[texmaster]

Hi Folks,

I've got about 5 or 6 cars with wheels that are either falling apart or have fallen apart. I tried replacing the wheels only but the wheel housing (?) are old enough they too broke apart. I'm looking to get some full replacements I guess from Kadee but there are so many versions how do I figure out what is what?

I believe all the cars are lionel from the 60s and 70s and most are box cars and one oil tank car.

https://www.kadee.com/ho-scale-trucks-and-wheels-c-274_277_292/

 

[MichaelE]

I would just match the style that was originally on the car. I like those Bentendorf trucks, and they are all sprung. That's a very nice detail item. I wish mine were.

 

[Old_Hobo]

Accurail makes some real nice trucks, you can get them with or without wheels.....

http://www.accurail.com/accurail/parts.htm

 

[DonR]

The manufacturers use various ways to connect
trucks to the body. Be sure to get replacements that
can be used on your cars. Some use an obvious
screw, howefer other makes use a plastic 'sprung'
system that is inserted in a hole in the frame of appx. 1/8" dia. You
would need to fill this and drill to permit some truck
installation. It's important to center that carefully.

The 'sprung' replacement trucks suggested do run smoothly
and the metal wheel click on joints is a nice touch. They
are quality built and look good.
HOWEVER...they are sensitive to extreme movements
such as when re-railing. If one of the springs jumps out,
it's gone, and the truck may come apart. This
happened to me so often that I 'threw up my hands' and
super glued the truck parts together. I then
avoided buying the 'sprung' trucks. If you do use
them, glue the springs so they can't jump out and
use care to avoid twisting the truck.

Don

 

[Old_Hobo]

Personally, I would stay away from sprung trucks....other than looking more detailed, they really do nothing to improve the rolling of the car, and they are finicky, as you have pointed out....car weight in HO is not enough to actuate, or even need, the spring action.....

 

[J.Albert1949]

Agree with OldHobo.
Get NON-sprung trucks.

Also, depending on the vintage of the car, you might want "friction bearing" style trucks rather than "roller bearing".

 

[Old_Hobo]

Sounds like if they're Lionel H.O. boxcars from the 60's and 70's, they are probably not roller bearing.....but that's just a WAG on my part....

 

[texmaster]

thanks everyone.

 

[Eilif]

Lots of good advice here. If you post pics of the bottom of the cars (sides would be nice too), you may be able to get more precise advice about what cars they are and which trucks fit well.

I had a few sprung trucks with missing bits I replaced with standard Athearn Blue Box plastics, but there are alot of other options.

 

[texmaster]

Lots of good advice here. If you post pics of the bottom of the cars (sides would be nice too), you may be able to get more precise advice about what cars they are and which trucks fit well.

I had a few sprung trucks with missing bits I replaced with standard Athearn Blue Box plastics, but there are alot of other options.

Sorry it took so long.

I'm looking to replace the wheels on all in the picture.