It seems the side rods are not perfectly flat (i.e. level or horizontal) when they go around in a circular motion. It seems they bind the wheels because of the factory “play” in the first driver wheel (which isn’t geared - it only has a side rod attached to the third driver wheel).
How can I get this to be a smooth runner again?
Before, it would completely bind up and would not go at all. I then took out the bottom plastic plate, held driver wheels 2, 3, and 4 and adjusted the first driver wheel a little forward, to eliminate the ‘play’ in the forward motion. It seemed to help a little in that it would go, but now it’s almost hitting a bump of some every rotation of the side rod.
Sounds like your drivers might be a bit “out of quarter”. The adjustment you made to the first driver helped a little, but you have to make sure all the wheels are precisely in the same position visa vis the connecting rod that goes between them. This could be the result of the entire wheel set being off by one gear tooth. (in other words, it might not be the ungeared front driver)
If I remember correctly, the ends of the axles are squared on these (been a while since I worked on one). If that’s the case, the wheels will be seated on the axle fine, it’s a matter of the gears meshing properly.
Thanks for your insight. The ends of the axles are actually circle, unfortunately, and the third driver comes off now (it was slipping). I’ve had nothing but problems with it, so I think I’m just going to order another driver and motor set from Kato. Either that, or see what the LHS has in stock.