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Topic starter
19/04/2014 5:38 pm
Does anyone know how to fix this ...
without taking the car apart?!
It has popped out, and to my surprise it's on a hinge that seems to have a spring behind it. Pushing it back into the body of the car doesn't help--it just pops back out, and there's nothing to glue it to. Any suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
photo no longer available
20/04/2014 3:13 am
Harry, here's the trick. When you push this "gas door" back into position...as it it comes into...
...contact with the car (becomes flush to the body) push UP on it slightly (as if you were trying to push the top-tapered end INTO the bottom of the taillight chrome bezel).
Understand?
USE VERY SLIGHT but FIRM pressure.
If that does NOT work..try it again. If it still doesn't work then you can pick from the following options:
1) Remove the chassis to see what exactly is going on then fix it. I know this repair isn't for everyone...some are reluctant to disassemble their models.
2) With the chrome gas door open find a way to JAM heavy grease (even Vaseline) up into that slotted opening. The "heavy" grease will act as a "sticky" filler and will hold the chrome door shut.
3) If all else fails, you can simply glue the chrome door shut. CA glue (Krazy Glue) will obviously work but if you DON'T trust your skills then use white Elmer's Glue. This won't harm anything and will dry clear.
Hopefully this helps. Harry, it's the little things in life that drive us crazy!
-Chris
Happy Easter!
Topic starter
20/04/2014 5:37 pm
Thanks for your help, Chris ...
I should have explained what I had tried, which was pretty much what you suggest. I am pushing in and up, but it just won't stay in place.
I am one of those who is reluctant to remove the chassis, but I am going to give option #3 a try. I use Krazy Glue here and there for minor repairs on my diecast, so I don't have a problem with trying it. It's just that the hinge/spring mechanism is so strong, when I said there was "nothing to glue it to," I meant nothing that I thought would really hold it. Believe it or not, I think I am going to break it off the hinge and glue it on permanently. I don't need it to open.
Thanks for all your help and I hope you had a great Easter, too!
Harry