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Thought I would put out a word of warning for anyone looking to pick up Rodimus Prime. I just got mine today and the first time I was transforming it to vehicle mode, I noticed the rear exhaust pipes were very tight when it came time to rotate them down to connect to Hot Rod. Upon the second time I converted him back to vehicle mode, one of the pipe assemblies just snapped off with no warning! Needless to say, I'm very unhappy considering how difficult this toy is to track down right now. Turns out the post that the assembly rotates on is made of blue transparent (spoken fragile) plastic. If you receive a copy that has very tight exhaust pipes, be very careful or, better yet, exchange it for another one.

So, update. I managed to track down another Rodimus and do an exchange at a local Target. I brought it home, opened it up, and good news! Just kidding... this one broke too. Same exact problem. Upon opening the forearm, it seems to be a twofold issue. The pin appears to be forced into a hole which is not big enough for it, evidenced by discoloration and bulging around the edges. The same holds true for the hole on the outside. It's too small and puts far too much friction on the clear plastic post. At this point, I'm at a loss on what to do. Assuming I can even find a third copy, there's nothing to say it won't suffer from the same fatal flaw.

Out of curiosity, are both exhaust pipe assemblies tight on both samples you've bought? Did both break or just one side on each, and if the latter, was it the same side on each?

Wolfman Jake wrote:Out of curiosity, are both exhaust pipe assemblies tight on both samples you've bought? Did both break or just one side on each, and if the latter, was it the same side on each?

Both sides were tight on both of my copies. Only one broke on each figure, but that is likely because I stopped messing with them afrer the first one broke. The breakage occurred on the right arm both times. Don't know if this was coincidence or if that arm is more likely to break.

I just opened up my Rodimus Prime earlier this evening. The exhaust pipe hinges work just fine on my copy. They're not tight, letting me turn them easily, and they're not too loose either, so they'll hold their positions properly in eithers mode. There are two "stops" in the form of plastic pegs sticking out of the red plastic sides on mine that guide how far to turn the pipes between alt mode and robot mode. Does yours have these stops sculpted in, Lore Keeper?

Wolfman Jake wrote:I just opened up my Rodimus Prime earlier this evening. The exhaust pipe hinges work just fine on my copy. They're not tight, letting me turn them easily, and they're not too loose either, so they'll hold their positions properly in eithers mode. There are two "stops" in the form of plastic pegs sticking out of the red plastic sides on mine that guide how far to turn the pipes between alt mode and robot mode. Does yours have these stops sculpted in, Lore Keeper?

They do. After my most recent Rodimus broke, I opened his left forearm and cut away the plastic that was binding up the pin head. It was a bit of a hack job, but it did what I needed. The pipes on that arm rotate more easily, though still not as easily as they're probably supposed to.

Could you post pictures of the offending parts? Especially comparing broken vs. unbroken?

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Could you post pictures of the offending parts? Especially comparing broken vs. unbroken?

I would be happy to... If I hadn't already returned it to the store. Sorry, I guess I kinda dropped the ball there. Honestly, looking over at another broken Rodimus was just making me angry, and I wanted to be rid of it. But, if I have the worst luck imaginable and another one breaks, I will take pictures right away.

That's ok It happens, and if it happens to any of you others, please share pics. If it's common enough it should be newsed.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:That's ok It happens, and if it happens to any of you others, please share pics. If it's common enough it should be newsed.

I really hope nobody shares pics, I don't want this to be a common thing.

Emerje

Turns out I DO have the worst luck imaginable! Rodimus #3 is now set to be returned to the store. I made a short video showing the result that I'll embed here.

Yikes, making the exhausts out of clear plastic... But it being that particular arm on all 3 instances, may indicate a slight defect with the mold itself, leading to plastic tolerance problems. Definitely worrisome.

You got the batch number for that one? It should be embossed on the opposite side of the printed product number #E0902, or on the box somewhere.

Full number is E0902/E0601. There's a PN 00016871.

No, I'd need the 5-digit batch code... should be on the bottom of the back of the box, embossed (like a relief) and not printed.

Found it. 72871

Lore Keeper wrote:Found it. 72871

Thanks bunches, something to be on the lookout for.

I don't know what surprises me more, the fact that the same part has broken on you three times in a row, or that you can just walk into a store and exchange him with another one right off the shelf. I don't think I've ever seen more than two of the same Leader at any given store and they were usually gone the next day. I think the last time I saw more than two of the same leader at once was the Dark of the Moon line.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:I don't know what surprises me more, the fact that the same part has broken on you three times in a row, or that you can just walk into a store and exchange him with another one right off the shelf. I don't think I've ever seen more than two of the same Leader at any given store and they were usually gone the next day. I think the last time I saw more than two of the same leader at once was the Dark of the Moon line.

Emerje

I've been to every Target in the tri county area tracking down replacements. Each Target only received one case of leaders. I am THAT determined to find a working Rodimus. Given their close proximity,it's likely all three of my copies were from the same batch.

Lore Keeper wrote:I've been to every Target in the tri county area tracking down replacements. Each Target only received one case of leaders. I am THAT determined to find a working Rodimus. Given their close proximity,it's likely all three of my copies were from the same batch.

You're probably right. If they're coming from the same area then they're certainly coming from the same warehouse.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:

Lore Keeper wrote:I've been to every Target in the tri county area tracking down replacements. Each Target only received one case of leaders. I am THAT determined to find a working Rodimus. Given their close proximity,it's likely all three of my copies were from the same batch.

You're probably right. If they're coming from the same area then they're certainly coming from the same warehouse.

Emerje

But even toys in the same case (with the same nunbers) dont necessarily come from the same production line:

https://www.seibertron.com/transformers ... ogo/40277/

Plus, I never said all copies from that particular lot will display the same problem. Just that the chance may be slightly greater. But we can't say for sure until more reports come in.

For what it's worth, my Evolution Rodimus Prime, which has exhaust pipes that move easily, has a batch number of "73131." It was found at the Quarry Center Target in Minneapolis, MN on Monday 01/01/2018.

Wolfman Jake wrote:For what it's worth, my Evolution Rodimus Prime, which has exhaust pipes that move easily, has a batch number of "73131." It was found at the Quarry Center Target in Minneapolis, MN on Monday 01/01/2018.

73131, a later run. It may sound like the problem's been caught and fixed early on, but I'll be content with saying that 72871 had a hiccup on one of the lines. Keep them coming!

I just picked up one from target today and his pipes are just fine. I think mine had the same batch number as wolfman's did.(I don't have the box with me at moment or i'd just look) but it looks right.

Found men at Walmart tonight, lot number 73191. No problems I can see. I think it might be a nicer figure than the Masterpiece.