How tightly should locomotive wheels fit on the axle of an HO model Diesel? On one of my Atheran RTR’s the wheels turn pretty easily on the axle. If they are supposed to fit tightly then I was thinking of gauging them then gluing them with something tbd. Thanks.
Dave N
Take the entire wheel/axle/gear out of the truck assembly. If the wheel can spin while you hold the gear - You have a cracked gear/axle. Gluing it will not fix the problem. Athearn has 6 packs of new gears. The metal wheels should fit tight in the gear. When replacing the gear, use a NMRA gauge - the wheel should not fit right up to the gear.
Jim
The wheels should not turn on the axles. The axles are actually 2 pieces, pressed into the gear that is in the middle, that makes the full axle. This gear also isolates each side for polarity.
Maybe you have a cracked gear, that is causing one side to turn freely.
Mike.
EDIT: What Jim says! [:)]
To add to Jim’s excellent advice I will add this since I’ve seen it done at least three times over the years.
Keep the wheels from rubbing the brass bushings… That can happen even using a NMRA gauge–please don’t ask how I manage to do just that.[B)][
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If the wheel itself is spinning on the axle then something needs to be replaced. You should be able to move the wheel in or out so it is in gauge but if it is free then something is wrong.
j…