Rail Truck Questions & fix

[Loco Bill Canelos]

TOC and others

Just dug out my rail truck to put it in service and remembered that there were some gear box issues and a fix posted by TOC (I think) on the old board.

Question one:  Do all rail trucks have this problem?

two  If all do not have this problem, how can I tell if mine does needs the fix?

three  If it does need the fix could someone who has the procedure please repost it? 

I have not run it yet as I do not want to damage it. 
As always all replies are greatly apprecioated!!

[Curmudgeon]

Procedure:
1)   Remove all stake side boards from bed.
2)   Remove box cover in bed.
3)   Open one hood side. Flex radiator forward slightly at radiator cap, remove hood.
      Open other hood and repeat.
4)   Remove front screw holding down box into bed. Not the circuit board screw.
5)   Turn unit over. Remove 2 rear cab screws. These are located in front crossmember of bed support.
6)   Lift cab at rear, allowing box to flex up slightly. Pull cab back and undog cowl from firewall. Lift cab off and set aside.
7)   Remove 2 small screws holding floorboard down, one each side of gearshift lever. Lift floor and remove. If difficulty is experienced, lift seat straight up, remove on screw in bottom of seatbox and remove seatbox.
   Remove 2 screws holding black support bracket to gearbox just forward of front u-joint assembly.
9)   These are the problem screws. They are approximately .195” long, from under head to end of threads. They need to be less than .150”, which can vary with how deep the holes are on your unit. Cut off about .050” and file flat, or use the screws that came with the plow, which are the EXACT part, and re-install. Make certain black support bracket is fully seated by pressing down and looking for air gap under screwhead. Washers should not be used as this will hold the floor up, preventing it from laying flat against frame.
10)   Re-assemble in reverse order after lubricating gearbox.

[Tim Brien]

Bill,
     apparently the two screws that are in the bag with the snowplow are perfect replacement screws.

[Curmudgeon]

end of the 4th sentence of paragraph 9........

[Loco Bill Canelos]

Thanks TOC fior reposting this one, I will get to work on it!

[glennk28]

OK--I did this one, and fixed the "Connie"--what remains to do?

[JLyans]

I finally got around to doing the fix on the screws to the gearbox cover. I highly recommend that you do this if you have not done so. It is very easy, it only takes about 15-20 minutes and you get a good idea as to the mechanism of the rail truck. When you see the gears and the retainer/cover that is not fully screwed down you can see that it is a stripped gear waiting to happen. Thank Dave.

John Lyans