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17/10/2021 9:53 am
Hey all! My BRK30 has some sort of issue with the front axle, it seems to be loose and has a lot of upward travel. Because of this the model's front end sits too low (almost like an unintended lowrider clearance). I am trying to take it apart to fix this, but running into a problem. Once the screws are removed, the bottom plate doesn't want to come out. It seems to be caught on something, but I can't see it. Any guidance on how to remove it? Thanks
17/10/2021 11:00 am
Have you got it off yet?
I've taken a number of Brooklins apart (for one reason or another) and when the two screws are removed there is normally nothing else to stop the floor dropping out.
The axle is held in place by a kind of "subframe" fixed to the floor by two pins as shown here.
If the axle is lifting away from the floor it sounds as if that axle holder has become detached from its pins and has wedged itself against something - maybe the pillar the screw goes into, or the bodywork, or the seating unit, or the "prongs" which locate the grille/front bumper. If you can get a thin screwdriver or any kind of thin probe between the bodywork and the wheels, maybe you can poke it loose. Or see if the grille or bumper can be gently jiggled loose once the front screw is removed, and that may free things up.
Good luck.
This post was modified 2 years ago 2 times by Graeme Ogg
Graeme.M. Ogg
London U.K.
Topic starter
17/10/2021 7:16 pm
No luck so far. The folded top goes over and is catching at the shoulder line. The top is glued to the rear seat, which is glued to the bottom. That's what's prevention the bottom from dropping out. There is a bit of wiggle freedom, but I'm afraid to damage the paint if I go at it with more force. So I'm still stuck 
18/10/2021 4:41 am
Ah, right, so that's a different problem. In that case the only suggestion is one that I hear from Brooklin owners regularly, that Brooklin use a water-soluble white glue and soaking the whole model in warm (not hot) water will soften everything enough to pull gently apart. Of course that's easy enough for me to say, you might be nervous about risking it.
The only other thing I can think of is that if the loose axle drops into the proper position (resting on the floor) when you lift the model up, you might be able to work some epoxy between the axle and the floor at either end, then use a thin rubber band wound around the ends of the axle and under the floor to hold the axle down in position until the adhesive sets. Not what you would call an ideal "mint and boxed" restoration, but if you just want the model to sit right, and don't want to risk pulling it apart, it is one possible fix.
Maybe another Brooklin person will come up with another suggestion, but they've been keeping quiet so far!
Graeme.M. Ogg
London U.K.
Topic starter
18/10/2021 9:16 am
Thanks Graeme for the idea. This is an Indy pace car with decals, I'm going to stay away from water. As it is I've manhandled it enough. I think I'll just keep it intact.
I'll do what I've done for my white metal buses (which are glued shut and can't be easily taken apart) - cut a little support piece out of cork to rest the model's bottom plate on, to support the weight of the model and let the wheels hang in the air slightly. Time to go "on blocks".