Dairugger DX / Voltron - Removing #6 Top Part Safelly?

[dudleydrulert]

Today I received a holy grail collectible: a Popy/Bandai Dairugger DX! I've wanted one for years, and I'm excited to finally have one of my own.

Overall the toy is in immaculate condition. The Dairugger Sword, decal sheets and instructions are missing, which is a bummer, but I knew that when I bought the item, so no worries. The chrome antennae of #6, #9 and #10 are intact, although the #6 antenna is slightly bent.

Unfortunately it looks like the sliding blue top part of #6 had at some point been removed and reinstalled backward. The part looks to be undamaged, but I'd like to remove it and reinstall it correctly. Does anyone know how I might do this safely, without disassembling the vehicle or damaging any parts?

[Mr. Ginrai]

It's probably already broken - take that with a grain of salt though. I have had two vehicle voltrons and one was messed up and the other was fine.

The interior of that vehicle is the same on each end. The antenna can go either way but is assembled when the vehicle is put together.

The two tiniest shaped blue plastic ovals you have ever seen set how far out it can slide. The rectangle shape of the sliding piece itself stabilizes it.

With the vehicle separated from the others: Holding the blue slider part, pull the antenna all the way up gently until it stops at its normal place. Then put your fingers across both sets of lower wheels and shake. Vigorously. If you hear rattling the internal loops for that antenna are broken and you can slowly pull it all the way out and flip it around, as you will never be able to fix the internal pieces. It will still work fine.

I suspect many of these were installed both ways when these were being made.

The other alternative I suggest is to buy a junk matchbox #6 on eBay and disassemble it so you can understand what I am talking about. I would not disassemble your popy yet because it may be too brittle.

I have disassembled at least four matchbox ones and have some Junkers hanging around I can post pics of assembled and disassembled, but just not at this moment.

[dudleydrulert]

Thanks for the tips. I held the blue tower and wheels securely and then shook the vehicle. I heard no rattling. Here is a photo illustrating the issue, although obviously you know exactly what I'm talking about.

(I had to remove the embedded image. My web server has been "overused" in the last 24 hours for reasons I haven't yet determined.)