I’ve read a number of articles, plus Dick Teal’s recent book on modern Lionel repair, for info about replacing traction tires on diesels. The first step is always: “give yourself access to 360 degrees of the wheel–you may have to remove the sidebars.” My question is, how do you remove sidebars on most diesels? Most of mine seem to be riveted to the frame. Removing rivets seems like a pretty drastic (and not easy) step to do something as simple as a traction tire swap.
John
All my diesels’ traction tires will go on with out removing anything. The “side rods” on steamers have to be removed. Just take the screws/bolts out and put tires on. Use a good mini socket set so you don’t “bugger up” the edges.
Steamers are a breeze to replace but the diesels can be a real pain.
I use two heavy duty paper clips that were straightened out and made a small hook on the end, kinda like a real small sheperds hook, also a generous bend on the other end to serve as a handle. Use the two of these to more or less pull the tire around both sides at the same time starting on the upper edge closest to the chassis and also the hardest area to get to.
This seems to work quite all on all my diesels but the MOST difficult one is the Lionel C-420’s, the side frames are real close to the wheels. This one just requires a LOT more patience than the others. [|(]
Doug…Found this by doing a search. Thanks again, for the umpteenth time for posting the two hook procedure.
The truck sides on the MTH locomotives I own have two screws holding them in place. The two screws on MTH’s newer trucks can be easily accessed when the locomotive is turned upside down. The truck sides on some of my older MTH locomotives require taking the shell off, then disconnecting the can motor from the truck, then you can get at the two screws that hold the truck sides in place.
Goodluck…Rick
Doug’s Tip is very good, I have also found that using a 6 to 8 inch piece of fishing line to be very effective. Also been playing with the Bullfrog Snot, (google search for more info), seems OK but pricey.
Note this thread started Jan. 07. I just replaced tires on a Railking diesel. By the way my LHS said all MTH diesels use the same size tires. Follow the instructions in Operating Instructions that came with your diesel. You remove a screw on the botum of the truck, pull the motor away from the truck a ways. Then you have acess to 2 screws that hold the truck sideframes on. Slip the tire on with a small screwdriver. I have read here not to stretch it excessively.
Dennis