on my N&W Y6b engine. It has the traction tires on the front of the engine as well. You basically need to remove the pickup rollers, then remove the axle retaining cover to allow the front driver to come up enough to remove the drive rod retaining screws. One they're out, remove the driver and install new tires. Be sure when re-installing the driver in the engine block that you orient the bearings correctly; likely one side of the bushing will have a "flat" on one side to orient it correctly.

Thanks Gerry and D&H,  I think I'll search for the previous thread first.  

For most steamers with traction tires on the rear wheels, swap the traction tire as follows:

• Remove the old tire in any way that's convenient.
• Remove the one screw holding everything together.
• Slide the traction tire past the screw's position so that it may be be mounted in the wheel's groove.
• Use your tools of choice to work the tire around the wheel into the groove. My "tools" are one finger and a very small, flat-head screwdriver. Others favor a pair of dental picks. Your engine, your choice.

Regardless, it's generally not at all necessary to remove the running gear itself.

Hi Doug 

i just saw this post , and I haven't read all the replies above. I just worked on this same engine and I had to change the tires. First off all the hex screws and bolts were locked in with some kind of thread lock. I told my customer it's best to just change the rear tires because the front are a Bit** unless he wanted me to work on the front tires for a couple of hours. Anyone I know just changes the rear tires and leaves the front alone. What I usually do is just clean the front tires with  denatured alcohol and they will still have some traction. To change the rear tires you must take out the hex bolt and also the hex bolt on the next driver. Then you will be able to move the running gear aside and slip on a traction tire. When you reinstall the running gear the rear drive gear will slip into place and seat itself. You will feel it seat into place 

Alex 

Have an MTH Cab Forward sitting on the shelf for about a year now.  Fixing the traction tire problem requires disassembling the locomotive apparently, so it can just keep sitting there looking dead.

I hope Whoever designed this is still looking for a job!

Got it done!