After reading great reviews of LL's proto 2000 I went to my LHS and bought a GP9 phII in SP colors (of course! ). After getting it home and running it for about 5 minutes it started to make a clicking sound, then it froze up. After changing directions it ran again but continued to make that clicking noise. Since the LHS is moving "All sales are final!" Any thoughts?
Sounds like split axle gears. P2000's have some issues with their axle gears splitting, causing a clicking sound which could be followed by temporary lockup. Take the bottom cover off the trucks and inspect each axle gear for splitting; notify Life Like and they will replace at no charge. Dean The Train Dcotor
espeeman, I had the same problem with my PK2000 PhII. The Train Doctor is correct. The problem I found is that the Proto wheel gears are two thin and will break if the wheels are not installed correctly. So I called Athearn and ordered there wheel gears to replace the P2K. The Athearn part number is 60024. LifeLike may be faster for parts than Athearn, but the Athearn gears will probally last longer. Shannon WP LIVES (and so does the ATSF)
I had the same problem with my GP18's. Be very carefull when you try to fit the replacement gears on the axle-halves. The axcle is a minute fraction too thick for the axle and when you force the gear on the axle the gear is likely to split again. So take a reamer and very carefully widen the holes in the gear till they have a tight fit on the axle. Athearn gears are indeed more robust and in my experience fit perfectly on the LL axles.
