Can anyone give me information how to remove flywheels from athearn motors? I have been doing all the “tricks” to the old blue box loco’s and so far, “what a difference”!! I’m down to removing the motor to add shims to remove all the sloppy end play within armature housing. Also, How do you perform balancing of the flywheels? Thanks.
Breezer
I could give a suggestion, but I caution that I have never done this. To balance a flywheel, find a way to firmly fix a staining material very close to the flywheel’s side. Spin it around its axis and get the staining item within 1/2 mm of the highest point. Don’t get any marks on the flywheel. Then, apply power and get it spun up. Stop, and inspect the flywheel to see if it has been marked during any oscillation. If you see an area where the stain has marked it, that is the heavy side. Remove material from that side, or add something to the opposite.
I’m sure more experienced modelers have far better (simpler) ways, so I will watch and learn, like you.
I’ve always just grabbed the motor in one hand, the fly wheel in the other and pull. I’ve never had to use a press or wheel puller.
I don’t. If I have flywheels that I think are out of balance I replace them. Northwest Shortline makes finely machined parts like this.