I need to replace a motor on an Athearn RTR Diesel. How do you remove the flywheels? I have tried pulling them with my bare hands. I have even tried removing them with pliers which only put grooves in them. I was only able to get one of them off.
Thanks in advance.
The flywheels on RTR motors that have the newer “hex” drive I bellieve are bonded in place. I have had great success in contacting Athearn’s customer service for a replacement with the exchange of the defective one at no charge. Due to you using pliers which seemed to cause some damage may impact a no charge replacement. You should give them a call to see what they say.
Good luck.
Bruce
The blue box Athearns were just a press-on fit, so they should pull off, which may work easier if you twist the flywheel by hand while holding the other end of the motor shaft with a pair of pliers. Since you’re replacing the motor, don’t worry about putting groves on the motor shaft.
If you put grooves in one of the flywheels, check it after reinstallation to make sure there are no projections that will catch on the frame, or in extreme cases, it may be out of balance and be noisy.
Well, If you are replacing the motor and don’t care about damaging it, then a wheel puller comes to mind. Try “the puller” from NWSL.
Chris
you might try putting it in the freezer over nite before pulling on it… This might loosen it
Why not just get the motor with the flywheels? The difference in price isn’t much and the chances of you getting the flywheels back on without a wobble are not good,
That’s what I did with my Athearn blue box locos. Somebody on Ebay sells them with flywheels for around $15-$17. I was initially going for the ones that had flywheels for 4-axle locos, but a couple flywheels, once they were off, would slip on the new motor shafts when pulling anything. I’d only try removing flywheels if I absolutely have to.
Kevin
I have the same problem with the new Hex Drive flywheels which have to be removed from the new motor in order to put on the old style flywheels (for blue box models). I have only had luck with one motor so far and it is frustrating.
Have tried putting one flywheel in a vice while grasping the other with channel locks and still wil not budge. And you pretty mcuch have to use the original flywheels from the model in order for a proper driveline fit. Any help would be wonderful.
Get a puller from NWSL.
Sometimes you need the right tools to do the job correctly.