Procedure: Removing the camera bottom

To remove the top, you must undo three screws:

1. First, remove the film advance lever. On top of the lever is a special screw with two small holes. You can buy the special wrench needed, or, you can use a pair of pliers holding two paper-clip ends at just the right distance apart. Turn the screw counter-clockwise and it should come out. Next, remove the lever and the two small silver "washers". Set aside.
   
2. Next, remove the top of the film RE-winder handle. Pop it partway up, and, while holding the "film catch" (the part that usually sticks into the roll of film), turn the top counter-clockwise. It comes out easily.
   
3. The last part is the shoe. On top of the flash shoe is a thin metal clip that slides directly back. The FRONT of the clip must be "lifted" slightly before the clip can be slid back. AFter that is removed, there is one silver screw that holds the shoe in place. Remove it. (note: this actually holds part of the shoe, but more importantly, it's the only screw that truly keeps the top of the camera secure. The shoe is ALSO held in place, from UNDERNEATH, by two more screws)
   

Finally, being VERY careful, wiggle the top of the camera loose and pull it straight up. Do not pull hard or fast! There are two very small wires that are only about 2 inches long that connect the camera to the flash shoe-- if you pull too hard, you'll rip out the wires.

The entire reason for this operation was so I could re-secure the shoe. The flash shoe is ALSO held in place by two small screws that hold it in from the INSIDE of the camera. These screws fell out some time ago on my camera.