Help Adjusting Mini-Flightstick (GGG Night Mission)

[DarthMarino]

I recently got a pair of Night Mission Mini-Flightsticks from GroovyGameGear.  I initially had trouble hitting the diagonals so I bent the switch levers in quite a bit.  The diagonals work fine now.  There are still 2 issues:

1. The joysticks feel very loose.  The first picture demonstrates how much I can move the stick before they click the switches.  Very little effort is required to move them like this.

2. Occassionally, the stick will get stuck in a direction and won't return unless I push it back (very little force). I can alleviate the problem but lessening the amount of bend I have on the switches but then I run into the diagonal issue again. 

Any thoughts on how to improve them?

[RandyT]

First question:  Did you replace all of the parts of the stick correctly after removing them to install the unit?  These sticks have almost no play, and a strong return to center, so if you have that kind of slop, I'm guessing something is missing, or installed incorrectly.

[DarthMarino]

First question:  Did you replace all of the parts of the stick correctly after removing them to install the unit?  These sticks have almost no play, and a strong return to center, so if you have that kind of slop, I'm guessing something is missing, or installed incorrectly.

I'm hoping that's the case.  Everything is installed in this order from top to bottom:
Dust Washer
Pivot
Main Housing
Spring Stopper (larger diameter on top)
Spring (larger diameter on top)
Actuator (larger diameter on top)
E-clip

[DarthMarino]

I flipped the spring and it feels a bit better but I am still having an issue with the diagonals.  I think the switches are just too hard to push  in.

[RandyT]

I flipped the spring and it feels a bit better but I am still having an issue with the diagonals.  I think the switches are just too hard to push  in.

Is the hole in the panel too small?  If you have interference with the throw, it might be limiting your diagonals.  I don't see that kind of issue with any of the sticks here.

[DarthMarino]

The shafts aren't hitting the sides. I took one out of the panel to make sure but it feels the same way. I just think the switches are a bit tighter than I'm used to.  I may replace them at some point but they feel pretty good now.