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 Posted - October 08 2010 : 11:50:08 PM
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I picked up a Life-Like Dockside 0-4-0 (see link for pictures). The motor runs fine, but there is a loud clunking as it runs, and the engine bumps up and down on the tracks. I popped the shell off, but I don't see anything obviously wrong. Anyone seen this before and know what it could be?
This is what I have:
http://tycotrain.tripod.com/lifelikemodeltrainscollectorsresource/id42.html
cheez
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 Posted - October 09 2010 : 12:17:29 AM
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quote:Anyone seen this before and know what it could be?
Originally posted by DaCheez - October 08 2010 : 11:50:08 PM
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That's normal for a Life-Like Dockside. They have a lot of slop in the axle slots, so the drivers do a lot of wobbling. I was able to tune the one I had a bit by adjusting the tightness of the screws that hold on the axle cover plate, but I could never eliminate it. I finally pawned it at the LHS quite a few years ago. I suppose you could try shimming the axles, but as I recall the plastic frame flexed too much as well.
The Tyco Depot
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Posted - October 09 2010 : 11:02:34 AM
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I'd also look for a cracked gear,common problem with these lil' guys.
Carl T.
President of the Cape James Terminal RR.
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Posted - October 09 2010 : 9:37:04 PM
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quote:| That's normal for a Life-Like Dockside. |
That's mildly concerning Ah well...I paid something like $8 for it, so if it's just to look at that's no biggie. I didn't see any cracked gears, but one seemed to be slipping. I don't have the time to dig to deep inside it, but when I get a chance I'll have a better look. Thanks!
cheez
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Posted - October 09 2010 : 9:42:30 PM
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I didn't even think of a cracked axle gear, but if it's a really loud clunking, that could be it. They tend to waddle even when nothing's wrong, but if the gear is slipping on the axle, it's split.
The Tyco Depot
Edited by - NickelPlate759 on October 09 2010 9:45:40 PM
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Posted - October 10 2010 : 01:03:57 AM
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| I don't have the docksider, but I have a Life-Like 0-4-0 that was one of the first locos I owned. It never ran well. It was always too fast and wobbly. The tender derailed all the time until I popped off the shell and loaded it down with pennies. Nowadays, after storage, it's even worse. I don't even run it because it wags around so bad. You get what you pay for with Life-Like.
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Posted - September 28 2011 : 6:08:47 PM
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Geez....I forgot how long this thing had been sitting. I posted this almost a year ago 
I finally got back to it on Sunday...the gears all look intact. The gear on the front axle was slipping so I glued it on. The engine runs at a constant speed now, but there's still a lot of wobbling, all in the rear axle from what I can tell. It's still making the THUNK sound. Any chance the rods are binding or is this just the axle slop I've been hearing about? 
Edited by - DaCheez on September 28 2011 6:09:28 PM
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Posted - September 28 2011 : 6:13:22 PM
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Definitly A Cracked Gear By My Guess.
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Posted - September 28 2011 : 6:21:40 PM
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| nice loco DaCheez What did you pay for the Tyco Hershey's boxcar?
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Posted - September 28 2011 : 6:28:11 PM
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If the gear was slipping, then it must be split. If you run it with the side rods disconnected and it still clunks, that confirms it.
I had one that waddled badly, but it wasn't noisy.
The Tyco Depot
Edited by - NickelPlate759 on September 28 2011 6:28:51 PM
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Posted - September 28 2011 : 6:36:41 PM
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It's not the gear. There are only two gears on the entire engine and they both work fine. I just tried taking off the front piece so I could run the engine without the rods...it still clunked
I think the Hershey's car was $3 if I remember correctly
EDIT: The clunk seems to be coming from the back axle, which has no gear :S
Edited by - DaCheez on September 28 2011 6:41:13 PM
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Posted - September 28 2011 : 7:33:31 PM
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Then I guess it's a quartering issue, or just too much slop in the axle bearing. I think you just took the main rods from the cylinders from your description, but I meant to remove the screws or pins from the geared drivers so they're not powering the other set and test it that way.
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Posted - September 28 2011 : 7:52:40 PM
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Cylinders....that's what they're called (I couldn't remember and it was driving me nuts). I'll try taking the pins out. I wasn't sure if they were meant to come out or not, but I'll give it a shot. Thanks! 
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Posted - September 29 2011 : 3:25:24 PM
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| Well I found the problem. It turns out the gear on the front axle IS cracked. I just couldn't see it through all the grease -__-" I guess this engine is done for now Thanks for all the help guys.
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Posted - September 29 2011 : 3:46:54 PM
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My gears are fine. Its the 70's era one with the open frame can motor and 3 gears! It does make some noise running, but, runs good for bein' a cheapie brand and pulls OK. Only kept it becuase its a steamer and it runs good. The newer Life Like trainset stuff is still expensive, and JUNK! There name is sarcaism to me!
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - September 29 2011 : 3:57:45 PM
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| You're lucky then! That sounds like the exact same set-up mine has. I have a train show in 2 weeks. If I don't find a cheap one for parts I'll probably just sell this one for parts
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Posted - September 29 2011 : 4:28:34 PM
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I Have A Life Like GP38 And It Wont Run. Any Suggestions? Is It Worth Fixing? Or Should I Get A Bachmann GP40.
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Posted - September 29 2011 : 5:34:35 PM
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quote:Well I found the problem. It turns out the gear on the front axle IS cracked. I just couldn't see it through all the grease -__-" I guess this engine is done for now Thanks for all the help guys.
Originally posted by DaCheez - September 29 2011 : 3:25:24 PM
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It can be hard to spot the crack sometimes, even under magnification, but if the gear is slipping on the axle that's a dead giveaway.
Maybe you could find a parts donor. I had one for years that never cracked, so good ones must be out there, unless they've been junked because of the gear problem.
The Tyco Depot
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Posted - September 29 2011 : 9:58:28 PM
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Any of you fellas know if NWSL has a gear that will fit the docksider,or the old timer 0-4-0t?
I've been looking for an old Life Like Bicentennial Old timer 0-4-0t for a long time,and finally found one last year,only to get it home and find 2 gears cracked in half, D'oh!
So now I have this great looking locomotive,that goes nowhere.
Carl T.
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Posted - September 30 2011 : 12:08:57 AM
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I was wondering about that myself. Even if they don't have direct replacement gears, I'm sure you could find some of theirs that would work. You could put in a can motor at the same time.
http://www.nwsl.com/
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Posted - January 16 2012 : 01:13:39 AM
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mine does the same thing but its normal, i dont mind it though. I pulled this section about a life-like 0-4-0 from my buddys video here: While disassembled with the wheels separate from the loco we noticed that the drivers on one side were not in the same location as compared with the counterweight in the horizontal position. We held the axle with needle nose pliers and grasped the wheel and moved it to reposition it on the axle.
this resolved his noise problem
I buy, repair, and collect
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Hyde.
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Posted - January 16 2012 : 07:33:37 AM
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I've got a Playart 0-4-0 that the gear is split so bad, it will actually pull WHEELIES on the track jumping, when I hit the power! Too funny. It jumps hard even at low power. Like it's hopping, Maybe I should paint it white with some pink accents up front ( bunny switcher, anyone? ).
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - April 03 2012 : 5:00:55 PM
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quote:Well I found the problem. It turns out the gear on the front axle IS cracked. I just couldn't see it through all the grease -__-" I guess this engine is done for now Thanks for all the help guys.
Originally posted by DaCheez - September 29 2011 : 3:25:24 PM
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I got spares for these as they used the same geard axle as the 0-4-0 Shifter did! nterested? Let me know!
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid...
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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Posted - April 03 2012 : 9:29:59 PM
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Go to your local Goodwill and buy several old cassette Walkmans. I had one of these engines for a short time and found that one of the gears from an old Walkman I had fit near perfectly. Plus, those gears look great as scenery items too.
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/weekendrailroader?blend=1&ob=video-mustangbase
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Posted - April 03 2012 : 11:46:39 PM
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you never stop amazing me with the crazy things you do to repower locos!
I buy, repair, and collect
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Hyde.
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Posted - April 04 2012 : 12:15:12 AM
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| Thanks for the offer John, but I'm afraid I won't be getting back to this engine anytime soon My collection is all back home...no room for all those engines in an apartment
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Posted - April 04 2012 : 12:23:57 AM
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I'll buy it! Or trade for it. If you got any locos to sell or trade let me know
I buy, repair, and collect
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http://seyboldlocomotiveworks.weebly.com/
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Hyde.
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Posted - April 04 2012 : 9:35:56 PM
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| SCVR: I may have a couple. What were you looking for?
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Posted - June 13 2012 : 1:54:53 PM
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| I have one too, It wouldn't run for a long time, eventually I gave up on it till one day I picked it up and found a piece of clear plastic sprue wedged in the wheels. Now it runs great.
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Posted - June 13 2012 : 1:56:36 PM
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well i'm not really looking for one but if the offers there i take it 
I buy, repair, and collect
http://scvr.weebly.com/
http://seyboldlocomotiveworks.weebly.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheDeputation?feature=watch
Hyde.
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Posted - June 13 2012 : 1:59:19 PM
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quote:well i'm not really looking for one but if the offers there i take it
Originally posted by SCVR66Â -Â June 13 2012Â :Â 1:56:36 PM
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Oh, I'm not selling it. I was just sharing the story. Sorry for the confusion.
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Posted - June 13 2012 : 3:15:34 PM
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| I likes that Dockside, DaCheez but I think the only one I wants is the one that says Omaha on it
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Posted - June 16 2012 : 11:11:00 AM
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| Mine is practically indistructible. Once it derailed on a switch and fell off my layout onto a tile floor with no no damage!
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