Issues with ez mate couplers

[Streamliner611]

A while back I got my first bachmann ho train set
The pacific flyer
Later I aquired the Chattanooga and echo valley sets and I soon noticed that the couplers are loosing their strength
For example if I couple the boxcar and gondola of the flyer set together they WILL NOT stay together
I noticed that the black plastic curve piece (don't know the actual name for it) always is positioned to the side
Can someone please give me some insight about what to do perhaps maintenance

[jonathan]

SL611,

Those EZ Mate couplers should be replaced with EZ Mate II couplers, with the metal knuckle spring.  On the original EZ Mates:  that little plastic spring/tab on the knuckle will lose its strength and let go over time.

I have had no problems with the EZ Mate II couplers. They work great.  However, I tend to replace most couplers with Kadees... just sayin'.

Regards,

Jonathan

[Streamliner611]

Thanks il see about getting some mark II couplers

[jbrock27]

I'll echo what Jonathan said including I also, have of late, been buying more Kadees.

But I will add this tip which will help keep the springs in place: take a teeny tiny drop of CA (Crazy) Glue GEL and dab it on the spring end closest to the coupler's shank.  This will help keep the spring from popping off while still allowing coupling/uncoupling action.  I do this to the couplers (both EZ Mate Mark IIs and Kadees) before installing them.  Good luck Stream