Change wheels/rubber on the traction wheels A9811 of steam micro ace

[Little-Kinder]

Hello there,

 

I recently bought a used A9811 micro ace.

 

I'm having some issues at the rubber traction band around the last wheels doesn't appear to be tight enough and is slippering causing the train to be stuck.

 

I checked the micro ace website and even in the part they sell couldn't find what I needed.

 

Do you know exactly what I need and where I can buy it? (In japan).

 

Worst case scenario I will go to the Kato store and see if they have what I need. Usually they have been really helpful 

 

(It's the last big one here)

[Little-Kinder]

Edit. It appears I'm looking for something called traction tire. Not sure which diameter I need here. Also what's preventing me from puting traction tire everywhere to help it to climb ?

 

Thanks 

[bill937ca]

There was stuff called Bulldog Snot that can replace traction tires.

 

https://www.amazon.com/BULLFROG-SNOT-Universal-Plastic-Traction/dp/B001NG2ECC

 

https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/bullfrog-snot-universal-traction-tires-1-oz-jar/

 

 

Not sure how forthcoming Microace is.  Don't send the train back.

Edited 4 hours ago by bill937ca

[Little-Kinder]

1 minute ago, bill937ca said:

There was stuff called Bulldog Snot that can replace traction tires.

 

https://www.amazon.com/BULLFROG-SNOT-Universal-Plastic-Traction/dp/B001NG2ECC

 

 

Not sure how forthcoming Microace is.  Don't send the train back.

They only accept fax and phone call to contact them :') 

Will go to the kato store and see if they have the right diameter, usually they have been helpful.

But if someone knows the diameter that would help me. I will tyr to measure but i feel it won't be that accurate

only found this from micro ace
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/http://www.microace-arii.co.jp/release/pdf/A9807.pdf

 

not helpful 

[cteno4]

Yes microace has very very few spare parts they will sell. They will try to repair stuff but usually they want the item returned thru the store you purchased the item from. One big issue with micro ace unfortunately.

 

Good chance if Kato or tomix has that diameter traction tire it will work. Only issue would be if the thickness or width is too big for the slot in the drive wheel. 

 

One thing is to install a traction tire on a steamer you will need to pull the pins on the drive rods to you can move them out of the way to put on the traction tire. Then put it back together. The pins are usually pressure fit an you need to use a fine screwdriver and fine needle nose pliers to wiggle the pins out to pull the drive rods aside. Take pictures of everything before and as you do it so you can make sure how to put things back together. Also these are tiny pieces so be careful where you work on this so you don’t dose a pin as that may be impossible to replace. If you have a hunk of plush velour fabiric, best black you can lay that down as it will stop little parts from rolling away on a hard surface and going poof.

 

Might look at picking up a cheap digital caliper as you can then precisely measure the wheel slot diameter for the traction tire. It’s a handy tool to have for modeling and they can be had very cheap these days and a cheap one will be plenty good enough. Even an old manual one would work fine.

 

Not sure how Kato center folks will respond to bringing in a micro ace loco for parts and help. I just wouldn’t walk in expecting them to jump being helpful for a competitor. But maybe they are cool and will be helpful!

 

cheers

 

jeff

[Little-Kinder]

1 hour ago, cteno4 said:

Yes microace has very very few spare parts they will sell. They will try to repair stuff but usually they want the item returned thru the store you purchased the item from. One big issue with micro ace unfortunately.

 

Good chance if Kato or tomix has that diameter traction tire it will work. Only issue would be if the thickness or width is too big for the slot in the drive wheel. 

 

One thing is to install a traction tire on a steamer you will need to pull the pins on the drive rods to you can move them out of the way to put on the traction tire. Then put it back together. The pins are usually pressure fit an you need to use a fine screwdriver and fine needle nose pliers to wiggle the pins out to pull the drive rods aside. Take pictures of everything before and as you do it so you can make sure how to put things back together. Also these are tiny pieces so be careful where you work on this so you don’t dose a pin as that may be impossible to replace. If you have a hunk of plush velour fabiric, best black you can lay that down as it will stop little parts from rolling away on a hard surface and going poof.

 

Might look at picking up a cheap digital caliper as you can then precisely measure the wheel slot diameter for the traction tire. It’s a handy tool to have for modeling and they can be had very cheap these days and a cheap one will be plenty good enough. Even an old manual one would work fine.

 

Not sure how Kato center folks will respond to bringing in a micro ace loco for parts and help. I just wouldn’t walk in expecting them to jump being helpful for a competitor. But maybe they are cool and will be helpful!

 

cheers

 

jeff

They sell stuff from other brands there, don't think that will be an issue actually. (even trains)

 

I also have kato stuff to buy there anyway for kato trains (couplers)

 

Also for bullfrog, unless i can get it i japan, that's not a solution for now as shipping would be like half the cost

Edited 2 hours ago by Little-Kinder