5" gauge 'Metre Maid' cylinder piston stiff

Hi,

I have recently purchased an unfinished Metre Maid (never steamed but hydraulic test passed) as my first 5" gauge loco and have identified that one of the cylinder pistons is stiff.

I have discovered that the piston will move freely when the con rod is disconnected, however, when the slide bar bolts are tightened up the piston movement stiffens.

If the bolts securing the slide bar are loose then the piston does move but it's not as smooth as with the bar completely removed.

I would be grateful if anyone could advise on further fault finding ideas as I can't seem to get a smooth setup.

Cheers,

Tom

Perhaps the slide-bar is not exactly parallel to, or the wrong dimension from, the cylinder centre-line. That could be adjusted by appropriate shimming.

Thanks for the prompt response.

I have tried placing various thickness of metal from a feeler gauge under the bar at the cylinder end but when I tighten the bolt the piston is hard to move.

Lossening the crosshead seems to help so I am wondering if the motion plate needs filing?

The chassis roles freely and the other piston is easy to pump so the issue is definitely with this side of the loco.

I would like to remove the piston to inspect it to make sure the rod is not bent, however, despite removing the bolts securing the cylinder covers they are rock solid.

Do I have to damage the gaskets to prise them off?