New Lionel F-7 traction tire binding

I run into that weekly.  I replace the tires with the tires from MTH.  They are made very well and fit the Lionel wheels perfect.

The traction tyre problem is easy to fix on the current F3/F7 locomotives. I've had to do this to several of mine.

The problem is normally that the truck side frame is not lined up perfectly, and as the axle floats to the side on curves, the brake shoes can touch the tyres. This is made worse if the tyres have not been fitted well.

Once the tyres have scraped on the brake shoes, it tends to wreck the tyres, so they should be replaced first. Be careful to ensure that they are fitted well, and don't have any bumps or twists. It may help to run the locomotive for a while in each direction with side frames removed. This will enable to tyres to fully bed down into their grooves.

Then, when refitting the side frames, don't tighten the screws until you are sure that the tyres don't contact the brake shoes. This can easily be done by wiggling the wheels and sliding the axles from side to side. Once you are happy that all is well, tighten up the side frame screws and all should be well. There is only a little bit of play for adjustment in the sideframes, but just enough to cause these problems if not adjusted correctly.

As for the lift rings on the battery/switch hatches. This seems to vary between road names. I noticed that my Milwaukee F7 units only had 2 rings on each cover, and I asked Mike Reagan about it. He informed me that on some models, 2 rings was correct, even though 4 holes existed in the covers. (The cover moulding is a standard part.) The two rings should be fitted diagonally if this applies to your model.

I hope that the above is of some help.  

I have had the same problem with my F7 Milwaukee Road, wheel hop tires chewed up and B power unit screaming but not moving. Marty, is there a part number for those MTH tires? Also did it get rid of all the lash up problems mentioned in these posts? My access hatch also had only two lift rings. I bought some from Lionel parts. Another problem was that the washers on the access hatch for the magnets kept falling off. A little super glue fixed that.

Paul, the part number is DE-0000018.  This is the best fix.  What Nicole stated will work for some.  The MTH tire will work for all.  The Lionel tires on some are very thick and you are dead in the water if you can not do what Nicole stated.  I have seen some where the engine tires were extra thick and the spares in the box are not.  The extra thick tires produce wheel hop like Paul mentioned.    The Lionel tire is thick and not very smooth.  The MTH tire is very well made and even thickness throughout.  This is not a slam on Lionel as I am also a Lionel guy and MTH guy.  It is something I see often.  Do it one time and it is done.

Marty, the Lionel and MTH traction tires seem to be a totally different material as well.  The Lionel ones are a dull finish rubber, and the MTH ones are a shiny plastic looking material.  As you say, they're a lot thinner than most Lionel tires. 

They fit perfectly in the groove on the Lionel wheel.

No doubt, I held one up and they're the same width as the Lionel diesel tires, just noting they're a lot thinner which probably avoids some of the fit issues.

Marty, Thanks again for your help. It's good to know that I wasn't the only one with this problem. Again, the OGR forum comes to the rescue!

Thanks for all of the suggestions.  I decided to go ahead and "simulate" a little brake pad wear on the "simulated" brakes with my Dremel tool. In addition to the brake pads being real tight with the traction tires on, there was some flashing left over in some places from the casting process that was not properly removed and this was cutting the tires as well.  A minute or two on each frame with a Dremel grinding wheel and the problem was solved.  I now have a nice F-7 ABA set (two powered and one dummy) pulling a 55 car freight train with no problems.

That gets things working if you can live with super bad riding tires.  I do buy a few Legacy locomotives.  Before I run them, I replace the tires.  I demand perfect operation and this is a must for me.

Very glad I saw this post - received new F-7s today and they were lurching right away.  And tore off one of the traction tires.  I replaced all the tires with MTH DE-18s and all was well.

How is it that Lionel is oblivious to this issue?

(Also the doors on the side of the bodies are also not painted with the same paint as the bodies...)

Me too, but I've only gotten a couple that had issues with traction tires binding.  I must admit, several appear to have thicker tires than necessary, but they've run fine so I've left them.  I think I'll order another batch of the traction tires from MTH.

I run into this often with the American Flyer diesel locomotives.  The factory tires are loose to start with and not well made.  We just got in a big bag of replacements and they are tight fitting and very well made.  They look like the very well made MTH tires.