Kenner Imperial Shuttle tear down help!

[theressa]

Hi Gang,
Recently picked up the shuttle.
Its pretty clean, but the sound don't work.
I'd like some advice on tearing it down so I can look at the mechanisms.
Do I need to take just the bottom off, or top off? For now I'd like to take apart only what's necessary.
I'm pretty mechanically inclined, so you shouldn't lose me
I'd really like to hear this puppy!!
I've searched for Imp Shuttle sound fixes, nada! Only thing was another ship.
It did mention there may be no contact in one of the parts.

Thanks for any help, T

[rche]

Hiya T. The vintage shuttle makes sound via a motor with a gear that rubs against a little plastic tab.
It has been a little while since I have done a shuttle wing repair, but they can be a bit tricky.
You need a big area and some blocks to rest the center of the shuttle on when tearing it down.
The tricky part is to keep the springs and gears that operate the wings from popping out of place when you take the top off.
There are four (I think - like I said, it has been a little while) screws holding the top and bottom together.
It was easiest for me to do the teardown with the wings in the down position and the body held up on something. Remove the screws and tuck them away, then carefully take the top section off.
The motor for the sound is located just forward of the battery compartment (at the rear of the ship).
I would check with a good battery to see if the motor spins. Also check to see if the little plastic tab hasn't gotten knocked off and is making contact with the gear on the motor spindle.

hope that helps. Just remember to be careful not to move the wings when it is open so that the springs and gears do not pop out of place. I'm sure you can figure out where they go if that does happen, but it is a pain.

[theressa]

Hi Archie,
Okie dokie.
Do those 2 deeply recessed screws in the top have to be pulled?
Looking straight down in the top fin opening I see the small rectangular contacts, then the white round piece with the brass ring with notches. Nothing touches there. Then looking more to the right, I do see a small gear. I also see what looks like a strip of excess flash. The gear and the other components look real shiny!
Makes me wonder how long or if it worked for any length of time.
I did use new batteries and no movement.

[rche]

the motor might just be stuck. Try jumping it briefly with a 9v before you crack the case open to see if you can get it to work.

[theressa]

Okie dokie! Will do! Thanks for the advice so far

[rche]

yes, the top 2 screws need to come out as well.