How to replace supermotor brushes without taking wheels off

Photos of the motor please.

what's the engine item number old post war?

Alan

It's from a standard gauge lionel 318.  This is the supermotor with the wheels attached.  The motor does run.  I have since attached the forward/reverse switch and lubricated everything.  It runs forward and reverse but on my CW-80 transformer, I need to raise the lever about half way to get the motor to run.  I thought maybe the brushes would be a place to start.  the armature is clean.  I sprayed it down with electronics cleaner.  I don't see alot of carbon on there anyway.  the wheels are original and decent for my purposes.  Should I leave this alone?

Before I would take anything apart, I would try again with a different transformer.  The much-maligned CW-80 is a poor choice for postwar, much less Standard Gauge.  A Z-1000, maybe.  CW-80, never!

Very slowly!!! Ease the bracket out so the brushes touch each other or they may go flying off in space never to be seen again!

when replacing use a small bladed flat screw driver between the brushes and line up the brushes with the commutator, twist the driver a little as you apply pressure. When the brushes are on the out side of the commutator remove the driver and press the rest of the way on. Be sure to line up the bevel in the brush with the round of the commutator.

John

The original brushes generally had a hole drilled in the so they are retained when the brush holder is removed and reinstalled.  Otherwise;

When you remove the brush holder, you will see a tab next to each brush tube.  Using a dental pick, pull the spring back and hook it on the tab.  I like to contour the brush to match the diameter of the commutator with a round file. But, be sure the edge of the brushes are contoured such that they do not catch the edge of the segments of the commutator  (use a file larger than the diameter of the commutator).  With the springs hooked, carefully reinstall the brushplate and use narrow needle nose pliers to insert new brushes, orienting them so they match the commutator.  Use your dental pick to release the spring.

Done this many times, including a Super motor in a #8 last night.

The screw holding the brush holder in place is horizontal (parallel to the wheel axles) and faces the armature and there is no direct access hole to slide a screwdriver through either side of the motor frame to reach the screw.  It would have to be a right angle screwdriver and a very shallow one at that to access the screw between the sides of the frame. 

Screw should be on the outside between the wheels? Sounds like someone put in backwards!?

No.  This is what I have.  I was referring to the screws on the other side of the brush plate holding the brush holders and motor terminals in place (or at least I thought they were).  So if I understand correct, if I remove this screw circled below, then the entire brush plate should slide down off the shaft of the motor, but the brushes will likely spring toward each other and fall out.  Then I'm supposed to insert new brushes into the holders, spread them apart, and shove the whole brush plate assembly up around the shaft and reinstall the screw.  Is that correct?

I’m a firm believer that if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!
If it runs, I’d leave well enough alone.

The commutator is clean and you can see the brushes sticking out past the tube. Just get a better transformer and enjoy running your 318.
my 2 cents

John

Someone (probably here) suggested fashioning a narrow a piece of wood (stick) approx. the same width as the commutator and several inches long; simply press this piece up against the comm while removing the brush assembly. The brushes will stay in place due to the wood and all will be well. It sounds more complicated than it really is, but it works!  If I can find the one I made, I'll post a picture...

Mark in Oregon