Lionel 682 Re-Assy of 6 wheel truck

Just a thought but maybe you ought to look at the Lionel replacement parts page for this model (I could not track it down from the description you give) and see whether your side clips are in fact back in the shape that they should be, failing that get replacements if they sell them separate from the truck assembly. They look to me like they will only fit in one way and were probably not meant to be pulled out.

Olsen's web site has a picture of the truck in the 671 service document, but they don't have any specifics of how it all fits together.

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/671-46.htm

Usually someone on the forum can help on your type of question. You may want to put the engine number in the title of your post, that way the PW experts  will have a better chance to see it and help you. 

good luck!

They get pressed back into place. May need to tap them home with a hammer and punch.

Larry

The retaining clips are the same, no left or right. Carefully flatten out with a small hammer. Insert one clip in the truck frame and use a small side cutter to crimp the 2 tangs to the truck sideframe. Needlenose pliers won't work as there is very small space to work. You will need to use some force to crimp the retainer tight enough. Next insert the wheels, this needs to be done before you insert the opposite side, as the sideframe won't flex, just break in two if you try to replace the wheels after you installed the 2nd retainer. If you can't get the clips tight enough, a little JB Weld will hold them in place. These were originally crimped by a machine, so it is going to be a little difficult to get them tight.

thanks guys, that explains why I was having so much difficulty.

Well if you keep at a problem long enough, then just maybe it can be solved. I took some of the comments and then sat down and did an engineering approach- I love to build machinery, and tried to figure out how I would do the clips. Straighten the top out so it is flat again with a small hammer, gently, just as was advised. Then straighten the curved clip ends out to a 90 degrees with the top flat bar. Push into place, then the ends of the 2 clips stick out about 3/32, take a pair of pliers and pinch the clips into the closed position. Taking them off is the reverse, just spread the clip ends at the bottom and then pull the whole clip out.