LDBennett posted:Menards coupler problem:
The problem was in the mechanism that latches the coupler closed. I slightly bent the tang that triggers the magnetic uncoupling so it had more free play and the problem was solved.
Last year I bought a bunch of Menards cars and a few suffered this coupler problem. Menards also suggest SuperGlue. I thought that excessive so I took them apart to see what the problem was.
The problem was in the mechanism that latches the coupler closed. I slightly bent the tang that triggers the magnetic uncoupling so it had more free play and the problem was solved.
The couplers use a spring loaded knuckle nose held in place buy a latch triggered by a sheet metal plate that extends under the truck for electromagnetic uncoupling. It is much like the trigger in a gun where the sear holds the trigger cocked. The plate only needed a slight bend to move the plate a bit more away to force that plate to have to move farther to release the knuckle. It was a simple fix once I determined how it was suppose to work. Of the ten Menards cars, only three had the problem. After fixing those three all have been fine and the couplers hold in even the longest trains.
I have detailed pictures to add to this but posting them here is a problem for me. If you want them email me at ldbennett1@verizon.net . Once fixed they work as intended. Any of the other solutions mentioned above are poor fixes when all that is necessary is a simple adjustment.
LDBennett
Email sent if you don't get it mine is in my profile
