taking apart the namco 5 in 1 joystick?

[madscijr]

I have one of these Namco 5 in 1 TV games lying around. It's neat and all but what I really want to do is "liberate" the joystick to install in my DIY MAME console, as the joystick has a pretty good feel & sensitivity as far as classic arcade controls go. I have the whole thing taken apart & see the wiring will be simple, it's the same kind of wiring as in the Atari 2600 joysticks (up/dn/rt/lf/fire all share a common ground). The part that I'm having trouble with is how do you remove the red ball (or the plastic piece at the switch end of the stick) to slide the shaft in & out of a console panel? I don't want to break the end piece or bend the shaft. Is there some simple trick to do this?
Thanks

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,30499.msg257137.html#msg257137

[amendonz]

Does the bottom of the shaft have a slot for a flat head screwdriver to slot in? If so give that a try, to hold it still.

[madscijr]

Thanks for the reply...
Alas, no slots, just a smooth plastic end piece, which already appears to have a couple of micro cracks in it (!) not even caused by me, I'm afraid if I apply pressure the piece may shatter. I could maybe replace with a metal end bolt & threading the end of shaft with a tap wrench if not already threaded, or strengthening plastic by filling in cracks with krazy glue or epoxy, etc.
It would seem preferable if the red ball end could just unscrew. I'm guessing these aren't made that way for safety & to make it harder for kids to break. I could hacksaw it off then drill out & thread the hole & shaft, but this is a lot of work & would shorten the shaft (not a big deal). I would be more concerned about bending or scratching up the shaft (I can hold it in a vice sandwiched between wood shims or newspaper to protect it).
Would prefer to take it apart non-invasively if there is a trick to it...
Thanks again....