I had actually tried this same fix on my K-Line GG1 prior to learning about the springs and washers available from Lionel. I used thin steel washers from Lowes ( they have cabinets of unusual hardware across the aisle from the normal bolts, screws, etc. section). The problem I had was that I could not find an appropriate spring to sandwich between the washers. The conical spring from Lionel works perfectly. After adapting both trucks on my Lionel GG1, I only had 1 spring left. I used it on 1 K-Line truck with the steel washers which saved me reaming out the Lionel bakelite washers. I have only modified one truck so far. Will try to do the other truck this week.
I can't say that this fix will work as well on the K-line engines. After the modification, the truck has more downward tension then before, but the truck seems to have a greater tendency to wiggle vertically, front to back, than the Lionel
truck. Still, I think it provides some level of improvement in the tracking of the K-line trucks. The cost, with shipping, for the parts was about $20.00. Half the cost was shipping. Not a bad investment to keep these rascals on the rails.
