MTH Diesel Set Chattering/Stuttering

I'm confused as to exactly what you think is too tight?  Are you saying the wheels on the axle are pressed in too far?

 

Wheel pullers for available for locomotive wheels if that's the question.

 Yes, NWSL makes one that I know of. Someone reported that they could do it using a vise and some steel strips, and a punch I believe.

 You should also get a gauge so you know when the wheels are spaced correctly. Seeing how you had taken the motor out, if you were up to doing that again you could check to see where the binding is coming from hopefully? Before you go through with this.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, the wheels are pressed in too far causing them to put the gearing  in a slight bind against the motor block. Once the other three (in the two A units) motors get the wheels turning, the motor on the binding wheels then starts to spin.

 

Would like to buy a wheel puller if someone can recommend a good one.

I agree with Joe, I'd check the wheel spacing before pulling on them.  I find it a bit surprising that the wheel spacing is off, that's very unusual.

I have an MTH E-6 set that seems to have the same problem (the E-6's have the same trucks as the E-8's). When both A units are hooked up together, the slave A will stutter and the two units will slam back and forth against each other until 8 - 10 SMPH when they will smooth out. Observing slow speed operation, one of the slave unit's motors appears locked up or at least starts and stops frequently while the other 3 motors are running in sync. The motor that locks up is directional dependent. If the A-A set is going in the forward direction, the truck under the slave's nose locks up. If the set is going in the reverse direction the truck under the slave's rear locks up. The slow speed operation of the master A unit running by itself is fine. I have:

• Hooked the master E-6A unit to a DL110 slave and they run together fine.
• Taken the slave motors out looking for binding in the trucks and found none. Ran the slave without the motors and no binding in the trucks was observed.
• Replaced one of the slave's motors with no improvement.
• Replaced the slave's board with what seemed a little improvement.

The wheelsets are gauged properly.

 

Finally, I backed off the screw that holds the truck to the motor a couple of turns. That allowed the motor to rock back and forth just a little in relationship to the truck block. That seemed to cure the problem. The two units run fine together now and smooth out at around 3 SMPH just like any other MTH set. My concern now is since the truck screw isn't tight, it will eventually back itself out due to normal vibration and contact the pickup roller directly below it. All my other MTH engines have the truck screw screwed in tightly and don't show any binding problem.

 

I seemed to have fixed the symptom, but really haven't found the cause of the problem. Has anyone else experienced this on MTH E-6 or E-8 sets?

 

Ken

 

I have seen this before also.  But the issue was too much play.  For that I used a shim. G

I had similar problem with a driver wobbling on a new MTH K-4 some years ago but returned it to the dealer and her sent me a new replacment. Wheel pullers are available online but if there's a local hobby shop with a repairman in your area you may be better to bring it. They probably wont charge much to just slightly space it. You can also make one from a car battery terminal puller. You can search online for instructions or maybe someone here in the forum may be able to post them. Don't run the engine if the wheel is too tight until you correct the problem since you can burn out the motor and eventually wear the gears down.

Where did you install the shim?

Thanks for the info gentlemen. It's a start.   Joe

Split a thrust washer of the right width and place it between wheel and block on axle on the side that will ensure the gear stays centered.  G

I have a Legacy SD-80 that needed spacers.  Without them, the one truck gears could move to almost totally miss!  I take bread closure tabs, cut them to size, and slip them on the axle, they work perfect for spacers.

Thank you Susan Deats for providing a source for a great wheel puller at a reasonable price. Much appreciated.   Joe

kanawha;

First, swish the screw in some alcohol to remove any oil.

Tthen use a small drop of blue locktite on the screw threads, once it sets the screw will stay put until you toque it out or in, if you ever do break it loose, reapply the locktite.

Vibration will never move a locktited screw or bolt.

Hmm...  I wonder why she didn't post it here?