I had my MTH UP 4-6-6-4 Challenger locomotive #30-1419-1 running on the test stand and the screws on both sides of the rear drive wheels on the front set came loose. Any words of wisdom on the correct orientation for reconnecting these? Has anyone used something like Loctite Threadlocker to keep these screws from coming loose?
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I use clear fingernail polish. It works great and you can still remove the screws. Many, many, many folks say to use Loctite, but I think Loctite is too powerful for these small screws.
There are many grades of Loctite. I use purple Loctite, which is designed to release easily. On the valve gear crank, it should be forward when the boss on the wheel is back. The linkage is not long enough for the crank to be back when the boss is back, and the crank could break.
You don’t need thread locker here. It probably came loose because it was never tightened at the factory. As for reassembly I place the smaller diameter sleeve in first, followed by the larger diameter spacer, then the main rod. Install the eccentric so its pointing closest to the axle center. It will be off center one way or the other depending how anal the designers were. Did they make a left and a right eccentric or just make one or the other. Not a big deal, just don’t install it away from center. Finally the screw.
Pete
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
