Mark A

The Remote This is a 5 part assembly. Start by installing the circuit board into the bottom half of the remote body The, place the "button pnels" into the upper half, and then keeping the button panel face down, screw the back onto the front. Pack 11 is now done!

Assembling the body Start by inserting two pivots, TR-11-75 into their respective sockets. The are a bit of a loose fit, so make sure they don't fall out as you go along with assembly. Now, we make part 12. This consists of 3 plates that are screwed together, creating a sliding assembly that provide support to the front of the abdomen. Now, using parts TR-11-35 and 36, capture the part 12 assembly , and fix 35 and 36 into place using both PB2.6x8 screws, and PM 3x8 bolts. There will be a lot of torque on this joint, so make sure everything is good and tight. Next, you'll position brackets TR-11-38 and 39onto the previously installed pivots, followed by two more of the TR-11-75 pivots. Parts TR-11-43 and 43 are then positioned, making sure that the cables run behind these two parts, and are up against the spine. Then using plate TR-11-79 and 4 M3x8 bolts, secure the two halves together. Following the last step, backing plate TR-11-51 is positioned, and bolted into place with 6 M3x8 bolts and washers. In steps 10 & 11, the two side panels to the abdomen are made, screwing the silver detail piece to the larger side panel. the screws used are part PWM 2x6. These two panels are then placed on the body assembly, and secured with PWB2.6x6 screws. The directions make note that the screwdriver will need to be well magnetized. They ain't kidding! The screw sockets are well down inside the part, and a weak magnet effect makes it a bit of a challenge to get them driven home. The next two parts to be assembled are more side panels. Secure these down with PM 3x8 screws. These are followed by a top panel that joins the two sides together. Use 10 more of the PM3x8 screws here. NOTE: when placing this top plate, route the cables through the hole in the middle. The next 4 steps are kind of fun. We are making the cooling fan assembly, and grill, followed by anchoring the top of the spine. Start by gluing the 4 fans, part number TR-11-47 to the base, TR-11-46. Next, mount the grill to TR-11-48, along with TR 11-49 and 50. Then, putting glue on the 4 posts on the fan assembly, press it into the sockets in the torso. Follow this with the frill assembly. also using a bit of glue on the posts. Lastly, install the bracket that secures the top of the spine.

Assembling the spine This step looks rather intimidating, but is really simple to accomplish. Do away with the idea of using a hammer, and use a pair of pliers instead. You'll need TR-11-25,26, and 27 to start. It is a bit of a juggling act initially to get the 3 parts into position, but I found it helpful to start the pin in part TR-11-26, then position TR-1-27 and 11-25. Give the pliers a squeeze, and the pin slips into place, locking the three parts together. Repeat this for another 5 assemblies, joining them together as you progress. The very last segment of the spine is a TR-11-26 and TR-11-28. Pin this as you have done before, only this time use the SHORT pin, TR-11-78. This creates part 9. Now we add the spine coverings, parts TR-11-24. These are held in place with PB2.3x6 screws. You'll be using all 8 of the 11-24 parts. Part of the base for the spine is next. Pay attention to the orientation of both the cables and the spine base. (As illustrated by the inset picture) The next assembly to be created is the large base and plate for the spine. Assemble part 11 as shown, then fix the spine to it as shown, using more 2.3x6 screws. This results in assembly "B" which is then bolted to the legs and pelvis assembly with M3x8 bolts and TR-11-86 washers. This completes the spine.

Assembling the left (and right) wheels Start by assembling the brake discs and calipers. (parts TR-11-16 and TR-11-18, respectively) You'll need a bit of glue to secure the calipers to the brake discs. Next, put the tires, TR-11-22, onto the rims, TR-11-20. I did not need to heat the tires to go on, as they are a loose fit. Make sure the "Autobot" logo is facing outwards when you mount the tires! Now, you'll mount part TR-11-14, followed by two brake rotor assemblies. These are followed by TR-11-92, then the two wheel assemblies. Lastly, place a TR-11-88 then follow this up with a PWB 2.6x8 screw. After the screw is driven home, you'll place TR-11-21 (hubcap) over the screw, thereby hiding it. TR-11-21 will need a bit of CA glue to secure it in place.

Pack 11, assembling the fuel tanks on top of the legs This pack will yield us the abdomen area, as well as numerous detail parts on the legs. We start by assembling the fuel tanks. Start with parts TR-11-01. Place these in position on the cast in brackets, and secure with 2 PB 2.6x8 screws. Next, stack parts TR-11-02 on top of the previous assembly, and fix with 2 more PB 2.6x8 screws. Next, assemble parts TR-11-03 and TR-11-04 together as shown. You'll need a bit of CA glue here to fix the 04 parts to TE-11-03. Now, mount this assembly to the fuel tank bases with PB 2.6x8 screws. You'll need the 8 rods for the next step. Array these around the fuel tank as depicted, then place TR-11-05 and TR-11-06 on top of the previous assembly and fix with a PB 2.6x8 screw, followed by the cap. You'll need a bit of glue on the cap to secure it in place.

Stage 36 & 37, building a regular wheel

Stage 35, Assembling the rear suspension This stage mounts the rear axle to the chassis, along with adding more suspension parts. Start by placing both the springs over the shock absorbers. Then, with the chassis assembly upside down, fit the rear axle into place. (The suspension arms both fit into the recesses on either side of the chassis) Turn the assembly over, taking care not to drop the axle out of position. You'll need to press the chassis down a bit to compress the springs enough to allow the shock absorber to protrude through the hole in the chassis. Fit a PS11 screw onto the end of the shock absorber so secure it in place. repeat for the other side. To continue, fit the arms into place in the recess, and secure with PS11 screws, repeating for the other side. (I found that I needed to wedge the arms into place while I drove the screw home. I used a second screwdriver to do this) Now we fit the drive shaft into place. The driveshaft will fit only one way, so match up the sockets in the floor of the chassis with the pins on the drive shaft. Insert the pin on the end into the rear differential and secure in place with PS25 screws. Next, the right and left stabilizers get fit into position. These are marked R and L, so there is no confusion. The arm should be on the INSIDE of the brake disc assembly. these are secured from the top with a PS25 screw. Taking the 2 transverse stabilizer bars in hand, note the difference between the two. One had a large hole, and the other a small hole. The stabilizer bar with the smaller hole is used first. Fit the bar onto the stabilizer bar holder, and secure with a PS25 screw. Now, mount the bar with the larger hole onto its holder, again using a PS25 screw to fix it into place. Next, you'll need the stabilizer bar connector. the pins match the holes in the two stabilizer bars. Click the bars into position. Now its time to fit the stabilizer bar assembly into position. Start with the left mount, placing it into its position, and using a PS25 screw to secure it in place. repeat for the right side. Finally, mount the connection onto the rear differential cover. Stage complete!

Stage 34, fitting the rear left brake disc This stage is a repeat of stage 33, so I am not going to repeat the step by step.

Stage 33, fitting the rear right brake disc There is a lot going on in this stage, so lets get to it! Take the hub and brake disc, and match up using the pin to correctly position the disc. Then do the same with the outer brake disc and the rear axle inside plate. Once this is done, mate the two assemblies together, aligning the 4 screw holes. secure with 4x PS34 screws. Next, fit the brake caliper over the brake disc, and fix into place with 2 PS21 screws. Now, fit the brake disc assembly to the rear axle. It will fit on only 1 way, so no need to worry about whether or not it's correctly positioned. Fix in place with 2 PS14 screws. The next step is to mount the traction arms to the rear axle. Take the arm holder, and one of the metal pins, and fit the holder into its recess on the axle. Secure using the pin, fitted smooth end first, and pressed home using a pair of needle nose pliers. The pin should be flush when fully pressed home. Now, fit one of the 2 suspension arms (They're identical) using another of the knurled pins to secure in place. Repeat this with the second arm. In both cases, make sur ethat the arm is positioned so that the screw hole is facing outwards! Lastly, fit the shock absorber into its shaped hole, and use a PS11 screw to secure it in place. Stage complete!

Stage 032, building the rear axle We start with the lower half of the rear axle. Using one of the caps, and a splined pin, insert the pin through the hole in the axle, then press it firmly into the cap. Repeat for the other side. Next, Place the differential cover into place, and secure with 2 PS11 screws. Follow this with the upper half of the rear axle. Position the upper half in place, and fix with 4 DS02 screws, then flip the assembly over and drive a PS25 screw home. Stage complete.

Pack 5 includes another wheel, and the rear axle. Stage 31, fitting the rear chassis This is a super quick stage. You'll need the chassis assembly from earlier stage.s. Simply mount the rear chassis to the previous assembly, and secure in place with 3 DS02 screws. Stage done!

I like the Blu-tack idea. It beats the heck out of the double sided tape! Mark

Looking fantastic, as usual! Best, Mark

Stage 006, Assembling the right door Using the door assembly from stage 4, place the door interior frame into place, securing it with 4 DS02 screws. Next, position the door lock, and affix with a PS01 screw. Now, take the interior panel, and snap it into place, starting with the tabs on the right hand side. The tab on the left will click into place, securing the interior panel. Stage complete.

Stage 005, building the right door interior panel There's plenty of color in this next stage! Start with the door interior panel, and press the trim panel into place, fixing it with 2 PS05 screws. Next is the interior door latch. Press the handle into the frame til it is flush, then place this assembly into position in the lower recess in the interior door panel. Secure it with another PS05 screw. Now, position the door handle onto the door panel, using the shaped peg as a guide, securing it with a PS09 screw. Stage complete!