Menards O Scale Auto Racks Wobble/Rocking fix 9-22-23
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- Inspired by others and my own frustration with the rocking Menards Auto Racks. The weight helped a little but this fix will finally get the job done. This is my way of doing it but I'm sure all the creative minds out here in TH-cam land will come up with something better. As Always Thanks for Watching.! Mark😊
A drill press will work if you chuck the right-sized drill bit in upside-down so the blunt end presses on the truck pin.
Don't run the press, just use it as a press, the handle gives you great control of the pressing process.
And, don't make both trucks tight, because one truck mounted loosely and one the other just able to swivel gives the car what's called 'three-point' or 'milk stool' suspension.
Both trucks loose or both trucks tight is Bad...one tight, other loose is Good.
Fantastic Comment and Idea Oliver.! I actually had a drill press available at the time but didn’t even think about that.! Very interesting to know about only tightening one.! 😊 Unfortunately it’s too late but I sure hope this helps other folks.! Thanks for the great information.!
Awesome 👍🏻Thank You😊
Thank you! 👍👍
You are very welcome.!👍 Have a great weekend.!😊
I have a bunch of these cars ,the couplers don't work really well.
Nope 👎🏻 They sure don’t.! Small rubber bands from the beauty supply store or o rings from the hardware store. These cars sure have been a challenge to get running correctly.!
Nice fix…
Congratulations on 1500 subscribers!!!
Thank you very much.!👍Have a great weekend.!😊
Congratulations on getting 1,500 subscribers Mark! And even more congratulations on finding a practical use for a fired .22 cartridge! (Yeah, I know what that brass thing was! 😉)
Although if a square nut's a bit more robust that's OK too.
A fun vid with practical advice, thanks!
Thanks Wayne.!😊LOL don’t tell TH-cam they may give me a strike.😂The brass thing didn’t last but 2 cars. Robust is a great word for the nut.! Awesome comment.!😊BIG 👍🏻Have a great weekend.!
Another great video! Hi Mark
Thanks John.!😊Very pleased how they turned out.! 👍Have a great weekend.!
Congratulations Mark on 1,500 subscribers 👏 🎉🥳🍺
Thanks Dennis.!👍 It's Awesome.! 😊
Looks great. The rocking is very minimal in my opinion on those autoracks.. My idea on the intermodal cars works like a charm, absolutely no rocking at all plus it gives them a little weight. Its because of guys like you that makes this hobby so great.
The couplers are a issue that Menards need to address.
Thanks Mark
Thanks David.!😊I sure agree with you on the couplers. These auto racks are the biggest offenders in the Menards line.! The intermodal cars I really have not had much problems with except for the kinda loose trucks. They are way not as bad as the auto racks.! Very nice you say about me so Thank You very much. I'm glad TH-cam gives me a awesome tool to share what I know and what I find out with folks like you. Have a great weekend.! 👍
Great video thanks for sharing the info
Awsum as always 🚂😎😎😎😎👍
Thanks Mr.😎s.!👍🏻You are welcome.🤗
Nice work looking a lot better
Thanks Ed.!😊I'm very pleased how they turned out.👍Have a Great Weekend.!
Amazing 😊
Thank You.!😊Have a great weekend.!👍
Nice solution to the wobble, I also noticed you had the coupler banded. Everything looks great when it's working properly.
Thanks John.! 😊These couplers are the worst offenders.! No Menards Rolling Stock owner should be without little rubber bands.!👍
Great ideas for fixing the Menards trucks and a big Congratulations on hitting 1.5k subs!
Thank You.!😊Have a great weekend.! 👍
Channel lock pliers might work easier.
Didn’t think of that Jim. However the jaws may not be long enough to get in there?Thanks for the suggestion and watching.
The wobble is a normal thing with Menards rolling stock. I have Menards box cars the have the wobble thing. It is irritating to see. Thanks for the video.
Agree with that.!👍🏻I got tired of replacing the trucks with Lionel so I stopped buying the boxcars. Irritating 😠 Is a great word Jack.! It sure did.! They run so much better now.! You are welcome 🤗
Congratulations on subscribers also good job 👍
Thank You 😊
They do tend to wobble lol. I was looking for weeble wobbles to emphasize the wobble issue but wasn't paying the inflated price lol
LOL Dennis.! Yes they do. It was real annoying.! Very glad it’s fixed. Have a great weekend.! 😊
Awesome, Mark!
Appreciate you sharing.
Love your layout!
Thanks Frank.! 👍🏻 You are very welcome and I hope the fix helps you out.!😊
Maybe a rivit tool would be a better choice also. Harbor freight has them for a low price.
I actually do have a press deep in storage while I'm in this Apartment. I kinda wanted to throw the press idea out there but also wanted to do the job with tools most people will have in their workshop. I have a lot of appreciation for Bob's Workshop.! These how to videos are the most difficult to plan, film and edit along with pulling off the job at hand. He does them every week.!👍
Nice job fixing the wheels Mark.
Thanks Hunter.! Have a great Weekend.!😊
@@markslioneltrains do you when your Atlas hopper will arrive Mark?
@@huntercoleman460 Yes Sir. It’s here. I’m working on the video and it’s up next.!
Good Job
Thanks Arthur.! 😊 Quite the improvement for sure.! 👍🏻
Look at my review how to fix couplers. Thanks for this tip
Watched it.! Like you I don't want to glue them shut and the little rubber bands work very well. Finally found mine at Sally Beauty Supply. I was the only guy in the store and got fantastic service. I thought I had found all the problem ones but that was not in the cards for this video.! Thank You for the rubber band tip. BIG👍😊
Reminds you of the old Penn central trains wobbling down the tracks.
BIG Smile Randy.! I can only imagine.!😯I've seen some scary wobbling on sidings and have heard that it can be a bit un-nerving for the train crews. Great Comment.!👍Thanks
Awesome fix Mark 😊
Thank You.! 😊Have a great weekend.! 👍
So with all of the work that you have to do to the Menard’s cars, are they worth it?
Hey John.! Busy Day today. Well, Lionel and Atlas Scale Auto Racks are about $140.00 - $200.00 each. The Menards Semi Scale is $40.00. The only thing about this fix that cost any money would be the super glue and the 15 min of my time to make the repair. Scale Lionel Auto Racks are about 24" long and Menards are 17" so they are better on tight curves. For the price and repair I would say they are worth it as long as you have the talent to fix them. Most model train folks do.! Thanks for the Comment and enjoy the rest of your Vacation.! 😊
This was an awesome fix. I’ve decided to pick up a compilation of Menards cars to go along with one lucky locomotive. Which one I haven’t decided yet. The one I want I can’t get my hands on and that is the blue Santa Fe With matching caboose. How are you doing Mark? I hope this message finds you well my friend. Frank
@@TwistedMacGyversTrains Thanks Frank. Yes, this definitely stops all the annoying wobbling these cars have. I’m actually not a fan of the Menards Locomotives. I was excited when they originally talked about them a few years ago but didn’t like the separate controller plastic gears and cheesy horn and bell. The Caboose flickering light and being very small way out of scale. I returned the first bad one and the replacement started to do the same flickering but didn’t bother returning again. I’ve actually grown very tired of all the out of box problems with Menards and am very selective what I purchase if anything more. I prefer to pay a little extra and stick with Lionel, Atlas and Rail King. I’m doing okay but am still taking it easy trying to get back to full strength. A bird somehow got into my train room and did a lot of damage to the scenery. I’m planning on getting out of this apartment soon anyway and may just pack up the layout so I’m ready to go? After Labor Day I’m hoping to have my strength up and start seriously looking for a house. The base 3 looks cool but since I’m lucky enough to have the Legacy 990 control system I’m sticking with it for now. Sure looks like you are doing well and enjoying your base 3.😊 Thanks for asking about me. I really appreciate it.👍🏻
@@markslioneltrainsThat’s exactly how I felt when I purchased all that track and it was completely out of scale. Trains kept derailing like crazy, so I packed up all of the tracks and got rid of them. I think you just convince me to stay away. Glad to hear you are doing ok and getting ready to move hopefully. I will be praying for you Mark!
@@TwistedMacGyversTrains very interesting to know about the Menards track but I’m not surprised. Hit and miss on the new turnout I’m hearing. I purchased Fastrack just over 10 years ago and never looked back. I sure Hope I find something as well. I want to get out of this transition period and get on with my life more permanently. Thank You Frank😊
Thanks for showing how to fix a problem that can be annoying. Being plastic you need to be careful.
You are very welcome 🤗 Yes 👍🏻 You don’t want to get the trucks to tight for sure.! Glad to help.! 😊 Mark
They do move around. But real trains rock around a lot as well
Sometimes real trains move around a lot
Yes they do.! More so on sideings and industrial park yards. None of my other rolling stock have trucks as loose as those. I think it's a factory blunder if you ask me? Thanks Shades Gald your back.!
Thanks Mark for the fix. Nice video. Thanks again. Very good video
You are very welcome Ed.!👍🏻I know how frustrating Menards rolling stock can be at times.! Very happy to help. Thanks for Watching.! 😊
Nice Mark. FYI Try pushing the coupler up or down a bit to tighten up the connection. It worked for me.
Thanks Charles.! The coupler lock bar keeps falling out of place. The little rubber bands fix it the best. Have a great weekend.!😊
That’s a good fix. I bet you were a real expert by the last car. Did you fix ten of them?
Thanks Bob.! Yes I did them all. I'm very pleased how well they run. Hot strait and normal.! Except for the couplers all rubber banded up the Auto Racks are as nice as they can be. BIG Hat Tip to you Bob. This type of video is not easy to film edit and plan and you do how to videos all the time. Yours are Way more complicated than this was. I started last Sunday and it took about 4 part time nights to produce. I will guess you are retired from your non youtube job? Anyway, Yep. I had a little production line going for sure. Have a great week.!😊
Marks Menards Trains is a great channel!
I’ve actually thought about that John. When I started the channel I really didn’t know where it would go or how long it would last. The name Lionel is a well known model Train name for most everyone and they know what it means rather than O gauge or the like. Menards is a great affordable option with a steady flow of new very creative products for most everyone. This video shows the associated problems with that price point. All the track, switches, power, Legacy Control and Locomotives on my layout are all Lionel. I will never add MTH DCS or the Menards Locomotive offering to my fleet. I really prefer Lionel if they had affordable offerings more often. I am interested in Atlas and MTH rolling stock after getting the test car and Caboose recently. Thanks for the comment and have a great weekend.!😊
Thanks for the information. I have several Menards rolling stock. The one that’s rocking like yours is a Union Pacific gondola car. I’m definitely gonna try this.
You are very welcome 🤗 I’ve not had much trouble with Menards Gondolas. Well, other than dropping one and the trucks completely broke off that is. I was actually able to save it by drilling out the holes and installing Lionel Diecast trucks. I hope it works for you that’s for sure. Mark😊
Great fix, Mark. Hopefully, Menards will listen to this suggestion.
Thanks Joey.! 😊I actually think it’s a factory goof up because their other cars are not this sloppy.! 👍🏻
@@markslioneltrains Menards should hire you as head of quality assurance. $200k a year. They will have more positive statements on their products.
@@joeystrains.9316 I don’t know Joey? It’s a very nice thought of you💭 Thank You 😊 The salary sounds good though. Awesome 😎
I drilled out the pin and used self tapping screws. That allows me to be able to remove the trucks if I have to.
Great Idea and much easier.😊BIG👍🏻
Thank you, Mark, love Menard's, but nothing surprises me with them!
Agree with that Neil.!👍You are welcome.!😊 Have a great rest of your weekend.!
How about show us what you mean about putting a rubber band on it sounds like a interesting fix show us what you do please
Sure David. My Menards Yellow intermodal cars video from last February shows the rubber bands and how to do it. Check it out when you have time.Mark
There are a three problems regarding the wobbly auto rack. One you have already identified. The second is the wheel profiles. Up until the end of Postwar Lionel, all wheels had a flat tread. When MPC took over operations, they went to the tapered, conical wheels for all of their rolling stock, including engine pilot wheels. This was especially evident on the premier engine, the GG1. Looking at it from the front, you could see the engine sway from side to side, this condition is called “hunting”. Some operators replaced these wheels with postwar ones.
The last problem is that there is no transitional radius from straight to curved track, at least for readymade tracks that Lionel offers. Without graduating tangents, cars, especially longer cars will exhibit a jerking motion as it rounds the curve.
By the way, a very handy tool for any hobbyist to have is NWSL’s arbor press. If you plan to press in more kingpins, this can save you time and frustration of shifting nuts!
Very interesting read Dan. Absolutely correct as I look at the wheel sets. Especially interesting is the track leads as Yes, I have noticed the speed change through the curves although very subtle it is noticeable. The new Lionel Legacy locomotives seem to have a much flatter wheel surface but still a slight taper. Nothing like the rolling stock though. Agree a press would have made this operation much easier for sure.! Thanks for your fantastic comment.👍🏻Mark😊
Great trick! I would be reluctant to use a hammer. You could damage the compression fitting or over tighten it resulting in the truck not turning..
Thanks. A press would have most definitely been helpful.😊Happy New Year.! 👍🏻Mark🎉
Great video Mark. I have some rolling stock to try, thank you.
Excellent Steve. 👍🏻 Seems to be a lot of folks with issues.😊Very Glad to help.
Work hard and have some fun.! Well Done.!
I did.! Thanks.!😊
Mark thanks for showing this fix but ive heard of alotta people having issues with menards stuff of the wobbling issue and i remember one of your past videos having a issue with their caboose.i also have a video up of my lionel legacy 4014 big boy pulling logs id like you to see its a short but i hope everyone will enjoy it still
You are very welcome.! Yes, I actually had to return that Caboose for a replacement. I will check out your video when I get off work.! Thanks for the heads up.! 😊
@@markslioneltrains oh ok and thanks for that ima put up some more videos when the weather gets cooler and being i dont have a layout as of right now im having to set up a set at my brothers house and stuff but thanks for watching my video :)
Great tips , I was afraid that glue would lock it up but it didn’t 😮, I don’t have any carriers yet but if I do I will do what u done hopefully they watch your video and fix this problem they are having Great tips mark thanks for sharing 👍
Gosh yes on the locked up trucks. These auto racks are probably the worst couplers ever. All of them have problems. I’m guessing factory goof up on the loose trucks. These are new tooling I think? You are very welcome 🤗
Hey Mark, nice work. I would recommend leaving one truck loose. Rolling stock should be able to articulate in a tri-pod motion. Mostly any one all scales of trains will tell you the same. I had to deal with this on other cars and have used the super glue trick as well, on one truck though.😄
Very interesting Phil. Unfortunately it’s too late as I have done them all. Make sense though so thanks for the info. Excellent 😊 Have a great weekend.!
I think Mark did the Right thing. If you have ever bought Menards Cars you would realize this is a major problem on some of their Cars. Leaving one that Sloppy is good for a derailment and not a good idea.
@@jebbthetrainkid1281 All good 👍🏻 The trucks on the Auto Racks probably have a factory issue with new tooling. These cars are the worst offenders in the Menards line mostly because they are so tall along with the loose trucks=Major Rocking. I kinda understand what he is saying but none of my other rolling stock from any manufacturer is set up in the one truck loose configuration.🤷♂️Maybe that is how real railroad cars are configured but I’m really not sure. Good question for Mr. Google. 👍🏻😊
@markslioneltrains From seeing them run after you fixed them Mark they are running really authentic. You still have that little bit of movement/rocking of the Cars. To me it's perfect now. I personally think they both need to be the same. MTH and Lionel are that way unless you buy old Lionel Cars. You did a great Job.
@@jebbthetrainkid1281 Agree.!👍🏻Thanks Matt.😊
Great Job and Fantastic Tip for all Buyers of Menards Train Cars Mark Such a Huge Improvement. You should definitely be a Menards Spokesman and even a Quality Control Manager. Menards could definitely do better with their Wobble Problems. And you can definitely give them some advice on fixing it. 👍
Thanks Matt.! 😊Awesome Comment.!👍🏻I kinda think it’s a new tooling problem as these cars are the worst offenders in the Menards line. If they ever contacted me I would gladly do some quality consulting for them. I think it may be a factory issue with this product line run and they will fix it next time. We will see? No other company is making semi scale cars for this price.😊Thanks for your Comment.! BIG 👍🏻
@markslioneltrains I agree Mark. I think it would be an easy uncostly fix. I'd even pay $5 more dollars for them.
@@jebbthetrainkid1281 Absolutely 👍🏻 I was running them this morning on the O60 line and they look awesome.! Thanks 😊
I think I’m going to pickup some of these cars Mark. Thank you for making this video. 😊
You’re welcome 👍🏻You now know what you’re getting into with what I suspect is new tooling with these cars. As you saw the couplers are problematic as well. They do look good for 40 bucks though. Thanks for commenting.😊
Huge improvement. Menards should be able to fix that issue on first assembly at no extra cost.
Absolutely👍🏻These cars are the worst offenders. Guessing it’s a factory goof up with new tooling.🤷♂️They run and look so much better.👍🏻Thanks for the comment.😊