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Restoring tension to pickup rollers on an MPC ALCO

E EilifOGR Forum Member

I've got a Lionel MPC ALCO that is sparking alot. I think this is because there is not enough pressure pushing the pickup rollers down on the middle rail. It seems to be due to the copper strip not having enough spring in that direction.  It seems like I should remove it and flip it. 

Which leads me to the following questions.

1-Have I likely diagnosed the problem correctly?  If so....

2-Is flipping the copper strip the best way to fix this? If so...

3- How do I get the copper strip out and back in?

If any of my assumptions are wrong let me know how to proceed.  

Any links to videos or pics that show the repair process would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Karl

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ADCX RobADCX RobOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

This is the 8030-100 motor truck, but it's the same otherwise...

Remove the rollers(w/o further distorting the spring):

Flex the spring UP in the center off the plastic locating standoff:

Slide the spring towards the fuel tank clearing the front crossmember:

Slide the spring forward toward the coupler:

And now it's free of the motor truck, secured only by the wire:

The spring should actually be quite straight across it's entire length until the slight bend that presses on the back of the rollers:

The installed spring w/o rollers should just give a little tension against the crossmembers:

Reverse the procedure to reinstall the spring.

Last edited by ADCX Rob
E EilifOGR Forum Member

Spring is back in (gave it just a touch of back bend) and I cleaned up the wheels and contacts and it's running quite well now.  Still just an occasional spark but I'm going to clean the wheels again and the track and I think it will all be hunky dory.  Going to surprise my son with it as it's been out of action since last Christmas. 

Thanks again Rob!

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