My 2 Truck 38 ton Shay has the front universal joint broken. Has anyone found a replacement or manufactured a Universal joint yourself?
I ordered a replacement FRONT Drive Shaft from Bachmann. They sent the rear shaft. Bachmann web pages shows the Rear Drive Shaft is out of stock.
My best guess is that the parts are miss binned or miss identified.The FRONT and REAR drive shafts are different and not interchangeable.
Rod
My U Joint fix: Pictures at photobucket:
http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/ModelTug/library/?sort=2&page=1
Purchase "Raboesch" Super Styrene .060x.100
Part # MID 51052 at Hobby Town. Other shops will also carry Styrene shapes.
Wrap the styrene around a 1/2" rod or drill bit to get a round shape.
Cut the formed styrene circle a little long
Fit the styrene circle into the Bell Mouth of the U Joint. Now file the mating ends for shape and fit.
Fit the 2 Metal "Yokes" into the Bell Mouth. Next install the styrene circle and check the fit. The 2 yokes must be free to move. Remove the styrene circle and apply 4 small drops of "Super Glue" to the inside of the Bell Mouth. Avoid the metal yokes!!
Reinstall the Styrene circle. Let the glue cure. Paint Black. Reinstall on your Shay engine.
It has taken longer to write these instructions than to make the actual repair.
Rod
Hey Rod, Nice fix, thanks for sharing!! 8)
Bill