Help for squeaking Katos

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi,

I have 2 Kato engines, an SD40 and an SD70. Both of them seem to have an periodic metallic squeak that I am almost certain is coming from the electrical pickup bars, I cleaned the dirt out of the pickups and off of the wheels, and they were quiet for a while but then the squeaking returned a few hours later. Otherwise they run very well.

Any ideas how to stop this squeaking would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Chad

2

Chad - Welcome to Trains.com! [C):-)]

3

Which scale?

David B

4

Hi David,

They are both HO scale.

Thanks,

Chad

5

I have a pair of Kato E8s in N-Scale. One of them started making a screeching noise during operaton. I took the cover off it to see if I could figure out what was making the screech and it stopped doing it. It is almost as though there was some kind of simpathetic vibration noise. I have not run either of them for awhile so I don’t know if I fixed it or not.

6

Chad, don’t forget that the pickups are also the bearings. Did you lube them after cleaning?

Joe

7

Hi Joe,

I thought about that, however it looked like there was never any lube from the factory so I wasn’t sure it was appropriate. I didn’t know if it was some sort of oil-less bearing.

My other plan was to polish the bar in case the squeak was coming from the face of the wheel against the bar…

Thanks,

Chad

8

Hello,

I have some early 90s Kato GP35s and Stewart Kato drive U25Bs and AS16 HO locos that developed annoying squeaks. Turned out the wheelsets on my units had come out of gauge and wouldn’t stay in gauge because the geared axles had cracked at the wheel fit. Don’t know if your SDs are of the same vintage or have the same drive, but if so definitely worth a look see.

good luck, Peter

9

Hi Peter,

A good point, I did check with a gauge and they are all set fine.

Thanks,

Chad