Lionel 1033 transformers with sloppy whistle handles

Jeff with The Train Tender  http://www.ttender.com/
has replacement centering springs (part #1033-98) that are shown in the exploded parts diagram for the 1033 in Greenberg's Repair & Operating Manual for Lionel Trains.

Ace:  Two suggestion here:  Check for the retaining nut on the under side of the whistle/directional control lever. These sometimes loosen and move downward, allowing sloppy shaft movement.  The other is the centering spring itself.  If the retain nut has loosened, the spring that centers the arm may have slipped out of position and not allowing proper return of the control arm/lever.  Usually, resnuging the retain nut after reseting the spring if necessary, will take care of the problem unless the shaft itself has been worn away by the condition and then replacement is needed.. Hope this helps, Dennis M.

Thank you both for the input. I took this 1033 transformer apart today and pressed the retaining collar (original??) on for a tighter fit, on the underside of the die-cast shaft for the whistle/directional control lever. But then it was binding the spring and shaft rotation. So I pulled the collar off with a small puller, adjusted the spring, and used a square nut that threaded onto the shaft firmly to re-secure it, and super-glued the nut. This fixed it. Also in the photo, I replaced a faulty rectifier with a stud-mount diode.

On my own layout I use RW and LW transformers. I prefer the arrangement with two buttons for whistle and direction controls, instead of the dual-action lever which is more subject to damage from rough use.

Hi Ace-

I was trying to send you a PM on this, but I couldn't find a link on your profile...

What is the make/model of that wheel puller in your picture in this thread?

Thanks!

Stro