How Do I Access Worm Gear On Certain Engines?

Maybe a toothpick or small plastic infant or baby oral syringe can help you to reach the gears that need greasing.

Also it would help to know what brand of engine you need to service, as somebody may know a service tip or two to help you. My guess is that these are Lionel engines?

Lee Fritz

You may need to take the motor out to access the worm gear from inside the truck.

Larry

Yes, these are Lionel engines, both newer Legacy engines.  (Sorry for double-posting the pictures).

Some of the engines are really  difficult to access for lubrication.  Fortunately, they seem to be so well constructed and pre-lubed that they run along almost forever without much wear.

But if you do want to get into them, and you probably should periodically, you will need to remove the trucks from the frame, remove the motors from the gearbox/truck assembly, clean out the old dried lubricant and install fresh lube.  You will probably need to unsolder the power wire from the rollers, maybe some other connections, too.   I like to use a white grease from a spray can because the lube when it comes out of the can has a lot of propellent in it and it runs better into those difficult crevasses, and then it hardens and stays in place.   Don't forget to lube the obvious exposed spur gears, too.

Paul Fischer