hello, i have a gp38 that’s making allot of noise, but running, i know the universal joint was damaged and tried to replace with a universal joint from another proto fa2 , looked the same, now Im getting a rubbing noise, , i am looking to get the replacement part and will rebuild, i left a message on walthers, hopefully they can supply the parts, if they cannot I was wondering if this is a part that can be gotten form another manufacturer since they say universal? I heard that the athearn parts are compatible, does anyone know if that’s true?
The rubbing noise sounds more to be flywheel interference w/ shell, weight or misplaced wire. Unversal/ worm would give more of rotating, grind, growl or click.
These drivetrains have very close tolerences between the flywheel and weight, how is the motor mount? If loose or able to move under torque you could get this sound. A loose motor could have resulted in the initial failure you have w/ the universal.
Micro-Mark has a set of 4 universal couplings priced at $15.75 plus shipping (Item Number 83290); however, like most such claims, whether they would truly be “Universal” and fit your particular locomotive without modification is something you wouldn’t know without trying it.
Thanks everyone, the sound is not constant as i run the loco it will make he rubbing, humming noise than stop, than come back, all within a small run, i dont see any wires in the way and he shell is off, looking at it sping it looks ok. I will need to check the weights as something maybe rubbing there.
Not sure if its a kato motor, looks like a large motor, all contained . If it is a kato motor does that mean kato drive rods will work? The one i have is he long island railroad proto 2000
The Kato type drive has hex in the ID of the flywheels and a mating hex on one end of the shafts. I use the NWSL joints many times http://www.nwsl.com/ If it has the Kato style, use them as I have found them to be the quieter type. Athearn Genesis uses a “Kato type” as well.
Universal means that it turns in every direction, not that it will fit everything. NWSL makes some nice ones for about $4.00. They contain sleeves for different size shafts…so you might call them universal universals.