By: Ray Marinaccio
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Rebuilding an Athearn Hi-F belt drive F7.
Begin disassembly by removing the wires from the trucks.
Disconnect the drive shafts and remove the belts.
Lift the frame from the trucks.
Remove the screw on the bottom of the fuel tank to remove the motor.
To disassemble the trucks, remove the remaining screw.
Remove the bottom insulator and inspect the insulators for damage.
Clean the wheel assemblies and check that the wheels are tight on the drum. If they spin on the drum use Loc/Tite or super glue to secure them.
Clean the sideframes. Clean and lube the journals and install the bottom insulators. Prepare the top insulator for installation by installing the screw.
Install new belts around each wheel assembly and position them in the side frame as shown.
Slide the other sideframe into position and hold it together as shown.
Carefully pick up and hold the truck assembly as shown and install the top insulator.
Note the position of the installed screws. They should be to the inside (toward the fuel tank).
Clean the king pins to insure good electrical contact.
Install the frame on the trucks. Clean and install the driveshafts. Replace the connector tubing if they show signs of dry rot.