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American Z Lines   • Back to AZL
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  • Email for help 		• Congress enacted the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and we must now note that these ARE NOT TOYS, AND ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY CHILDREN UNDER AGE OF 14. These products are Model Railroad Equipment and Accessories intended for use by adults.
Tech Tips   »»»   Coupler Installation
American Z Line Couplers:
AZL couplers have a very good design and very easy assembly. With no tiny springs to worry about you can assemble them pretty easily when it is time to repair or just reassemble. We all know many of our Z scale items will fall ill to the paws and teeth of our favorite feline friends or even the occasional grandchild interaction. That is why I am happy to share some helpful information with you to make the assembly a bit easier.
The following tools will assist you in the process:
    • Small Flathead Screwdriver
    • Steady Hand
    • A Good, Clean, Work Surface 		American Z Lines
Step 1:
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Examine both of your coupler pieces, both the top and bottom sections, and the coupler box for any damage. Look for things like bent or damaged centering springs, alignment pins or damaged tabs on the coupler box cover. View the photo to see how your pieces should look, and if so, they are ready to be used.
 
Note 1:         Coupler centering springs?   Both the top and bottom half sections of the coupler each have two flexible plastic leads extending away from the coupler, these leads would be the centering springs. Do not cut these plastic leads off or the coupler will not function.
Step 2:
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Before you begin the assembly of the coupler, inside the coupler box, I recommend you do a dry fit on your work surface. Make sure to test the alignment pin, located in the lower section of the coupler, to see if it mates properly with the hole in the upper section of the coupler. If all is well, your coupler should look like the coupler pictured here.
 
Note 2:         You will want to find something that fits under the coupler box, and fits firmly, so that you can use it to support the coupler box. This support takes pressure off of the truck assembly when you press down on the parts in the final step.
Step 3:
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At this point you will need to put the lower section of the coupler into the box, making sure the centering springs are seated inside the coupler box first. Next you will install the upper section over the alignment pin and the coupler box alignment pin. I like to use the screwdriver to maneuver the parts into the box since my hands are not young and spry anymore.
 
Note 3:         After properly inserting the upper and lower coupler half sections into the coupler box, plus making sure the centering springs are seated inside the coupler box, you can get ready to install the coupler box cover.
Step 4:
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Set the coupler box cover over the coupler box very gently, straight down as not to disturb the coupler sections. If you don't lower the coupler box cover straight down you may end up doing step 3 over again. Once the cover is aligned, with the single tab inserted into the hole, you can press down to lock the two forward tabs. Congratulations, you have now assembled your AZL coupler!
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