Think I may have a cracked axle gear on my Proto 2000 E 8 with sound. When I have it pulling a middle sizes train I hear a clicking sound. When it is running by it self, no clicking.
I know with other Proto’s you can use Athearn gear’s for the axle’s. But with the odd gearing of the E 8’s I don’t know if I can get by with that trick?
Anyone here try it?
Thanks for the coming answers.
Cuda ken.
How old is the model? If it is one from the days when Life-Like made them, it might be a cracked gear and the Athearn gears will probably fit. If a newer model from after Walthers took over, the gears are different now and you’ll have to get them from Walthers.
You need to check the model more closely by turning it upside down on a soft surface and seeing if any of the wheels can be turned freely.
Cacole I just checked the fuel tank and it say’s by Walther’s.I will check if the wheels spin or fixed in places later.
Thank you for the reply!
Ken
Ken, it is rather unusual for cracked gears in those E’s, but not unheard of. I don’t have many hours on mine, My SD50s though, have countless hours of running. But the Sd’s are a much newer release. If you do have a problem, I hope that parts are readily available. Don’t know what other substitutes will work like the Athearn ones to replace those notorious early Proto B trucks. The early E7/8s had that 18:1 gearing.
Edit: reread earlier post, that it is a later run from walther’s, believe that gearing is changed, but not sure to what. talk was that they were to be 14:1 but not sure.
I just want too know why do these gears crack? rambo1…
Not sure if it was the compound/ formulation of the plastic or that the press fit was so tight that the force exerted on the gear caused failure. Or could be a combination of both.
I’ve had one NIB that were cracked and other GP7/9s that still haven’t failed. Most just replace them and get it over with. A real simple job. I still have complete wheel assy replacements from Proto when they sent them out for free.
The original Life-Like gears cracked because the gear casting’s opening for the axle was too small, which placed too much stress on the plastic of the gear.
Hey Everyone,
If it were me, I’d drop that bottom truck cover & look at the axle gears. Meaning, I would caliper out the diameter of the axle gear, mark & count the teeth, then grab my replacement Ath/Proto Gear set & do the same. If we are lucky, they may match (hoping that the gear reduction is in the tower & not the bottom end), if they are different, we may know what to look for in replacements & spares.
I had some Proto’s that didn’t look cracked until I gave them an oil wash & could actually see the crack happen as I man handled the wheels (as if trying to crack the ends!) in opposite directions. They do always seem to spin easier when trying to counter rotate one wheel from another, if & when they are cracked, so if they are loose, suspect them as cracked… Under power they seem & will flex causing the noise…
A magnifying glass or glasses will help, as the actual cracks can barely be seen at times…
I agree, after time the stress of the pressure of the metal axles, may cause the plastic to split.
To me, it is an inexpensive fix to a great loco, after all a shorted motor would be worse!
I don’t know if the Athearn gears will work. I just returned a rear truck assembly to Walthers because it was the wrong one, but they don’t have the front truck anymore. The truck assembly was $20 but has all the new gears, axles and side frames. I don’t believe they sell the gear/axle as a separate unit. If you have any Athearn gears I would try one to see if it fits/works, otherwise you may have to order the entire truck assembly. The part No is 584708. Good luck with it.
-Bob
PS: I thought I used an Athearn gear on one of my E8/9’s but don’t remember for sure (old age?)
Thanks again for the answering my post. I have not checked anything out yet. Have other fish to fry first.
Ken
Just a update. Seems there is nothing wrong with the gears. Must had a wheel off the track, clicking is gone. [Y]
Thanks for all the answers.
Ken