I’m having a problem with a couple of my Proto 1000 & 2000 locomotives. On my P1K RS11, the rear truck sounds like a cat caught in a grinder. I’ve dis-assembled the truck to find nothing wrong with it except that the gears were dry as the factory lube seemed to have dried up.
My P2K SD45 seems to have the same problem but I haven’t dis-asssembled it yet
I’ve re-lubed the RS11 with Labelle 106 grease but it still sounds like an BB Athearn but only in one direction.
Hate to tell you this, but since the lube had dried up, the gears have worn down some. The screeching sound you heard was from the bearings. Thje grinding you still hear is from the slack that’s now in the gears. I had the same problem with a P2K GP38-2 that I got from another modeler. Only after I replaced the bearings and gears did it run correctly. You should be able to get entire truck assembies for replacements or you can order the individual replacement parts. There are those who will tell you that the plastic gears don’t need some lube. That’s not true. Plastic, no matter how smooth, is not self-lubricating.
Gordon, I finally got my parts today to rebuild my Proto SD40M-2 rear truck that had the problem. After replacing the bad gear the loco runs perfect. Maybe you have the same problem? Mine was making a very loud noise as well but it was surging too.
Proto 1000 products (and early 8 wheel P2K diesels) copied Athearn’s BB chassis. The brass 'Oil lite bearings around each axle must be oiled (not greased).
BEST answer is to replace as Jeff suggests, all wheel assemblies, including the bearings. - they’re cheap - as metal has been worn.
You are obviously out of warrantee and wheel assemblies - once gauged - drop in.
They didn’t cost anything, I phoned up Walthers toll free number and talked to someone about the problem. Yep its one of those Proto SD45’s that was converted into a SD40M-2.