Removing Wheels

[Max-Q]

Unable to find specific info. Re HL M41, how to remove the front-most road wheel? And how to remove idlers? And what size and where to find hex-head shoulder screws to install metal springs to enable easier removal than pins?

[tank_me]

There should be a removable hub cap on the idler and/or the road wheel. Under it should be a screw. The metal road wheel and idler bearings fit really tight on the shafts. At least mine do and if you have the metal wheels. It can take some work to get them off. I use twisting motion on a flat head screw driver on the back side as a pry tool between the metal suspension arm and the wheel. I probably wouldn't do that if the suspension arm is plastic though. I have a small side cutter that I use to remove the pins. I don't cut them, but the angled jaws of the side cutter wedge under the head of the pin giving you mechanical leverage as you close them lifting it up. Then you can grab them with a pliers or use a screw driver to pry them the rest of the way out.

If you are set on getting rid of the pins, Amazon has a wide variety of fasteners. It may be hard to find a shouldered fastener that small without a lot of searching. AliExpress also has every kind of fastener known to man, but you will wait quite a bit for them.

[tdriver113]

You should be able to find the shoulder screw you need at McMaster-Carr. Not the cheapest, but saves time searching.

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/screws/shoulder-screws~/

[keilau]

Unable to find specific info. Re HL M41, how to remove the front-most road wheel? And how to remove idlers? And what size and where to find hex-head shoulder screws to install metal springs to enable easier removal than pins?

Heng Long uses M3 machine screw for sprocket mounting. Mato uses the same size.
https://www.amazon.com/Metric-Screws-Suitable-Printer-Assortment/dp/B0B51BFSWZ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=293YM53XMZDIJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0X7 pq4cYYxjjOqGcVu07LAa26uWAlGgsj9cgXOri48cnIPRYV20Px azxL9ffUmFuJgDZojEe93BKQDc3Fo5J0s6sl_85IIzTbzOYIT4 b87CKe1CP6BZmhCOZVb_MEhxykW0bSG2wnfeOFzqOo_86yEGA9 cVpf0Q8DFwuRVhLN_CVV2qFkjYNs8AaOL-w9SSXPRprcl0_PxBziqnJ7lMPNmZUbtdquxVDHdwI2ONi2hPAZ Ha5gqQkj9azNG7zU2BPhWQjv2aylmwhagAYKmsQOv3Rz3sJihG z-jyiWGKBpyc.AUeY8jwkNZO0mGxpuk-4ypT2jxVcRL5X3AcSzr5SCB0&dib_tag=se&keywords=M3+so cket+screw&qid=1719280525&s=industrial&sprefix=m3+ socket+screw%2Cindustrial%2C81&sr=1-3

If you consider upgrade with a Taigen/Torro gearbox, the hex screw is M3.5.

There should be a removable hub cap on the idler and/or the road wheel. Under it should be a screw.

If you are set on getting rid of the pins, Amazon has a wide variety of fasteners. It may be hard to find a shouldered fastener that small without a lot of searching. AliExpress also has every kind of fastener known to man, but you will wait quite a bit for them.