Williams By Bachmann locos squealing when stopping

Mine does the same thing if not eased to a stop.  I always thought it was the tires.

If you returned it for a significant squeal, Id say you have a gripe.

If its just a little squeak tough. you could say its brake squeal, because that is just as likely its only plastic vibration, and here to stay at least a while.

I have a Lionel 0-4-0 mpc, that squealed for years on startup, but thinking on it, it stopped! My WbB BL-2 was silent.

 

  The most common issue with other Bachmann products in general seems to be gear cracks at the axle boss/hole. They can cause squeal, and can be hard to spot. They usually offer a free set if there is a model run issue, and high supply, even if they haven't cracked yet. All bearing type areas should be checked for play. I would also try and determine if excessive thrust, or run out, is present at the motor shaft

 

My Bachmann experiences have varied (though no O yet).

 That said, it was frustrating. But actually better, and friendlier than most customer services I've dealt with in life.

 

  So contact "customer service" if its that bad a gripe.

(Be nice, but firm and truthful in your feelings about the case).

 Parts for ordering, & rma info (the nice lady that normally answered phones)(to get yelled at constantly)(but was so nice).

 Techs I've talked to. You may need to too now. But I try to leave them alone to fix things.

My Emails have been answered by many there, so I don't know who does that normally. but it is the best way to start every contact.

I get the feeling everyone there helps out when, where, and as needed. 

E-mail should include a day phone number too, and then make a phone follow up if necessary.

Specific notes attached to the train so they issues aren't missed, mixed up, or skipped.

 

SJC,

In the past the flywheels would become just loose enough that they would slip and squeal upon stopping. Try coming to a gradual stop. If the noise stops, there's your problem.

Once the cause is determined a fix can be found to address the problem.

CK,

Please see my response sbove.

Thanks for the info folks. Sorry for not getting back sooner. So basically this is caused (likely) by a loose flywheel? Seems like it has happened/happens on every WBB engine I have seen. Good to know. Any long term effects with this? 

The only disadvantages long term are a few. 1) Eventually the upper shaft on the motor could become out of round and wear the flywheel opening into a egg shape. This would render the flywheel useless. At this point you would need to replace the entire assembly, motor and flywheel. 2) When the flywheel becomes almost useless you could experience derailments almost anytime when stopping, especially on a curve.

 

I would suggest that you contact, Frank Timko. He can make permanent repairs while it still early in the game. Rather than having to replace the entire assembly. Frank is a real genius...IMHO 

 If it is the flywheel, loose, but not egged. I simply would try pressing it off, and then back on, using Loctite red first, not glues. Many Loctite products will harden, then re-soften with mild heat if you have to remove it later (normally, they will remain tacky enough to keep threads from turning when hot too).

But any egging would require trueing run outs, to avoid being out of balance bad.

 

I would think a new flywheel could be found, or even made, pretty easy. 

 Timko's got a rep. for outstanding work, but turnaround times will vary with workloads. He also does some cool motor retrofit parts/work.