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+--- Thread: Wobbling cars (/showthread.php?tid=153)
Wobbling cars - nkp_174 - 12-15-2008
I don't like it when cars wobble and other such "it's a model" tell tale signs. I add springs in between the coupler screws and the car bolsters on my worst offenders. Typically this has to be below the truck to prevent the car from riding too high.
If you can't find appropriate commercial springs, it isn't difficult to make your own. Take a piece of 0.008", 0.015", or 0.020" diameter brass wire and heat it up with a flame. Let it cool. (heating will cause brass wire to become softer). Then take a rod...preferably metal...slightly larger than the diameter of the truck screws' threads. Hold about a 1/2"-1" of brass wire in one hand, perpendicular to the rod. Wrap the other end of the brass wire around the rod...tightly. Then slide it off the rod and you have a spring. Cut the spring to the desired length (I use two turns). Voila! I began doing this for Colorado Central truck springs...but the technique has eliminated the annoying wobble of my Branchline boxcar. Perhaps I should post pictures...
Re: Wobbling cars - TinGoat - 12-15-2008
Hey... I like that idea!
I remember reading something from Lynn Westcott about tuning your trucks. ['least I think it was him.]
Something about tightening up one truck so that it keeps the car nice and stable, but will still turn in curves. Leave the other truck loose and wobbly so that it will follow over lumps and wiggles in the track.
Another store-bought option is from the Proto87 Store: http://www.proto87.com/
It's called the Smoooth Rider - 8 Pair Pack
Re: Wobbling cars - Trucklover - 12-15-2008
I like the idea Michael, thanks for sharing!!
when you get a chance, post some pics for us 
Looks like Tingoat beat me too it :mrgreen: when i was reading this i was also thinking of the Proto:87's product
Re: Wobbling cars - Tom - 12-15-2008
I simply tighten one truck so that it turns freely but has no play in it, and then let the other truck wobble loosely, and it seems to work just fine for me, rarely do I ever have a car that wobbles or leans to a noticeable point. If I do run across that problem, I simply add fiber washers to the bolsters and then use top shank couplers to compensate for the raised ride height, but rarely do I ever have to do that.