Hi Guys I Purchest a big boy Rivarossi 4-8-8-4 Now it runs great Except i gat a sqwweeeeeeeeeeeek noise every once and a while ,Do i ned to lube the motor? and how many is there? and how? do i get to it?
much apprciated.
Carl…
If the squeek is quite loud and lasts for more than about 2 seconds, yes, it probably is the bearings, but I can’t see it being motor bearings…that would be very unusual. It is more likely a bearing or bushing supporting the driving shaft…if it has such a thing, or the bearings to support the gear shafts. It could still be wheel bearing noise, though. If you have an exploded diagram sheet, it will show you where the fasteners are to the boiler or cab, depending on where the diagram says these parts are. A drop of hobby lube oil or even auto-transmission fluid will do a good job. This does not sound like gear noise, but while you are at it, have a look at the gears to make sure they have a thin film of grease, and not so much grease that it is gobbed inside the housing, or worse, flung all over the place.
After you have assured yourself that everything looks alright inside the loco, and have replaced what you removed, invert the loco in a soft but sturdy cradle, and apply a single drop of lube to all rotating, pivoting, and sliding item surfaces. This will take you some time to do all those wheels and rods, plus the tender.
Hopefully that will help you to get started. It should not be serious unless you let it go.
Yes it Does Sound like barring.Buy i did put a drop of lube while upside down in the yellow gear and it did quiet it down Alot! now evry once and a while just a small noise ,This loco is not new but,Unused,So im sure it might be dry, Or it just needs to run? thanks.
Carl.