Hi, Does someone out there know how to de-assemble the truck sides (with coupler) from the trucks of AZL GP30? Is there an exploded view available?
Hi Frank, We do not have exploded views of the GP30. After lots of coffee, deep thought, and heated discussions, we finally decided it was just bad karma to have the word "explode" associated with our company. But the trucks do just pop apart if you want to explore, gawk, gasp, and void the warranty all at the same time. In fact there is a vicious rumor that with lots of practice you can actually get the trucks off the locomotive without taking apart the split frame. For bonus points, you can get it back together the same way. If you just want to change the couplers, the coupler box lid will pop off so you can change the guts. Honestly, I've only done it once, just to make sure it could be done, so I'm not an expert. Best, -Rob(A) AZL
Rob, First of all I was trying to get some info through this forum how to deassemble the truck, so I could easilly remove the coupler and paint the truck sides... Unfortunately my DRGW geep was 3022, although I orderd 3014 from my dealer, so I decided renumber it to 3002. The 3001, 3002, 3014 and 3027 were the only units which had the big Grande logo. I will add the nose lights to the short hood, MTL couplers, BMLE detail parts, closed pilots and the typical 3002 snowplow. (same treat as for my 3045, except for a total repaint) It will keep me busy for some time. Gerd, I estimate that putting the trucks together is in the same category as assembing MTL 903 couplers.
Myself I don't want to disassemble the loco as I'm only planning to remove the truck mounted couplers in order to replace them with body mounted MTL samples. ZFrank, how did you proceed to remove both trucks' external frames? Is it possible to do so without removing truck bodies?Dom
Dom, I think they are sorta clipped (hooked) on. Look carefully at the ends and see if there is a rectangular type of tab-in-rectangle look. Get something 'above' the top edge (under the frame and pull forward a bit ???? I think .
Hi Dom, Jeff is right, if you release the clip (use a small screwdriver) at the end of the truck near the tank, it will come of. However also the power pickups will come loose too. So far I did only the de-assembly of the truck sides... I assume Gerd was actually refering indirectly to the pickups as the fun part with the re-assembly of the trucks. I'll know soon.
Gerd, Jeff, 'Piece of cake' truck sides were on within 15 minutes. I'll guess I figured out the way to do the trick. See attached procedure. It might be usefull information to all who are crazy enough to take a brand new GP30 appart, like me.
Frank, Thanks for the documentation. While I'm not planning to disassemble my GP30 its great documentation and should be invaluable when it comes time to service the units. Mark
Nice going Frank. These type of helpful tips would be great in either Ztrack or Ztrains. JamesTraction
Frank, great documentation! Thank you for sharing! James, I agree. We definitely need to include more tips like this in Ztrack. They are invaluable. Rob
Hi Frank, I had a look myself, the pick-up from the chassis to the truck has changed from GP7 to GP30, so there is an improvement. I was assuming there were the same design. Snapping the wheel pick-ups on is not the big deal, but getting the trucks on and not the chassis contacts bent and have again a reliable contact. Of course this applies now only to the old GP7 and SD70/75 designs.
Thank you guys for your input, especially you ZFrank with your very valuable pdf. However, as it looks like tricky not to unfit the pickups while disassembling trucks' external frame I'm considering cutting coupler boxes without disassembling.Dom
