HELP !! Just purchased an older Proto 2000 PA. Was in original box and does not appear to have been run much. I have several other Proto 2000 locos and all run quiet and smooth. This new PA, at low speed, whether it is going forward or backward makes a screeching noise. I believe it is coming from the trucks and not the motor/flywheeels. I have taken the trucks complety apart, cleaned all of the grease off and inspected them and cannot find any missing teeth, cracks, etc. and gave them a drop of light oil. No change.
Anyone experiece similiar problems? Short of calling Life Like and asking for new power trucks, I don’t know what else to do. Any suggestions? Loco runs OK at higher speeds although not as smooth as all of the others. Did I just buy a lemon?
Thanks for any input. Dave
Dave I would oil the motor bushings. Sounds more like metal on metal than plastic on plastic. while you had the trucks a part, did you give them a test push? If you did and they rolled freely, then look at the motor.
Cuda Ken
mite check the bearings @ each end of the worm gears too(top of trucks,end of drive line) I had a sd7 where it was screamin …I set unit on track(sheel off),unclip the worm covers,and dis conect the drive shafts .turn power up motor well spin if no noise hook up one drive ,turn power on again then do the the other line .you should be able to narrow it down…Just dont remove the loco from the track until the worm covers are on,or you may loose your trucks, and easy on the oil near the motor in fact every where just a tad…Jerry
Thanks guys for the replies!
I think I located the screeching noise and it is metal on metal. It is not in the trucks although if you put your fingers on the trucks as it was making noise you could feel the vibration. Most of the noise came from the rear truck so I lifted the board off and and upon looking at the worm gear found it shifting back and for with the change in direction. I took it out of the unit and found the small washer at the back end of the worm seemed to be rubbing on the worm itself. I left the metal washer on the worm but added in a thin fiber washer and reassembled. Noise from the rear truck was completly gone but now I hear a much lower but similiar noise coming from the front truck. I am going to inspect and put in a fiber washer on that worm as well.
Will let you know the outcome. I think I will replace the metal washers with fiber washers and see how it runs.
Dave
Hi!
I had the same problems with two PA sets that I noticed before I put them up for sale. They had very little run time, having spent years in a sealed display case. I took them apart and “lubed & tuned” but the screech kept on - although it was not as bad as when I started.
Thanks to this Forum, it was pointed out that I must have missed a bearing surface. Ha, I’m no “newbie” at this but sure enough, I missed a hidden drive line bearing on each of the locos. That was embarrassing, but it solved the problem and taught me a lesson.
Chances are excellent your screech is with a dry bearing and not gears or wheelsets.
Good Luck!
Mobilman44
I believe the metal (thrust )washers need to stay in there,hope some one who is better at this stuff chimes in. I think there purpose is to keep the worm from walking forward Or backward an wearing the case and possibly the gear…like I said hope one of are mechanics chimes in…Jerry
YES, the metal washer needs to be there!!!
Trust me,
Mobilman44
Thanks guys for more information. I did leave the metal washer in when I put the fiber washer in. The worm gear movement, going back and forth slightly when you change direction of the loco disappeared after the fiber washer was added. My concern is, should there be some movement and would this put a strain on the motor? It does appear to have affected the motor running at all but sure did take care of the screeching noise. As I mentioned the front truck worm gear moves back and forth and has some noise but not like the rear truck. With the shell on the noise is more noticeable as you would expect.
I cannot find another thin fiber washer in my parts bins so I either will have to order some ( not sure who makes them - Walthers?) or make one from something else. Here in the Detroit area we have lost about 4 hobby shops in the last few years so it is a drive to get to a good hobby shop.
If you have any ideas on what I could use if not a fiber wahser, as it has to be very thin, please let me know. I’’ keep you posted. Hoepfully this may help others as well.
Thanks, Dave
I will say one thing Dave, this is not your first Redo!
I am assuming you meant it did not appear to have affected the motor, right?
On the washers, more than likely they are Kadee. If red they are .015 thickness part number 208, if gray they are .010 part number 209. 4 dozen will be around $2.25.
Seems you do not have a LHS, try this link.
http://www.ulrichmodels.biz/servlet/StoreFront
I have never look for Kadee stuff at Steve’s website, I live with in 2 miles of a great shop. But, I have bought from Ulrich Models before and been very happy with them!
If Steve does not have any, PM me your address and I will send you some. I just bought 4 dozen of each.
Cuda Ken
You need to get the worm gear centered on the gear below it so there is no binding in either direction of worm gear rotation. You can get metal Athearn worm spacers or metal motor spacers from RC cars. I think the Athearn worm spacers have the correct inner diameter that you need. Metal is needed because these are used as thrust bearings. Also check for mold flashing pushing the worm off from center.