Large Scale Central

Installing Aristo bogie springs

Problem Solving
#1

I tried to swap out the plstic wheels on a Aristo tank car for steel ones. That was the easy part, but now I need to learn the trick to reinstalling the coils springs back into the suspention. I’ve tried several mathods but haven’t learned the secret yet. Amy help would be appriciated muchly

Thanks
Carl

#2

I’ve just put it in the bottom, then fit it in the top. Some glue it to the bottom first with super glue. Others tie the springs with thread and once they are in cut the thread.

#3

I’ve heard that using something thin and flat, like a hobby knife or a feeler gauge, can be used to both hold and compress a spring.

#4

  1. Take a piece of thread and loop it through a couple coils in the middle of the spring. Hold onto both ends of this thread.

  2. Put the spring in the hole in the bottom of the truck.

  3. With an x-acto blade, tiny screwdriver, thumbnail or whatever, press the spring down and slide it into the top. With a nudge it will snap into place.

  4. Pull the thread out.

The thread is for when (not if) the spring pops on you, it doesn’t spring out of space-time.

#5

Tom has the key method.
Here’s another one — with tweezers.
1 - place the bottom of the spring in place (grrrr).
2 - Push the top down and into place.

Have a beer and try Tom Ruby’s method.
Wendell

#6

Thanks guys for all your suggestions. I’ve tried most (haven’t broke out the CA glue yet) and failed. spent much time looking for the damn springs after they launched themselves into space. On one praticularly frustrating search I found the spring hiding in my hair. So I’ve now tied them togeather with a hunk of thread. What a great idea, Tom. It still hasn’t solved the instalation problem but I now spend far lass time looking for stray parts. I have now resorted to Wendell’s plan and cracked a Molson. I’ll try again tomorrow.

Thanks
Carl

#7

Carl,

Give the CA glue a try, I use a dot of CA on the bottom connection of all the AC springs on the truck frames. Makes the installation a one time problem. Carl Avis = CA, seems to go together. :wink:

#8

Well my Tank car is nw sporting steel wheels and the springs are in place. The CA glue did the trick. It held the springs long enough for me to get the upper piece weged into place.
Thanks again for all your help
Carl