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Guys,

One can easily swap 3 rail for 2 rail axles and vice versa in the non spinner Atlas O sideframes...But how do you remove Atlas O spinner axles from their sideframes (and not loose all the springs) as the axles go thru them? Anyone?

Thanks.

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Last edited by Trinkle-Trains
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Engineer-Joe posted:

Nope, not me. I have to mess with those springs. Someone (Matt?) posted a thought to thread them with sewing thread before you take them out.

Yes Joe, Thank you! I appreciate the response.  I changed out wheels on a set.  Short answer is: you can't.  You have to mess with springs. Not worth it.  With Atlas O spinners its whole truck swap or nothing.  End of thread.

It can be done with patience foremost, the thread trick thru the spring will work, you can accomplish the same thing by using a straight pin or needle to prevent the spring from ejecting into an unknown part of the universe as well. Steady your nerves before you begin as you need to only remove one side frame to change out the wheels and axles. Its not a bad idea to have some extra springs on hand, I have used some Kadee centering springs as replacements since over the years some of mine are still floating somewhere in space. Best of luck. Another trick would be to place the truck inside a glad sandwich bag and carefully remove the springs from one side frame, that way if one takes off you will hopefully capture it in the bag. Best Regards; Gene

 

Rick, now that you got some practice, maybe you could put those tiny springs into these PSC trucks I'm working on. I just installed real bearings inside and had to play with the tiny rivets in the kit. So I don't have anything left to install the springs!

DSC_0690

Doesn't anyone make modern RTR 3 axle RB HD trucks to put under my Atlas 68' flats to haul 2 Abrams A1 tanks?

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I've done it for 3-rail conversion on cars I was selling. (There's an irony here if you now my sordid history) You have to be very careful but even if you just remove one of the side frames and deal with the springs it's not that bad. I've done it both ways and it isn't as difficult to put them back as you might think.

  1. Remove the truck cross bar. This allows the trucks to flex -- a lot. By the way, if you put the screws back but leave out the cross bar the trucks will equalize a bit. Your springs won't be at risk since they don't move that far.
  2. Remove the bearing caps and put them somewhere where they won't run away. It's a bear trying to find them when they fall on the floor.
  3. When tweaking/removing the side frames, do this inside a large food storage bag. It will catch the springs if they fly loose and try to escape.
  4. Gently twist/spread the side frames on one end. Hopefully you can free one end of the axle and get it out. Remove the axle.
  5. With the first axle out, removing the second axle should be easier.
  6. Install the new axles. If using single-insulated replacement axles make sure the insulators are on the same side. Don't do what I did and discover it after the fact and start over.
  7. If the springs tried to make their escape, retrieve them. Typically, only one side frame will lose a spring/springs.
  8. Retrieve the fugitive truck springs and thread each one with a length of waxed dental floss.
  9. While holding both ends of the dental floss with your fingers, use tweezers to re-insert the springs in the side frame. Atlas trucks have nubs and recesses to retain the springs.
  10. Gently pull out the dental floss.
  11. Replace the bearing caps. I use a small dab of contact cement on the tip of the axle to keep the caps from coming off, but you can pull them off if you need to.

Hope this helps.

AGHRMatt posted:

I've done it for 3-rail conversion on cars I was selling. (There's an irony here if you now my sordid history) You have to be very careful but even if you just remove one of the side frames and deal with the springs it's not that bad. I've done it both ways and it isn't as difficult to put them back as you might think.

  1. Remove the truck cross bar. This allows the trucks to flex -- a lot. By the way, if you put the screws back but leave out the cross bar the trucks will equalize a bit. Your springs won't be at risk since they don't move that far.
  2. Remove the bearing caps and put them somewhere where they won't run away. It's a bear trying to find them when they fall on the floor.
  3. When tweaking/removing the side frames, do this inside a large food storage bag. It will catch the springs if they fly loose and try to escape.
  4. Gently twist/spread the side frames on one end. Hopefully you can free one end of the axle and get it out. Remove the axle.
  5. With the first axle out, removing the second axle should be easier.
  6. Install the new axles. If using single-insulated replacement axles make sure the insulators are on the same side. Don't do what I did and discover it after the fact and start over.
  7. If the springs tried to make their escape, retrieve them. Typically, only one side frame will lose a spring/springs.
  8. Retrieve the fugitive truck springs and thread each one with a length of waxed dental floss.
  9. While holding both ends of the dental floss with your fingers, use tweezers to re-insert the springs in the side frame. Atlas trucks have nubs and recesses to retain the springs.
  10. Gently pull out the dental floss.
  11. Replace the bearing caps. I use a small dab of contact cement on the tip of the axle to keep the caps from coming off, but you can pull them off if you need to.

Hope this helps.

That helps tremendously Matt!  Now to figure out what kind of wheel axle order to place with NWSL.

Hopefully I can trade many 70 and 100 ton Roller bearing spinning end cap 3 rail Atlas O trucks for 2 rail ones.

Thanks again Matt and Joe!

 

Last edited by Trinkle-Trains
Engineer-Joe posted:

Rick, now that you got some practice, maybe you could put those tiny springs into these PSC trucks I'm working on. I just installed real bearings inside and had to play with the tiny rivets in the kit. So I don't have anything left to install the springs!

DSC_0690

Doesn't anyone make modern RTR 3 axle RB HD trucks to put under my Atlas 68' flats to haul 2 Abrams A1 tanks?

Matt,

I make US Army DODX Flat cars for M1s, M60s, M188 Recovery vehicles etc Per the Army Tie Down Manual.  We should talk. : )

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