What to do with wobbly MPC engine wheel?

Hello!

I picked up a Lionel MPC Virginian Rectifier 8659 a while back. I made the mistake of not checking the wheels right away. Suffice it to say it's too late to return it. One of the drive wheels creates quite a wobble when the engine runs at any kind of speed. I changed the tire and looked at it carefully and it definitely looks like the entire whell is wobbling. So it's not the tire.

1) What are my options if I can't find a local repairman willing to remount or replace the wheel? And if I could find someone, how much do you think it would cost? I'm trying to decide if it's worth fixing it or just selling it at a loss or put it on shelf queen status.

2) I like the MPC engines. They' re colorful and relatively inexpense for most of them, but I don't want this to happen again. Is this common?

Thank you so much for your input!

Sincerely,

Rick in Mpls.

3/16/143:30 PM

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Jim 1939OGR Forum Member

Off center wheels was quite common with MPC but is an easy fix with a wheel puller. I press a new wheel on in a bench vise, slowly of course. Another fix would be to replace the power truck.

3/16/144:12 PM

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ADCX RobOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Originally Posted by Jim 1939:

Another fix would be to replace the power truck.

The postwar Geep power truck conversion is literally a one-screw proposition and it works perfectly, as long as you are willing to overlook the difference in the number of steps between the front and rear trucks.

3/16/144:17 PM

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StratocasterOGR Forum Member

Rob and Jim,

Thank you very much for your suggestions. Would replacing the power truck simply involve the truck itself and I would reuse the existing engine? In other words, would picking up something like this be all that's needed harware wise? Or would it require a post war motor too?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LIONEL-2328-GP7-GP9-2329-RECTIFIER-400-404-BUDD-POWER-MOTOR-TRUCK-/301113814009?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item461bc82bf9#ht_1528wt_1362

Thanks again!

Rick

3/16/145:07 PM

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ADCX RobOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

That's it. One screw. The motors are the same.

3/16/145:14 PM

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ADCX RobOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

You don't even need to take the cab off, and you gain MagnTraction.

3/16/145:16 PM

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servoguyOGR Forum Member

I have straightened out wobbly wheels by using a pair of pliers to bend the axle.

3/16/145:38 PM

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ADCX RobOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Originally Posted by servoguy:

I have straightened out wobbly wheels by using a pair of pliers to bend the axle.

It won't work in this case as the axle hole is not centered in the wheel.

3/16/147:17 PM

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Jim 1939OGR Forum Member

Well you should take the cab off so you can seat the motor gear into the power truck. Yeah it can be done but 2 screws to take off the cab makes it easier.

3/16/1410:32 PM

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servoguyOGR Forum Member

Are you sure what is causing the wheel to wobble? Is the axle bent or does the wheel have the hole off center? If the axle is bent, you can fix it by bending it straight, but if the wheel has the hole off center, then the wheel should be replaced.

3/16/1411:17 PM

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StratocasterOGR Forum Member

Rob, Mike, Jim and ServoGuy,

Thank you all. I will re-examine the wheel and axle carefully before I decide what to do. Thank you all for all the great ideas!

Rick, Mpls.

3/17/149:15 AM

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