Linked meshes disort upon embedding...

I've modelled and animated a mining laser. I renumbered it, then, when I clicked on "embed shape," the claws on the end of my weapon become completely disorted. Is there any way around this? (I'm using 3Ds Max 8.)

Please help, this is the third time I've had to re-animate the damn thing, and a load of other problems. I'm having awful luck with this model.