Lionel uni-body Domino Sugar tank car truck removal

That’s the part number for a caboose. Which is the screw hole? The truck looks like it is pivoting on a rivet.

Sorry I posted the wrong product number.  The proper number is: 6-17964.  The threaded screw hole (I removed the screw to see if I could manipulate the truck assembly from the body) that is located about 1" from the truck assembly.

It can be done. To replace the trucks, you must initially remove the two end caps (disassemble) in addition to removing the underside screws. It can be easy or frustrating depending upon old adhesive or tight parts.

The truck assembly does pivot on a rivet that is probably secured by an E clip located on the underside of the truck assembly.  The whole truck assembly must be removed in some fashion from the bottom side of the tank car to access the backside of the rivet to release its retainer.  Other Lionel truck assemblies on different freight cars could be released easily by removing a screw and sliding the truck assembly away from the car.

Das Boot,

I thought about that idea but the end caps seem to be thoroughly sealed and too difficult to remove.  As you are very aware, I do not want to damage the tank car by improperly removing the end caps by force.  That is why I was asking the community if anyone knew an easy manner to access the underside of the truck assemblies to remove them from the main body.  Do you have any suggestions or methodology to remove the end caps properly.

Find another car and buy it.

@J611Man posted:

Das Boot,

I thought about that idea but the end caps seem to be thoroughly sealed and too difficult to remove.  As you are very aware, I do not want to damage the tank car by improperly removing the end caps by force.  That is why I was asking the community if anyone knew an easy manner to access the underside of the truck assemblies to remove them from the main body.  Do you have any suggestions or methodology to remove the end caps properly.

You are right, the caps can be a pain to remove. Having kit bashed several of these Lionel cars in the past, the caps (unless they have been glued) will release from the main shell. Depending upon the model and year manufactured, you normally have to disassemble most of the car. It will take time and patience to complete.

FREIGHTRAIN JIM

I love your solution!!  If the car was mine, I would try to fix it.  But if I failed and screwed up the car, I probably would find another type of tank car that was more feasible to repair upon failure.  This car is a friends tank car that he dropped onto the a hard floor and damaged the trucks.  I thought I could fix it for him without too much difficulty but that does not look too feasible now.  Thanks for the comment.