Kadee 5 installation - which way up for spring shim?

[happyChappy]

Up until now I've only fitted NEM compatible Kadees but I recently had need of some standard Kadee no.5 couplings. When installing these into the draft 'gearbox' which is the correct way of installing the spring shim? Should it sit within the 'box' section of the gearbox so it is facing upwards away from the trip pin or should it sit above the coupling against the 'lid' of the gearbox facing downwards toward the trip pin?

Any help from you experienced guys will be appreciated. Thanks.

[7TunnelShunter]

Hi

 

Assemble these on the bench and then fit to the stock.

 

The order of assembly is;

      the 'lid' of the draft box (with the narrow edge with the lip face down),

      then the brass spring with shims facing up upwards and at the end of the lid away from the lip,

      then the coupling -inverted, trip pin upwards and the coupling project out over the narrow edge of the lid which has the lip

and finally the rest of the box

 

I usually scrape some pencil 'lead' on to the spring before the coupling goes on and on to the coupling before the box goes on - it is cheaper than Kadee's graphite lubricant!

 

Some liquid poly seals the box - check the coupling self centres and the spring not he jaw is still in place... then fix the box to the underside of the stock.

 

It is a good idea to check height with the Kadee gauge as much UK outline kits and RTR has rather variable coupling heights.

 

Good luck

 

Chris

[juke]

Here's the pic I found earlier this week.

 

Syd

 

 

[happyChappy]

That's just what I needed to know and the picture is very helpful. Thanks - much appreciated. HC

[kevinlms]

That's just what I needed to know and the picture is very helpful. Thanks - much appreciated. HC

FWIW, if you assemble it the other way, the 'uncouple & push the wagon into its exact spot' feature doesn't work, as it couple up again, once clear of the magnet. The reason is because the spring has a strong & weak sides.