Traction Tire Replacement on Lionel 6-39548 F3 powered B unit

Larry - Since your model was released in 2013-14 it may not have screws to remove the truck side frames. If that proves to be the case the simplest way to change the traction tires - in my opinion - is simply to use paper clips. For illustrations of how to do this do a Search on this Forum of 'Changing traction tires made easy, simple and quick with right tools, new video'.  It requires some patience but it works because I've done it with my older F3s that don't have the removable side frames.  😊

PS - Be sure to watch the 2nd video that 'GHD' posted, although in both videos he's simply emphasizing how to get the new tires properly seated without having them 'fold' underneath the wheel.

Clearly, the side frames are removable. #41 are the screws, and #49 are the removable sideframes.  The only question is, are the screws on the bottom of the truck where you can reach them or on the top where you have to drop the truck to get at them.

Right you are John. I am guessing I will have to figure out how to drop the trucks unless I can get the paper clip method to work.    It looks like there are screw heads on the top.  I am disappointed in Lionel for listing the wrong method in the manual for the AA set, but I am certain I or this group can figure out the best way to drop the trucks. Then it will be easy.

On certain diesels with "LionDrive," you just twist the whole truck and it disconnects from the chassis.  The motor is attached ot the chassis and remains inside.  I'm not sure when Lionel introducted this design, so proceed with caution...

There aren't Liondrive trucks.

There's a top plate as well.  And, sad to say, the screws are on the top.  The sideframes appear to be swaged to this plate, and the screws are on the corner to remove the whole assembly.  Needless to say, you have to drop the trucks to get to the screws.

I am finding this unit most interesting. So far I have not found a proper way to remove the shell. The four screws at the ends do not appear to hold anything except the step, but they do not want to turn anyway. You tube has nothing obvious. I will keep researching. There has to be something fairly obvious I am overlooking.

I have found a guess on how to drop the trucks from one of John 's old answers, but he does suggest removing the shell as well.

I also need to try the paper clip method mentioned above to change the tires.

Certainly a chance to learn something new.

I am happy to report this issue is resolved.  Many thanks to gunrunnerjohn for many tips.

I was not able to figure out the paper clip tools suggested by PH1975, even when I found the videos.

I ended up dropping the trucks from a tip by gunrunnerjohn in another column. Once the trucks were down, it was easy to remove the sideframes and replace the tires. Getting the trucks back up was another issue. I was never able to remove the body.  The problem was getting the vertical motors stabilized so the screw holding the trucks would go in. I took a 6 in metal ruler and bent it into a tool to hold the motor still and it went just fine. I did find out the hard way the trucks can be over-tightened.

I have the entire A-B-A set with 4 motors working well, at least for now.  Sometime I will want to figure out how to remove the body. Motors occasionally need to be serviced.

Hard to believe you can't get the shell off, there are six small screws, two near the front, and four toward the back.  After that, the shell should lift right off.

One thing that troubles me.  AFAIK, it's impossible to over-tighten the motor mount screw, what you're seeing suggests something misaligned.  This alone is a good reason to take the shell off and see what is happening.

Gunrunnerjohn, you have a good point about a misaligned motor. I dropped the rear truck again and I am working on the issue.  My tool does not work on the rear motor like it did on the front. I am suspicious of the screw coming all the way out now when it did not before, but that is something I need to work through. The unit is not working properly again, but I have not seen the cause yet. A missing lock washer is possible.

I like the information about the front and rear screws, but I do not see them. The only screws I see are the two front and two rear holding the step plate. I thought there might be something under the step plate, but the screws seam to prefer disintegration to removal. The other screws (four front and two rear) hold switches. Are those the six screws you are referring to?

I am posting pictures of what I see (two from with the truck in place and one rear with the truck removed). Your experienced eyes may see something I am missing.

Thanks

Shell is probably held on like a postwar F3 (since it basically uses the same tooling). Look for a screw in each end door. Remove them. Shell should come off.

Well, Lou1985, this is an example of why I am balding in front with a flat forehead. I looked at your posting and the unit. I slapped my forehead and said "How could I be so stupid." I looked over the top, sides and bottom  multiple times. I stupidly never looked at the ends. Two simple screw removals, slide the shell a little, and it comes right off. The problems with the ABA are not fixed. The B unit works fine by itself, and then can jam for apparent reason. The powered A unit was jammed when the B unit jammed. I can remove the shell and turn the motor by hand. However, the A unit now jams frequently without the B unit when powering a long heavy consist.

I do not have all the answers. I will take time working with these two units and studying and figure it out. It could be simple (like screws in the end doors) or more  complicated. Most likely cause was locking up when traction tires came off when I tried to run a lashup.

Between Lou1985 and gunrunnerjohn I  think I have what I need to know to tackle it.

I also have a separated wire from the coupler. I will need to get a better soldering iron with a fine point and improve my skill, but not having the coupler is a minor inconvenience compared to having the unit jam and stop.

The traction tires are functioning just fine.