I have replacement couplers for a broken coupler on a S-2 switcher. How the heck do you replace them. I've taken the frame off the couplers but can't figure out how to put the new couplers on. Thanks Don
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I don't think you can replace the coupler. Isn't it molded into the truck frame? I think you need to replace the whole truck.
Where did you get replacement couplers?
No but you have to somehow take the coupler apart without braking it to get it on. I have extra new trucks without couplers also. I got the couplers from Brasseur Electric Trains. http://www.traindoctor.com/ They bought all of the original K-line parts. I have a number of extra new powered trucks I got on E-bay. Don
Not sure at what point you are having the problem, but take the four screws out of the top plate. The coupler is on a post, pull up and twist 90 degrees to release the T shape tang and pull through the slot. Repeat in reverse to reassemble.
Vulcan, yes you can absolutely replace the coupler.
Don, after you do what chuck mention, there's one more important step. The coupler is held into the round mounting post via the plastic coupler armature (the piece with the thumbtack in it). If you cannot pop the piece out easily from the bottom using a flat head screw driver, you will want to use a very small flat head screw driver and push it loose from the top of the mounting post.
Where the coupler armature snaps into this mounting post, you'll see it is split like a "V." Use the small screw driver to compress the "V" and then push the armature out.
If the coupler armature does not pop out easily, you can actually break it loose from the mounting piece of the armature that goes into the round mounting post.
One more tip from experience. One your replacement coupler, you'll see the plastic " centering spring" piece, which has a molded "T" shape on the very end of it. This is a pain to work into the slot without breaking the whole thing loose from the coupler. My trick which works, is to use a razor blade and cut one part of the "T" off, making it look like an "L" only upside down. This will make reassembly much easier, while still allowing the plastic "centering spring" to still function properly.
One more tip. You can also replace the K-Line coupler with one from RMT from either their S-4 or RMT Buddy - as it appears to me that the same coupler is used on both models. This part is not on their website yet, so you could try calling Walter. Or if you saw a beater or one that was so cheap that you could use that to strip for part.
That last point is something I do. If I see something so cheap, I will often get it to strip for parts, as usually ordering the parts separately will far exceed the cost of the complete unit.
One more point on the RMT couplers... they are VERY stiff and do not swing left to right nearly as easily as the K-Line couplers do. Not a big problem unless you are running on 027 track with some "S" curve configurations. The RMT locos will derail the first following train car, unless it is a heavier weight car with diecast trucks.
Hope I could help.
Thank you Brianel, yes it helps a lot. At first I thought that little pin was a screw from the top. I will try to push it out. That sounds like it will do the trick. Thanks so much. Don
