So I'm on my 2nd copy of this guy as my first one panels kept falling off and was missing silver paint. I don't know if I just got lucky, but the QC on my 2nd Ironhide is perfect! The panels are rock solid and not falling off, the joints and paint are nice and tight. In fact I dare say the QC on this 2nd Ironhide is better then my Siege Ratchet. Not only that, but Ironhide just might have book his place as my fav deluxe of the whole line.

Does anyone know if there was a change after the first batch?

 

I believe I've heard something to that effect, yes.

I've also not had any significant problems with mine.

 

Mine is substantially looser compared to my Ratchet.

 

Anyone have tips on repositioning the head? Do you just pop it off or open his head a certain way? There was talk of his head not being on right but not much for a tutorial.

 

Has anyone had issues with the "turntable" bit that rotates the chest and arms during transformation just sticking in place and not wanting to move? I've had my Ironhide in robot mode almost constantly since I got it in 2019 but today I was transforming all my stuff that's not on display right now into alt modes for better storage and I can't get the chest to rotate around like is required for vehicle mode. I could keep torquing it, but I'm afraid of breaking something.

I also didn't have this issue with the Siege Ratchet. That was nice and smooth.

 

I just pulled mine off the shelf to check, and just noticed this. It doesn't seem to be a dangerous thing, whatever the mechanism is that "clicks" Ironhide's torso into place on robot mode seems to be the culprit, as after getting it unstuck from that point the turntable seems to move freely, at least for me.

My Ratchet doesn't seem to have as strong of a "click" as Ironhide, so it might be a mold difference.

 

I just got the Deeseus drone version and that turntable was crazy stuck on mine. It’s moving fine now but first time I really thought I was going to break it.

 

After your post I did go back and try again and after far more force than I was comfortable using it did unstick. Like you said, it seems like the tab or whatever mechanism it is that holds the piece in the robot mode position is the issue. It makes a very loud "SNAP" sound when you put it into or out of place, but rotates smooth otherwise.

I feel better knowing that it's not permanently stuck and not actually breaking, but it's still enough to freak me out and not want to transform him much, if ever, if I can help it.

 

Just wondering if there is a modified 3d printed van top portion for him so he can go Van mode??

 

Earthrise

 

I’ve thought about making one.
Perhaps I should follow up on that idea.