Due to my U Lok interest....
I bought and old U. Low cab 2073, just what I wanted, low cab, and ratty enough that I can kitbash it without feeling bad. So for ratty Stainz money, photo from our favorite seconhand railway stock broker (eBay):
[img=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/3313437890_9f479e0eb1_o.jpg]
While it ran OK, it had a bit of noise. As all the grease was a bit dry seing as this thing is as old as dirt (and it is getting painted anyhow) I did the right thing, and tore it completely down.
At that point, found the source of the noise. The lok has been run in one direction much of its life apparently, and the rear most axel bearing on one side is now oval.
While reversing the positioning of the gears makes the sound go away, this is a stopgap measure.
So, I bought some new bushings. The ones I bought were made by a company called Igus out of Germany:
GFM 0607-06, 7mm OD/6mm ID, with a flange.
I picked up a LGB replacement gear set for $15.
I did notice that all the drive axel gears are SMALLER. So installing this, it does not rub on frame. However, this will not counteract what I assume is the wear from operation on R1 curves in a constant anticlockwise direction. Stopgap to say the least!:thinking:
[img=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3513/3313398052_4bfa2e2138.jpg]
Photo above shows the hole drilled and bearing installed. Gear sizes shown too.
[img=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3535/3313398884_f94f21b7f3.jpg]
Second photo, much the same.
Got it all back together, and it runs fine.

Edit- fix photos, thanks to Doug for the tip in his post!
I bought and old U. Low cab 2073, just what I wanted, low cab, and ratty enough that I can kitbash it without feeling bad. So for ratty Stainz money, photo from our favorite seconhand railway stock broker (eBay):
[img=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/3313437890_9f479e0eb1_o.jpg]
While it ran OK, it had a bit of noise. As all the grease was a bit dry seing as this thing is as old as dirt (and it is getting painted anyhow) I did the right thing, and tore it completely down.
At that point, found the source of the noise. The lok has been run in one direction much of its life apparently, and the rear most axel bearing on one side is now oval.
While reversing the positioning of the gears makes the sound go away, this is a stopgap measure.
So, I bought some new bushings. The ones I bought were made by a company called Igus out of Germany:
GFM 0607-06, 7mm OD/6mm ID, with a flange.
I picked up a LGB replacement gear set for $15.
I did notice that all the drive axel gears are SMALLER. So installing this, it does not rub on frame. However, this will not counteract what I assume is the wear from operation on R1 curves in a constant anticlockwise direction. Stopgap to say the least!:thinking:
[img=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3513/3313398052_4bfa2e2138.jpg]
Photo above shows the hole drilled and bearing installed. Gear sizes shown too.
[img=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3535/3313398884_f94f21b7f3.jpg]
Second photo, much the same.
Got it all back together, and it runs fine.

Edit- fix photos, thanks to Doug for the tip in his post!