MTH stock car coupler problems.

Tom

 

99% of the time this is the issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 This two pics below shows the culprit. If there is too much play it can cause the coupler to open. Insure the mounting screw is tight and there is no play. or slightly bend the end below the claw slightly upward. This will put a little more pressure on the coupler and will keep it from moving around. Easy fix

 

Doug

 

 

 

 

Thanks Doug. I bent the part as you recommended and the coupler is now staying closed under a load. It seems though that this fix did not correct the coupling problem. It still won't couple when pushed against other cars. I have to still physically engage the coupler by hand. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this?

http://youtu.be/pSBnKZ8xKuw

Was it closing on its own before the fix?

No. It has never worked right.

Ironically after replying to this post, the couplers on some of my N&W coal cars opened unexpectedly. Rubber bands fixed the problem.

For closing issues, I've taken couplers apart and polished all the mating surfaces.  That makes them close very easily.  I've also noted that some K-Line car couplers are shaped a bit different and don't always close properly when trying to couple to other brand cars.  Lionel, MTH, Atlas, Williams all seem to play pretty well together.