MPC ALCO trucks

I just replace the sheet metal part of the truck, part number 1055-52. You will also need the stud, #CP-58.

I use a flat bladed screw driver between the tread of the wheel and the sheet metal frame to pry the pieces apart. I go a little at a time, moving the screwdriver from wheel to wheel, using all four wheels. That way the sheet metal part comes up straight, and does not damage anything.

Your truck must have had a lot of use without lubrication.
I have seen plenty of postwar trucks with the wear you describe, but not modern era trucks.
In the modern era they folded over the edge of the sheet metal to create a larger bearing surface.

I suppose you could attach a strip of metal across that folded over piece.

I clean out any gunk / old lubricant, and use Labelle 106 grease to  lubricate the axle ends on reassembly.

To reassemble, just squeeze together.

C W Burfle posted:

I just replace the sheet metal part of the truck, part number 1055-52. You will also need the stud, #CP-58.

I use a flat bladed screw driver between the tread of the wheel and the sheet metal frame to pry the pieces apart. I go a little at a time, moving the screwdriver from wheel to wheel, using all four wheels. That way the sheet metal part comes up straight, and does not damage anything.

Your truck must have had a lot of use without lubrication.
I have seen plenty of postwar trucks with the wear you describe, but not modern era trucks.
In the modern era they folded over the edge of the sheet metal to create a larger bearing surface.

I suppose you could attach a strip of metal across that folded over piece.

I clean out any gunk / old lubricant, and use Labelle 106 grease to  lubricate the axle ends on reassembly.

To reassemble, just squeeze together.

Well, once again you were correct. This must be a modern era truck, it does ..... make that used to .... have the folded over edges. But as you can see in the photo, there was no lube used here - the metal is so thin on the folded over "bearing" surface that it is now almost gone - jagged on the edge! Although a new one from Jeff is only $1.25, shipping drives that up, so I may have to wait until I place another larger order to amortize the cost a bit.

The 1055-52 plates are natural (greyish-silver) on original postwar. Blackened in the modern era.
Better verify that the plates are new, modern era parts. Somewhere along the line someone sent me used postwar plates that were already seriously worn.

There may also be some additional holes in the Modern era plate. They still work fine on postwar.