Correcting MP Soundwaves's Restricted Foot Movement
Not sure how many this will help, but as was suggested I post a guide to the repair I undertook... hear it is! Not having looked through how these have been done for other issues bear with me; hope it’s understandable (my terminology makes sense) and not too clinical...
Figure: Takara Masterpiece Soundwave MP-13
Problem: Foot (right in my case) movement is restricted, preventing it being bent perpendicular to the lower leg to allow the figure to stand upright (Figure 1).
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Figure 1 - As far as the foot would rotate towards perpendicular
Cause: There is a burr at the top of the join seam on the circular joint on which the foot is mounted (Figure 2). The design of the receiving groove in the foot, specifically the additional ridge at the top of the groove (Figure 3), prevents the foot's full rotation when it catches on this burr. (Additionally, I suspect the burr has been created by over shot and leaching at the seam during moulding of this circular joint - hence potentially a repeated flaw).
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Figure 2 - (Sorry, poor photo) Ankle joint flaw.
http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/...ps10e422a4.jpg
Figure 3 - Ridge in the foot recieving groove that catches on the burr.
Step by Step Repair (as I did it – it may not be the best method but it worked):
- Remove the five screws holding the upper and lower foot together: the three screws on top of the foot (Figure 4) and the two screws on the underside at the toe (not photographed). NOTE: Keep the 3 screws from the upper foot separate to the 2 from the toe; the toe screws are slightly smaller... something I found out the hard way when trying to reassemble the foot.
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Figure 4 - Screws to remove from the top of foot.
- Gently pry the bottom of the foot from the upper part – it’s a tight fit and a bit tough to get moving but it’ll come. The upper foot is the part that mounts on the ankle joint. Once the bottom part is clear it simply lifts off the circular ankle joint.
- Use sanding sticks to smooth the burr and any raised moulding seam back to as perfectly round as you can – to minimise the likelihood of the foot groove catching and re-burring any part of the joint (Figure 5). I used a coarse grade stick before stepping down to fine grade/polishing stick. You could use a hobby knife in the first instance too if you wanted...
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Figure 5 - Sanded and smoothed ankle joint.
- Remount the upper foot on the ankle joint. Refit the bottom of the foot. Screw the foot back together.
All Done!
If something doesn't make sense, ask and I'll try and clarify. :) Good luck (and sorry) if you have to go through this repair too.
