Lionel 6-18281 Dash 9 rear truck removal

You have to remove a second screw on top of the truck block. Insert the screw driver down through the slot in the frame through which the pickup wires pass. There may even be a small "notch" in the top of the arched slot. This basically disassembles the truck block and the drive wheels will be released. But it will let you  drop the bottom of the truck block and service the coupler. Pay close attention to properly reseat the wheels when reassembling the truck. There also may be a small bearing in which the worm gear seats. Reseat that as well if it comes out.

RM

Rich,

Thanks - I found the screw (beneath a small notch) after I removed the smoke unit. I also had to remove the collector assembly because the retaining screw and insulator will prevent the motor block separating from the truck.

It's all done now and ready for testing at the weekend

I have to change the couplers to Electro-Couplers on a Lionel DASH 9.

I need to figure this out exactly right the first time.

Andrew

Some of the Lionel trucks are a PITA, you take the extra screw(s) out and the truck falls apart, gears and wheels spread around.  When you put them back together again, you have to make sure the axle bushings have the flats in the right spot or the truck won't go together again.

John,

That job was a total pain, I hope I don't have to do another for a while.

Frank

Yep, I got spoiled by the MTH trucks, just take one screw out and it's in your hand.   Some Lionel trucks are like that, but others seem to have been designed as a permanent attachment to the frame!

Lionel should design their diesel truck frame motors like the way MTH has them designed. Quick, simple and easy to remove and re-assembly. Lionel diesels from the the early 2000's are a PITA to work on.

Well, the newer twist-off trucks are pretty easy.  Too bad they screwed up the design of the integrated connector, that gets buggered up far too frequently.

I share your pain. I recently had to disassemble a 2002 CN Dash 9, 6-18289, to re attach a loose truck drive motor. The silly part is you have to remove both pickup roller attachment screws from the top, then the motor collar attachment screw from the bottom, before it will come apart, and the roller attachment screws are a bear to get to. A really stupid design IMO. Hope I never have to do one again.

Rod