davidprentice Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 Hi all I had a bit of a 'mare and ended up hitting the end of my Dapol Class 68 in OO and in the process managed to send one of the sprung buffers flying across the room. Amazingly, I managed to find both the buffer (stil intact) and the small spring that goes with it. However, when I went to reattach it, the spring fits inside the buffer easily enough, but I can't fathom how the spring and buffer re-attach to the loco? When I slide the buffer with spring back on to the buffer mounting on the chassis, it isn't retained. Anyone had any experience of this? I can't be the first to have done this! I assume either some magical tool is used in the factory, and/or there is some tiny piece of plastic i've managed to lose/destroy, or perhaps some glue is needed? Worst case, I shall do without the sprung functionality and just cement the buffer in place... ...but would love to try to restore it to full order! Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lippy Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 If it's like other manufacturers it will have the spring on and push in to the housing. It might need the tail slightly bent to hold it in place or may have had something on the end of it. Look at the others if you can to see. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew liszka Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 (edited) Which side is it from think I have a spare one . They have a c shaped clasp on the loco end did you find the shaft that goes around the spring too? Edited May 17, 2020 by Andrew liszka Wrong word 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidprentice Posted May 17, 2020 Author Share Posted May 17, 2020 Hi @lippy I've tried investigating the other buffers, but fear causing more damage. They do appear to be retained by something - whether a small plastic clip or glue or similar. @Andrew liszka the buffer is at the No 2 end and on the RHS if you face it head on, as per below photo. I was only able to recover the spring and the buffer. I think the c-shaped clasp you mention, if plastic, disintegrated/broke - as evidenced, perhaps, by the small black plastic fragments that fell out of the buffer end when I gave it a tap... Any further reflections/observations, most welcome! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidprentice Posted May 17, 2020 Author Share Posted May 17, 2020 @Andrew liszka, I've also searched for 'spares' and found this page on DCC Supplies which describes a pair of spare: buffer, sleeve, and spring. I suspect the 'sleeve' is perhaps the c-shaped clasp you mention and the piece I have managed to disintegrate/lose? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin_l_jones Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 I'm sure you have to turn it to 90 deg and then rotate it to lock it in. Sadly its no good without the pin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold adb968008 Posted May 17, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 17, 2020 (edited) Ive had the same happen to me, the buffer is available from DCC supplies. https://www.dccsupplies.com/item-p-112188/class-68-oo-buffer-pair-buffer-spring-sleeve.htm ive used them to fix Sudexpress Euro4000 also. just pull out the old fitting and fit in the new. You can buy the individual bits and try to fix it, but this is the lazy way, for the sake of a few quid. Edited May 17, 2020 by adb968008 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew liszka Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 (edited) This is a pic of the spare one it has a split tail end with two lugs on that just clips in. The spring goes over the shaft and then the sleeve goes over the spring Edited May 17, 2020 by Andrew liszka 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew liszka Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 If you want it your welcome to it just pm me your details but I think it's the other side you need . 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidprentice Posted May 18, 2020 Author Share Posted May 18, 2020 Thanks all - since I think I need the sleeve and a new buffer, will just order the spares pack. Many thanks to all and @Andrew liszka for the offer too. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidprentice Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 For info, successfully fixed my loco. The Dapol spares pack consists of: 2 x buffers (one LHS, one RHS) 2 x springs 2 x sleeves My only observation is that if when refitting you experience a problem of it not seeming to want to slide home, try spinning the sleeve around so it faces the other way. I think they are very slightly narrower at one end than the other. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan product fan Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 1 hour ago, davidprentice said: For info, successfully fixed my loco. The Dapol spares pack consists of: 2 x buffers (one LHS, one RHS) 2 x springs 2 x sleeves My only observation is that if when refitting you experience a problem of it not seeming to want to slide home, try spinning the sleeve around so it faces the other way. I think they are very slightly narrower at one end than the other. Glad you have sorted it they are superb locos . 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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