Mod to remove Onslaught knee ratchet (possibly applicable to other figures)

[jaydisc]

My first Onslaught's legs didn't really hold together very well (the gray changes wouldn't stay put). I got another to see if it was a design or QC issue. Surprise, surprise, it's a bit of a QC issue. Between the two Onslaughts, I was able to put together one solid one. However, during the surgery, I noticed something pretty neat...

Firstly, I'm finding a lot of the recent leg ratcheting to be a bit annoying. Because thighs and knees can only move specific distances and not in between, finding a delicate pose can prove to be tricky. Some recent offenders include:

Universe Powerglide
Universe Silverbolt
Leader Megatron
Leader Bulkhead

So, back to Onslaught, while swapping his leg, I found by flipping a ratcheted washer over, I was able to get rid of the knee ratcheting, but still maintain a very tight joint making posing much easier.

Remove these two screws first:

http://lindalane.com/temporary/tf/DSC04280.jpg

You'll see the exposed ratchet-washer, gear side up:

http://lindalane.com/temporary/tf/DSC04281.jpg

Flip it over:

http://lindalane.com/temporary/tf/DSC04282.jpg

Put him back together and that's it!

I'm going to have a peak into some of the other figures I mentioned to see if it's as accessible.

[jaydisc]

Just did this to Animated Leader Megatron's knee and the thigh joint that spreads his legs outward. Great improvement as he doesn't look like he's busting for a p1ss anymore.

[Thanatos]

Gonna test on Onslaught now. Pics for Megatron please jay? Pretty please? ;)

[jaydisc]

Sure. Here's a couple:

http://lindalane.com/temporary/tf/DSC04296.jpg
I feel much better after that p*ss.

http://lindalane.com/temporary/tf/DSC04302.jpg
I said rock, m*thaf*cka!

[jaydisc]

I tried this with Powerglide and due to some confusion between two ratchet springs, I had a nightmare time putting him back together... stripped a few ratchet gears.

Regardless, he was just way too top heavy to be able to cope without the ratchets. I find that the rotator cuff right under his thigh is the biggest nuisance to getting stability with him. Perhaps mine is just extra loose?

[Kyle]

Sure. Here's a couple:

http://lindalane.com/temporary/tf/DSC04296.jpg
I feel much better after that p*ss.

http://lindalane.com/temporary/tf/DSC04302.jpg
I said rock, m*thaf*cka!

Wow nice! I'm not happy with the limited positions of Magnus' hip joints. Worth trying too.

[sifun]

love those poses.

[loophole]

i was just looking at my Megs did you just take out the spring and the little lug piece for the extra possibility??

[jaydisc]

i was just looking at my Megs did you just take out the spring and the little lug piece for the extra possibility??

I took these out:

http://lindalane.com/temporary/tf/DSC04318.jpg

[loophole]

ok cool i wasnt sure and then one popped out into the abyss of my room to be never been seen again

[kurdt_the_goat]

I'm not fussed enough to mess with my Onslaught, but I just did the Megatron fix, and i'm pretty happy with it. Only bad thing is i have to keep those little bits safe incase i ever want to put them back!

[loophole]

i ended up putting the knee ones back in mine as they seemed a bit too loose and unstable :(

[Tabias Prime]

i may have to give this a go.ive got the same problem not being able to pose properly. hadn't thought of doing this though.

i remember having a slightly different problem with my optimus primal, you moved one arm and the other one moved,bit of a p@^% off if you want to pose him. i ended pulling him apart and ripping the insides out.did it to a second one i got from a op shop as well and some mods to the forarms.


http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd33/Tabias_Prime/P020309_2118.jpg

[GoktimusPrime]

i remember having a slightly different problem with my optimus primal, you moved one arm and the other one moved,bit of a p@^% off if you want to pose him.
That's because Optimus Primal has a "chest beating" gimmick. But you can deactivate it with the black switches on his upper arms - it allows you to toggle between "chest beating" and "forearm spinning." I find the "forearm spinning" mode is better for posing and general toy play. The "chest beating" mode is more limiting for the reasons you've mentioned.

But Optimus Primal is definitely poseable without needing to modify the toy, as you can see in this stop motion animation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vYCqNbzRjg&feature=channel_page) I made using that toy. :)

P.S.: Nice forearm mods - looks like the lovechild between Optimus Primal and Rhinox. ;)

[Tabias Prime]

i found the switch to be a bit of a pain.i was never fussed about the whole chest beating thing, to me just another gimmick.I think my BWs Prime is still my all time favourite because he was my first transformer i bought with my own my money. i loved the beastwars toys so much because they where such a leap forward in transformers technology.transformers you can really play with and pose. i'd wish the old G1 were like that.i love the arm mod.there was a lot of work in getting then to fit.thank you to the block who introduced the Dremal. i still havent finished yet, needs a new chest plate.

[Wheel-J]

Just did this to Animated Leader Megatron's knee and the thigh joint that spreads his legs outward. Great improvement as he doesn't look like he's busting for a p1ss anymore.

Thanks for bringing this thread up again! :) It really works...nice and easy! :D