BLI USRA Heavy Pacific wobble

[TinyTurner]

I got this used knowing that something is up with it, the seller obviously trying to hide its flaws, with the ubiquitous 'sold as seen' in the description.  I waited a good long while for the price to drop and still paid a little too much 
As it's undecorated, it will do for something on a branch way back when as a project engine.  It was paragon 3 anyway and could be updated. 

The sound chip is gone and is now wired for DC.  That was clear.
It lurches and wobbles like a proper drunk.  Not at all clear, and deliberately so.

I found the PDF destructions diagram with difficulty, the link was broken...so may be able to perform some train surgery. 

Would it still be under warranty being made in 2021?
How is BLI for sending parts?
Has anyone had success in tuning out the wobbles?

[garethashenden]

I'd be shocked if they did warranty work on a three year old model that was bought used after someone removed the decoder.

That said, if you post some pictures we might be able to find the cause. Could be a simple as one axle out of quarter.

[bbunge]

Twice I've emailed them with a query for parts, citing the part number from the diagram (this was for a Mike) and twice the parts have shown up in the mail about two weeks later with no communications - either an acknowledgement or a request for payment.  These were for gears, so small parts. 

I've had the running gear on this mike apart several times trying to track down a short.  Even though I thought I had marked parts up so I could put it back together quartered properly, it wobbled.  I've tweaked once since then and gotten it better. 

Bob

[thomasjmdavis]

I'd be shocked if they did warranty work on a three year old model that was bought used after someone removed the decoder.

That said, if you post some pictures we might be able to find the cause. Could be a simple as one axle out of quarter.

I have had one manufacturer send me parts for locos I purchased on eBay (although they considered me a good customer, I think, and that may have had something to do with it).  Another offered to fix the paint when some paint lifted on a loco I had owned for 15 years (my guess is that there was a fingerprint under the paint). With the paint, I figured it was likely to break off entirely if I shipped it, so I fixed it myself- but their offer impressed me.  So... some manufacturers will go out of their way to help out a customer. It never hurts to ask.

[TinyTurner]

Made a video to hopefully show whats happening.  Trying to up load videos doesn't seem to have got any easier.
Given the potential difficulty with customs, it might be better to attempt a fix. 
If it is viable, BLI recommend a store that deals in upgrading the sound in older models.