how to change couplers in a kato dd51

[nik_n_dad]

Hello.

 

We just received this train and the dcc conversion was a piece of cake.  it's a nice runner. 

 

However, it has rapido couplers installed.  It comes with other styles of couplers, but we're not sure how to swap them out.  The instructions for the loco of course are in Japanese, and the drawings don't help much.

 

Any help is appreciated!

[inobu]

If picture is worth 1000 words. Then here is 6000 words

This my DE10 which is close to the DD51 notice that I already changes out my coupler.

Look over all the steps first to get a good idea of what you are dealing with and what I did. Study it and do
a visual on your DD51.

Step 1:

The bracket here holds the coupler and connects to the body of the train. It snaps in and can be pried apart. Maker sure you pry it in the right location.



Step 2:

The bracket will pop loose and you should have it in tact. Make sure that you do not bend the gold/brass flat spring.



Step 3:

Lay it out and obsetve how it works. The crimp in the center of the flat sptngs keeps the coupler centered. The older versions were flat and sometimes did not flip the coupler back to center.


Step 4:

Prepare to change out the coupler look at it from this angle because you have to work the edge of the couple into the pin and in front of the flat spring. You do not want to force it because it will bend the spring.

comparison of both couplers


Step 5 work the coupler from an angle. You want to shimmy the first edge of the coupler, then slide it onto the pin.


Once its mounted you just have to place it back on the body.


Hope it helps

Inobu

Edited November 6, 2023 by inobu
relink lost images

[nik_n_dad]

The DD51 I have doesn't seem to have anything to pop out.  Furthermore, the couplers don't have a hole\pocket to rest on a pin in the assembly.  The couplers have more of a "c" shaped thing.  From the pictures in the Japanese instructions, it implies you'd pull straight to remove, but I know that doesn't make sense.

 

I think I'll tackle it after a little sleep.

 

Thanks again or the great photos and response!

[disturbman]

It does make sense. If your couplers are "c" shaped at the end it does mean that you have to pull them out. Have faith in the drawing of the Japanese instructions. That's how I changed mine. But beware of the front rail-guardings, they also are very easy to pop out when you are pulling on the couplers.

 

Also, you need to have these knuckles couplers installed on the wagons you want to pull with the DD51. Otherwise you will not be abble to connect the loc and the cars.

[Bernard]

Inobu - Thanks for the great photo step by step tutorial! This will come in handy when other member search on how to do this procedure.

[nik_n_dad]

Ok, Inobu-san's pictures threw me for a loop, but ended up being what we needed (thank you).  On our DD-51, the the piece on the bottom of the loco was triangular and looked like it was built-in.  Also, the drawings in the (Japanese) instructions implied we just needed to pull the coupler straight out (which isn't the case).

 

With better lighting, some much needed sleep, and an optivisor, it became apparent that indeed we needed to remove the "triangular plate" on the bottom of the loco, which holds all of the mechanisms shown in Inobu's images.  From there it was simply lifting out the rapido couplers and dropping in the knuckle couplers, and carefully popping the whole mechanism (and triangular plate) back in.

 

One needs to be careful in removing or putting it back in- there are little clips on the triangular plate.

 

In any case, thank you Inobu for the photos and the help.  Now we have a great train with DCC and couplers that we can use on all of our rolling stock.