I am trying to get my Lionel 622 Switcher bell mechanism to function properly.
Should the 2 pawls on the pawl shaft fit snugly on the shaft, or should they swing freely on the shaft?
I have replaced all parts in the mechanism but the 2 pawls and the shaft.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
Hi @Dougtrains
I sure don’t know but someone on here will.
Thanks Matt.
I’ve never gotten to work on a bell ringer, so I can’t really provide advice on it unfortunately. My inclination when working on any train mechanism, is to try and understand the way in which it operates, and through that, look for anything that would inhibit correct functioning.
In order for the pawls to move the bell hammer arm, the two pawls and the bell hammer arm would need to be firm on their shaft, and aligned properly. the shaft should, however, move feely within the Bell Hammer Bracket.
-El
That is my thought also.
Purchased new shafts and pawls, but it is difficult to find 2 pawls that fit snugly on the shaft.
Is there a way to tighten the fit of the pawls on the shaft?
I would suggest thoroughly cleaning the shaft and cams, to make sure there is absolutely no grease or oil on them. Then, carefully assemble the bell hammer and cams on the shaft, and add a drop or two of super glue to each where they meet the shaft, to help secure them in place so they cannot shift.
-El
You made me take the shell off…
All parts are loose on the hammer shaft. The only reason it doesn’t fall apart is how it gets sandwiched in the truck frame.
The other half of the mechanism is shown below. If you are missing the Pawl Pin Wheel (or the pins are broken off?), there’s your problem. If you rotate the front wheels of the truck by hand you should see the pin wheel turn and also see the pins. Rotation direction doesn’t matter.
Another possibility is it was reassembled wrong at some point. The second photo shows that the pawls must hang down between the front of the truck and the bell arm. You can see the one of the tabs on the arm. That’s what the pawls shove against. If the pawls are on the wrong side of the bell arm they will never get caught by the pin wheel. One pawl does the work in the forward direction; the other in the reverse direction. That’s why nothing is fixed to the hammer shaft.
Bill
Bill, thank you for correcting my erroneous interpretation- much better to hear from someone who has actual experience with the 622.
I can see now, the Lionel diagram does not very clearly illustrate how the two cams actually engage with the hammer. In reality, it appears there are projections from the hammer arm that the pawls engage with, eliminating any need for the pawls or hammer arm to be fixed to the shaft.
-El
Yeah, they needed an “artist’s interpretation” note on that drawing. It doesn’t show the actual hammer arm outline at all in my opinion.
As far as putting it together wrong, while I was typing everything and looking at the photo, I wondered if you could flip the pawls around the wrong way if you held it just right and slowly turned the loco over nose-to end. I went back to the basement to try it and saw that it can’t happen as there is a plate that won’t allow it to flip over. Part of me wants to give them credit for thinking of that, and part of me says they just got lucky there. ; )
My vote is the wheel is missing, or maybe the screw for it is loose and it’s not hitting the worm axle.
Another silly thought - the spring is there, right? It’s under everthing and difficult to see.
Sounds good! I will give it a try.
Thanks!
Thanks for all of your input on this!
I believe I have it figured-out now!