From time to time I have found it necessary to split the chassis of the F7 to adjust, clean and lubricate the parts. Putting it back together is quite tricky because the metal whiskers which are spring loaded against the truck contact posts tend to push the trucks out of position. After "talking" with Glenn Chenier (a man who has forgotten more about these than I will ever know, the true "Jedi-master" of MTL F7) I came up with this idea. I tried it out today and it works pretty well. Trucks stay put while you lower the other half into position. The only thing is that if you are going to do this you will need some big nuts.
Good Idea! Anything that holds the trucks in position against the chassis half while allowing the assembler to lower the other chassis half will work. I used to use a block of wood, but these nuts will do the same job. Once the chassis halves are together, before putting in the screws pick the chassis up while holding the halves together and rotate the trucks. They should move freely and not try to spring back into some different position. If it passes this quick test you know the contact whiskers have seated properly and the screws can now go in.
"Once the chassis halves are together, before putting in the screws pick the chassis up while holding the halves together and rotate the trucks. They should move freely and not try to spring back into some different position. If it passes this quick test you know the contact whiskers have seated properly and the screws can now go in." Exactly Glenn, I do that very thing
