Need Traction tires for Premier Challenger 20-3167-1. Before I try and attempt to get through to MTH. Does GGG, Marty, or any of the other MTH guys have them?
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Changing the tires on the MTH Challenger is a HUGE PIA ... at least on the one I have. Disassemble the entire valve/rod gear setup to get at the wheel. And then fight to get it all back together correctly. PIA PIA PIA ...
I've had a rash of tire failures of late. It's easy ordering from Lionel, not so much from MTH.
Last "new" traction tires I received from MTH Service were obviously very old and had a lot of little crazing/cracks, after waiting weeks for them. Didn't use them.
I have some in stock if interested.
OK, I'm going to suggest an old idea that was bouncing around this site for about ten years and that is silicone adhesive. Try a search for silicone wheel fuller. It comes in a tube in different colors, such as black, gray and blue.
It dries tough and rubbery and stays in the tire groves just fine. I have used this on some engines and it worked better then the rubber tires and seems to last a lot longer.
There is a big draw back, neatness. I placed my engines up side down in a foam cradle, applied AC power via alligator clips and placed the silicone in the grove using a small common (flat head) screw driver. The wheels need to turn slowly and application needs to be exact. It is important that you take care not to smear the adjoining drive assemblies.
I did a little of that the first time, but was able to clean up the mess with a little patience.
If you do this remember that the wheel track face surface needs to be as high as the silicone goes. If not you may get a little bounce in your engine.
Let it set up over night before operation. A coating of "Bull Frog Snot" gives the manufactured tire a harder surface to run on.
A tube of silicone and a jar of Bull Frog snot will do hundreds of wheels.
Like I said neatness is very important, but it sure beats changing those tires.
Good luck in what ever you decide to do.
Takes 27 size. I have them if you need them.
email in profile.
Gary, I have them. It is a n easy job to change them. I have seen more MTH traction tires than most. I have never seen new traction tires that are cracked. I would love to see a photo. I have new tires that came with the very first MTH locomotives and they are still factory new.
Marty Fitzhenry posted:Gary, I have them. It is a n easy job to change them. I have seen more MTH traction tires than most. I have never seen new traction tires that are cracked. I would love to see a photo. I have new tires that came with the very first MTH locomotives and they are still factory new.
Great Marty,
When we meet up next month I'll buy two sets.
