Modification tip: Scavenger only has a 72-degree bend to allow for his arm to rotate outwards. Casual inspection shows that there is an unnecessary block of plastic included into the side of the shoulder assembly that gets in the way of a full 90 degree rotation. Solution: See picture 1, simply slice off the highlighted green block in picture 1. The plastic is soft enough that you can easily push a normal box cutter knife through. Of course, take care not to slice off more than you need to. This will allow Scavenger's shoulder to rotate to an almost-perfect 90 degree bend. While I don't plan on owning the complete Constructicon set, I believe I can say with confidence that this modification should not impact Devastator's arm connections in the slightest. ---------------------- That said I'd like to ask other SS Scavenger owners if their own figure's top wheel (fused to Scavenger's neck) is easy to rotate? I've noticed that mine is quite tight - it would not even bend at first. Opening up the assembly reveals that the cross-reinforced post even twists from -|- to -/- while attempting to bend it! See picture 2. It's relented and allows itself to be bent for now, but I'm just worried it might decide to snap some time in the future. Does anyone else have this problem with their own figure? UPDATE: I've successfully diagnosed and solved the problem - see comment #4.
Whilst my Scavenger's top wheel doesn't spin like a weather vane, it doesn't offer much resistance when rotating.
I have to twist mine about 30 degrees before the friction within gives way and the assembly turns properly. The post doesn't have stress marks but I'm still not quite comfortable with doing this, which especially sucks because I still have to rotate the thing 180 degrees as part of the transformation. I'd remove the thing to sand down the post but it's impossible to, it's pushed in way too tight.
Small update: I figured out what it was. The larger lower friction disc that's right above the bent cross-post? The radius is about 1mm too large, causing it to be horizontally jammed into the slot. It was so wide, it was actually splitting part the plastic on the thinner plastic slot roof above, forming micro-fissures (without stress marks) right at the U-bend where the peg fits against. I managed to pop it out after excessive applications of dishwasher liquid (thanks Jobby) and find out that problem, then hacked the larger disc down to size. There's still a lot of vertical friction between the slots and the disc mind you - apparently, the molding cast shifted a little and added a very thin extra layer to the bottom side of the slot. I still have to twist the wheel before it starts to bend, but now it gives way at only a very gentle 5~10 degree bend as opposed to the previous 30~45 degree bend requirement. If I want it any looser at this point I'll have to sand down the slot. Regardless, it's a miracle that the cross-post never showed any stress marks in all the abuse it's taken until the lower disc finally got shortened. As a bonus, I can easily slide that wheel half out now! Strangely enough, this joint seems to be overengineered - the smaller upper disc isn't even required. It, and the peg between it and the lower disc can even be sliced off and it shouldn't affect a thing. Edit: I've decided to run a blade along the inner side of the slot and shaved off a bit of black plastic - the turning is much nicer and looser! I think I only have to twist the wheel by a maximum of 5 degrees to get it to bend now. Hooray!
