[Hallicrafters] SX-42 advice

[Jeff]

Hi All -

I'm rebuilding a SX-42 for my father -- was his first receiver. Making 
fine progress, but run into a couple of issues that no doubt have been 
solved by someone.

First, is there any way to replace the wax paper caps that live 
underneath the bandswitch - that appear to have braid for leads -- 
WITHOUT removing the bandswitch?  I've gotten all of them except for the 
two that I can see.

Second, it's deaf as a post at the moment.  Resistor and capacitor 
replacement are making a difference each time I test my work, but still 
very poor.  But the real issue is terrible distortion on signals using 
the BFO -- not present in AM.   The S-meter also behaves erratically as 
well -- going to try another 7A4.

Any advice on tracking down the BFO fault -- or any special tools or 
skills on those buried capacitors?

Thanks!

Jeff

WB3JIH