P2K Split axel gear and replacement Athearn nr.

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Dear fellow modellers,

I have a P2K GP9 with split axel gears [:(]. I find it very amazing that a manufacturer can get away with continuing to ship products with these kind af defects [:(!]. I also own Märklin engines and even after 30 years laying in a box in the attic these units just run when placed on the tracks.

Well I mailed LifeLike, but have little hope I will get the replacement parts. This because I live in the Netherlands (Europe) [xx(]. I also have read that people recommending using Athearn axel gears which will last longer. But a search on the Athearn website revealed that there are two different sets. Which one do I need to fix my P2K GP9?

  • 60023 : loco axle gear, 12 t (used in dd40 and early production locomotives) 6 $ 2.25

or

  • 60024 : loco drive axle gear - sd40-2 (used in current production locomotives) 6 $ 2.25

Gino

2

Gino,

It is a very common problem with some P2K units. I had to replace all of the axles on my P2K GP9 with Athearns. No problems since.

Use the newer axles.

3

If your GP9 has it’s axle bearings between the axle gear and wheels then you’ll want the one used in the SD40-2 and other current production locos. If your GP9 has it’s axle bearings in the sideframes then you’ll want to get the gears from Life-Like.

4

I think I recall reading that at some point there are splits with the Athearn replacements as well.

In any event, I’ve read THE ultimate, most reliable and permanent fix (though also the costliest) is to replace the trucks with those from Stewart.

5

Another alternative, is NWSL.

6

Paul,In all the years I have use Athearn locomotives I never had a gear to crack…Sadly I can’t say the same about P2K…[:(!][V]

I used Athearn’s GP7 gears…I almost used the complete Athearn truck but,determined that would be to costly…Another thought is to contact Life Like…They was replacing the faulty gears at no cost.

7

I have to play catch up here because I don’t run my P2K GP 20 or 30 but does the cracked gears apply to these units as well? If so, I might as well plan ahead and order now.

Thanks in advance.

8

Yep, the GP20 and 30 “P-2-Krap” gears crack too. Order lots of replacements.[V]

9

Darth and al the others,

Thanks for the quick respons!

Gino

10

The gears in my PK2 GP30 cracked after nearly two years of hard running. An E-mail to Life-Like stating the problem brought me a full set of new axles over the weekend via FedEx. No Charge. You can’t beat that for service.

11

Are all the P2K wheelsets the same? I just replaced the wheelsets on my BL-2’s, and now notice that my PA’s are clunking, as well as one of my Geeps.

Lifelike did send free replacements for all my BL2’s in just a couple days. The replacements weren’t blackened, although the originals were. Does anyone know if the replacements are any better than the originals?

Rotor

12

I got the replacement wheelsets for a pair of BL-2s and a GP-7. They have nickle silver wheels instead of brass and haven’t cracked yet.
If they hold up I may buy extra sets to replace some of my Athearn iron wheels.
I have put the old P2K brass wheels and bearings on an Athearn loco by drilling the Athearn gear to the metric diameter of the P2K axle.

13

Same is true with my geeps, the replacement service was great. Received the wheelsets in a matter of days after emailing Proto.
As to the comment about the manufacturer still sending out defective units, remember that numerous runs of GP7s, GP9s, different phases, and GP30s were released and many of these are still on shelves and warehouses across the country. It took almost 2 years of occasional use to find a problem with mine. P2K will be replacing the gears for some time to come. How long the supply lasts or they will continue such great service is anyones guess.
I have had nothing but excellent service from them, dating back to problems w/ the first runs of the SD7. I had damaged parts and they sent replacements free of charge. I had expected to pay due to my neglect, but received a complete set of handrails and wormgear covers free of charge.anyway.
Bob K.

14

I keep seeing these topics about problems with P2K. I have a GP9(or is it a 7),
two FA1’s, FB1(powered) and a E6. Other than poor electrical pick-up on one
FA(simple soldering fix), I have had no problems with these locomotives. Did I
just get lucky or what? Dave

15

We both got lucky but will request replacements in advavce.

16

I have 3 Es and an Fa.

Is time or useage the problem with these gears?

Some things will go bad over time without any useage.

Has the problem been identified as to the actual cause?

17

For us steam guys a similar problem arose years later with the Athearn Genesis Light Pacific & Mikado and Athearn ran out of drive axles.

18
19

DO P2K SD45’s have these problems to? And do the new GP38-2’s have the problem? Thanks,

Alec

20

Alec,This gear problem is supposedly been corrected by LL…I have not heard of any crack gears with the GP38-2…Again as for me I will buy the Athearn GP38-2 or the up coming Atlas GP38-2.But,that’s just me…