Hi folks last year I get a new MTL SD40 from a friend at the ZFI forum (a collector). Now I trie to use the loco for my new layout Flaggstone terminal to shunt. The first test runs (only DC) makes me curse. This week I check the loco an find some issue. At he rear truck was the gearbox cover open and it is immpossible to cose it. It jumps up again. So, it is possible to fixed it? Or can I buy 2 (better 4) new trucks? I had also some issues with 2 SD40 from the second series (MKT). Here ist the gearbox cover to deep, so I sand it thinner and it works now.
I had similar and other issues with the SD40-2. One arrives with one ear broken on the frame where the pc board sits. The truck dragging isue was a known problem with some of the run. One of mine also had a cracked truck underframe. MTL did not have parts available, but offered to fix it for $50 per hour plus parts. The performance of the one that did run was not that good, so I opted to take the loss and have not purchased any other Z scale MTL locos. Not sure there is any good solution for your fix, Trey
I also got the no parts available but we can fix it for a Fee + parts, Line. (My Thoughts = But wait what parts are you going to charge me for if no parts are available. No thanks. I will find a way to fix it myself.) And fixing it myself is just what I did, I've actually gotten fairly good at fixing and tuning-up MTL's locomotives . Try completely dis assembling the truck clean and deber it. Then re assemble with out the gears and wheel sets to see if the gimbal will fit the bottom/side frames or if the bottom of the gimbal needs to be filed down a little so the bottom/side frames will snap closed. Once closing properly open and re assemble with the gears and wheel sets, adding one drop of oil to each axle before you snap the assembly closed. David
Hi Guys thanks for your information. So I buy an excellent spare Part Modell David, I will try your way to fix the issue or the loco will be a spare part
