In taking apart and lubing my #60 trolley to run under the
Christmas tree this year, I notice in the exploded view in
my data sheet book, there’s supposed to be a ball bearing
in the housing on the top end of the armature shaft. Did
all of the trolley’s have this??? I ask because mine, I found
out, does not. It doesn’t look like a ball bearing can fit there
since the top of the armature shaft looks like it might fill
up the space. On the other hand, my trolley doesn’t run
very quietly (even after a good cleaning), so maybe this is
the problem?
ispy85,
Very likely. This bearing (old Lionel P/N 50-102) is also used in the #50 gang car and it acts as a thrust bearing to stabilize the armature assembly (limit its up and down travel and thus chatter as the commutator may be hitting the brush plate housing).
Your local Lionel dealer or a place such as George Tebolt at www.georgetebolt.com can supply this part.
Regards,
Roy
Cheers, Roy. I suspected something like that!