Is there an easier way to remove the toy couplers from MTH trucks without having to totally disassemble the truck? I just gave it another try and I have the truck completely field stripped. I guess I could take a Dremel to it and lop it off?

John,

Been there, done that! Got tired of chasing those darned springs all over the place. I therefor came up with a better, FASTER method.

I first "rip out" the thin metal uncoupling bracket from the bottom side of the truck assembly. I use heavy duty needle nose pliers.

I then take all the screws out that hold the coupler/shank assembly to the diecast bracket off the truck frame.

Lastly, using a special pair of heavy duty, long handled, diagonal cutters (Snap-On part #311CP which ar 11" long and provide exceptional cutting force), I cut off the whole diecast coupler mounting bracket. I then file off any sharp edges.

Please see my photo album on a SOU Hopper I did...

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/davejfr0/MTH%20SOU%20Hopper/

Here are more important photos out of the entire album...captions are on album. This was only done with that screwdriver and that pair of pliers...you can also file down the leftovers, but it wasn't necessary in this case I believe.

HW
Maybe MTH will come out with trucks that dont have the toy couplers on them someday. I'll bet a plasma cutter will slice through those things a little easier than those Snap-On cutters! I may have to try my Dremel for the time being.

DaveJfr0,

Thanks for the photo essay.

A Dremel will cut through the coupler, but it takes a surprising amount
of time and the entire truck gets pretty hot. Burned myself the other
night.

I bought that neatest spring tool that makes taking apart and putting
those kind of trucks pretty easy. I can strip one and reassemble it
in about 10 minutes. If I am careful with the spring tool, I don't
lose any springs either. I've posted a link to the tool before, but
if you want it and can't find the link, lemme know and I will dig it
up. Basically, it has a small, spring loaded hook that extends, grabs
a coil on the spring and then retracts making a complete loop around
the wire. So long as you make sure hook retracts before messing with
the spring, it can't get away from you.

I'll try and remember to take photos the next time I do one. Even if
you chose to do your trucks differently, the tool is bound to be useful
when dealing with springs elsewhere.

Mike

I use the brute force method mentioned above.

Big pliers and a dremel to cut the darn thing off.

I put the truck in a hobby vice while using a cutting disc to cut it off. Ya it gets wicked hot but.... I just let it cool in the vice for a min after cut through it.

Mike P,

Tell us more about the neat tool!

Spring hook tool

It's item number 84608 on this site. Just search for the number.
I tried to post a direct link to the page, but it did not work
correctly.

Mike

Thanks Mike. I'll see if I can find one at my LHS. Looks like it will be very handy.