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Bachmann Dash 8-40 CW (new run) wheels gauge adjustment

highroller
highroller's picture
Posts: 3
 Joined: 2008-10-02
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I recently adjusted all the wheels of a brand new Spectrum Dash 8-40CW to conform to the NMRA standards in order to use my loco on Atlas code 55 tracks.

I had to slide the wheels outward from each others in order to achieve the proper gauge.

But after that operation, I noticed the wheels/axles/gears assembly are all loose. Now the loco is moving from side to side in the trucks and there is no way to keep it centered. The pinion gears move along with the axles and wheels so I'm pretty sure the black plastic gears are not cracked.

I'm wondering if this is issue is normal, I have an older Spectrum (old run) which I have done the same thing and there is much less play in the trucks.

I'm wondering if the gear can wear itself by moving sideways in the hole underside the truck. Any tips ?
Thanks for your help !  


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Submitted by highroller on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 17:50.

MRLdave
MRLdave's picture
Posts: 241
 Joined: 2007-04-30
I might be wrong, but if
I might be wrong, but if I'm remembering right, the electrical pickup strips that sit behind the wheels put tension on the wheels to keep them centered (and transfer power from the wheels). If you had to adjust the wheels out a lot, you may need to disassemble the trucks and bend the tabs out to get the same spring tension you had when the wheels were narrower.

Fri, 10/03/2008 - 16:05

highroller
highroller's picture
Posts: 3
 Joined: 2008-10-02
Unfortunately, the electric

Unfortunately, the electric pickup strips on these models seem to be all staight and they don't provide any tension on the wheels. From what I can see, the strip sits on the top the axles and they use the weight of the loco to keep a good contact. The wheels are centered only when they are very close to the trucks so they cannot move too much but they are way out of gauge.

 



Fri, 10/03/2008 - 17:40

highroller
highroller's picture
Posts: 3
 Joined: 2008-10-02
...I may be wrong too...it
...I may be wrong too...it is not clear from the diagram I have of both model, the old model seem to have wipers that can be bent, the newer one show straight strips.

Fri, 10/03/2008 - 17:45

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