E clip for Lionel trucks

I have never seen them in stores, most places have never heard of them, you might have better luck with the e clips.  I would take a truck with you when you go and go to a fastener company, and look for them there.  How many do you need???

Marty

I needed 1.  I was fixing a 2400 series car last week & had to take the truck off. the clip went flying & havent seen it since.

I can send you about 10 of them if that will help.  They are silverish in color, not black...

Marty

Sure. That would be great!!!  Doesn't matter the color  The original was silver too. I have no idea where it went.  I looked for a while too & but it never turned up.  How much do you want for them?

The horseshoe clips are normally blued steel, the E-clips are the ones that are light in color, they look like an E.

Here's an E-Clip

This would be a Horseshoe clip.  The Lionel ones are not quite that shape, but you get the idea.

Oh, then I guess it's the E clip that I need for the truck

I will email you off line for your address...

Marty

In my experience, Lionel used horse shoe washers more frequently than E-rings on postwar rolling stock. Typically black horse shoe washers were used, with the occasional silver (natural) colored horse shoe washer.
Today, both silver and black ones are available from many of the Lionel parts dealers.

Horse shoe washers will often snap after being opened and closed a few times.

I tried to find a source outside the train world for these washers a while back. I found that the best deal is buying them in bulk from the Train Tender. Here is a shot of horseshoe washers from the Trainz web site. 

Christopher, you can get e clips at most home stores and hardware stores. Measure the outside diameter of the post and get an e clip for that size. The actual size will be smaller to fit the groove.

Any good Ace hardware store will have these in assorted sizes in their cardboard drawer rack. You might have to bring the car with you to check for the right size. If you find them, get some spares to keep on hand.

Yep, ACE is where I found what I needed too.

Rob

Truthfully, I replace the horseshoe clips with the E-clips anyway, they're much more robust.

I had to go into my train toolbox this morning, to get an E clip to fix my Waffle Iron.

Brad

If you like to squirrel away a good assortment of spare parts, Harbor Freight might stock these (along with other common hardware) at a reasonable price.  Watch for markdown sales prices.