[BrianG]

To remove the screws, use a dremel tool with a small diameter cutoff wheel and grind a slot in the head. Be careful though, a wheel too large will start cutting into the chassis before the slot is deep enough to be useful.

And yes, there is quite a bit of play in the shafts. I noticed this too on mine. As long as they don't fall out if the chassis flexes, it's good. But really, the chassis will flex up if anything, which means the outdrives will move closer together.