Replacing cleaning wheels on an LGB track cleaning loco.

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I decided it was time to renew the cleaning wheels on my track cleaner.
Not at all difficult but I thought someone may like to know how. It also shows the dreaded threads that can ruin your machine.
The front, cleaning section of my machine looked low compared to the rest of the machine and the cleaning wheels were beginning to develop double flanges. Running over pointwork was rough as the extra flange was lifting the wheels clear of the track as they went through the frog.
So - turn the loco over (you can see the double flange particularly on the lower wheel).
Undo the two screws holding the little cross member in place to the left of the cleaning motor block).

 

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Lift the left side of the motor block slightly and slide it to the left.
The lugs on the right detach from the chassis.

Remove the two wires noting which way round they are and lift the block from the chassis.

 

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Undo the small screw holding the wheel to the axle. They should come undone easily but sometimes a previous owner may have used lock tight or glue which should not be necessary.

Lift the wheel off of the square axle stub. Wrapped round the axle you may find black threads.

This is wear from the flange of the cleaning wheel. As the abrasive wheel wears down, so too does the flange and this is the result.

This can get in the axle bearing and cause heat - it then melts and your unit is well and trully - you know what.
I clean the edge of the flange regularly and yet this amount was present on both sides. True to say that new wheels dont do this as the flange does not touch the track to cause the wear.

 

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Assemble the three parts of the replacement wheel ensuring that the abrasive disc is seated centrally and fully - otherwise your cleaner will rock and bounce about.

Place over the square stub and fit a new screw supplied with the replacement wheels.

Do this screw up snug - just firm but remember you are screwing into brass which is a bit soft. I have heard of this thread stripping on track cleaners - it really does not need to be that tight, just firm.

 

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Re assemble.
Re fit the wires (some people reverse these two wires to reverse the direction of the cleaning wheels to help pull the loco along. I dont find this necessary, but its up to you to try these things out.
Place the motor block back in the chassis and move to the left to locate the lugs before dropping fully into place. Then re attach the bracket with the two screws.
AND TEST.

You can see that the bonnet of the front section is level with the track and the rest of the loco - it used to slope down to the right.

 

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Video showing little bounce but a bit of sway from side to side.
http://youtu.be/qBn29EYIWjQ

 

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Old and new abrasive wheels.

 

[whatlep]

Excellent guide and photos! Thanks.

 

[mike]

best guide yet..

 

[UKSGR]

Does anyone have the specs for the bearings please? Mine is the yellow 1 but I guess they are the same for the newer red version.

 

[nicebutdim]

They are the same. If you mean the bearings on the cleaning wheels axle then they are non-replaceable, I've tried getting them off myself. It's a whole new axle as they come supplied already fitted.

 

[nico]

 

[KeithT]

Make sure that you retain the original bright metal screws for the wheel centres. Some replacement ones are too short (I have had that happen twice) and it is a devil of a job to find any with the correct thread.