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Sticky stick?

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:08 pm
by olderndirt
Got an X52 joystick, all of four months in service, creaking and sticking a bit.  Don't suppose there's a fix for this?

Re: Sticky stick?

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:30 pm
by Capt.Propwash
is the creaking and sticking coming from the black plastic piece at the bottom of the Spring on the Joystick???? if so, you might be able to put some Lithium Grease on it.  (turn stick upside down, pull "down" the black 'skirt' at the bottom of the spring while trying to hold the stick in place as that skirt is what helps center the stick to the base...) then gently apply a VERY THIN layer of grease on the bottom of it and then allow it to go back into place.

if you dont want to use the Lithium Grease, you might want to try to contact Saitek and see what they have to say about it.

Re: Sticky stick?

PostPosted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:53 am
by olderndirt
After perusing a few forums, I had applied a bit of silicone grease to several potential friction spots including the area you mentioned but the problem's still there.

Re: Sticky stick?

PostPosted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:14 pm
by raptorx
Mine does the exact same thing.  The pressure of the springs on the aluminum disk pushing down on the plastic edge that rises up.  I think the only way to not have it would be some kind of roller bearings...like what's used in wheel bearings on cars.

-Jim

Re: Sticky stick?

PostPosted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:43 pm
by olderndirt
As common a problem as this seems to be, you'd think a recall would be in order

Re: Sticky stick?

PostPosted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:14 am
by olderndirt
The word from Saitek support is to pull up the cone at the bottom of the spring, as Captain Propwash suggested, and rub the shaft and the underside of the cone white candle wax.

Re: Sticky stick?

PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:23 pm
by HarvesteR
I remember hearing a lot about this when I was researching whether or not I should buy it...

Ended up buying the X52 Pro, and at first, it was sticking a little, but the problem corrected itself over time... I guess I was lucky...

The sticking is a design problem actually,  Saitek chose to use a sliding cone that pushes against a plastic rim... friction here is inevitable...

but the right kind of lube surely must fix it... and candle wax looks like a very good choice, it's not liquid, won't run, and probably won't rub off too soon  :)

Cheers