Hey guys, haven't posted here in a long while now, but Ive got an issue. Im in the process of restoring my fleet of Lionel locomotives, and I am purchasing new axle bushings to replace the old ones. The old bushings have an oval shape to their center hole and allow the axle to "walk" up and down and rock side to side...which is obviously not good. How to I replace these bushings? They are the axle bushings on both a 2026 (1952 model) and a 2036. The 2036 does have magnetraction, and the corresponding bushings are on order. I see that the bushings appear to have been pressed in to the motor sides kind of have been ballooned out on the inside of the housing. To get the old bushings out, I planned to use a dremel to buzz the inside ends off the bushings and pop them out. But, how do I go about securing the new bushings in place? How can I get that same crimp? Is there a tool I can use to install these? Or do I need to split the motor housing in half to get to these bushings? Thanks in advance...Im kinda lost here :frustrated:
There are tools that were part of the original Lionel service sets. Press with various bits. They DO need to be crimped in place. Be prepared to have wheel issues. Service manuals from the era say to always use new wheels when re-assembling (splined axle cuts into wheel centre when pressed on...). You have the special puller and load spreaders to get the wheels off the axles? Knocking the old ones out is no problem. Set the outside down in a slightly open vise, jaws up close to the bushing, use a drift from the inside (through the other bushing) and knock them out. Now, I know there are rules here on mentioning non-advertisers, so I will send you (via PM) a link to a place that has the tools. I would call them and find out what you need exactly. Dave
