Loose Nintendo joystick

[Chris]

The 4-way stick on my panel is from a Nintendo Donkey Kong, Jr. game; it is essentially the same stick as the VS games, but with a 4-way restrictor.

This stick feels very loose: it doesn't always return to center all the way, and the stick pulls up easily during play.

The stick assembly has (from the bottom) an E-clip, the round metal actuator, a spring, and a washer with a lip around the hole.

Is it possible I'm missing a small part heree that would take up the extra play, or do I just have a worn-out spring?

--Chris

[spidermonkey]

Sounds like you have yourself a worn out spring. Very common with Nintendo joysticks since Nintendo never used strong enough springs to begin with. Go to the hardware dept. at Lowes where they have all those pull out draws with all the specialty hardware stuff. They have ALOT of springs of all types. You may find the exact size you're looking for or you may find one with the same size diameter only longer. In that case you could just cut it down to whatever size you need. Bring the Nintendo spring with you so you can match something up. Remember, your spring is weak and worn so you're going to want a spring that is stiffer so that your stick will feel tighter. If you can pull the joystick shaft upwards without much resistance then your spring is definately shot.

[XtraSmiley]

Dude this this work for you?  I have a Popeye with a really weak stick (although it works fine) and I'd like to make it tight.  Let me know how it worked out if you still read this site.  Thanks.

[Chris]

Dude this this work for you?

[SaiNRuB]

I dont know if you can use parts off a 8 way nintendo joystick? 

How similar are the regular 4-ways from the DK Era and the 8 Ways from the Playchoice and VS Systems?


Im using a Omnistick Prodigy for my Nintendo Cabinet instead of an original Nintendo 4-Way. I never did get used to the throw on those Nintendo sticks, they always felt like a door stop with those boing boing springs to me.

[Chris]

How similar are the regular 4-ways from the DK Era and the 8 Ways from the Playchoice and VS Systems?

My DK Jr. 4-way stick is identical to a VS 8-way stick except for the restrictor.

[Redseven80]

Take the spring out and strech it (for a quick fix)

[pcates]

I had better luck finding springs for my Outrun at my local hardware store (ACE) rather than Home Depot or Lowes. ACE had a huge display with a ton of springs. The others mostly carry spring for screen doors and a few others.

Good luck, Patrick

[Kremmit]

I had better luck finding springs for my Outrun at my local hardware store (ACE) rather than Home Depot or Lowes. ACE had a huge display with a ton of springs. The others mostly carry spring for screen doors and a few others.

Good luck, Patrick

Echo that.  I have better luck finding any kind of game parts at a regular hardware store.  Home Depot has a bunch of mowers, paint, carpet, refrigerators, fertilizer, lamps, ets.  Plus a small little aisle with a few bins full of nuts & bolts & whatnot.  Ace, and some of the independant stores, have great big hardware sections with all kinds of neat stuff, but no refrigerators.

[Hoagie_one]

you could roll your own.  Just buy a mandrel (Metal rod) the same size as you need the spring, Put it in a drill and wrap wire around teh rod.  The harder the wire, the harder the springback.  They sell galvanized steel in 200 ft spools for like $5 at home depot.  You can get it in 12, 14, 16, or 18 ga, depending on how thick you need it.  Just match it up to the original spring.  wind it tighter for more spring, looser for less.

[Witchboard]

I have several Nintendo joys, but all are either 8-way or have had the restrictors removed.  If somebody could either take a good pic, or remove the 4-way restrictor and scan it so I could reproduce a couple for my Donkey Kong restoration, it would be most appreciated. 

/hijack

[Kremmit]

Here you go.  Adjust it so the "square part" (ignore the protrusions with the mounting holes) is exactly the same width as a US quarter when you print it out.

If you make some, think you could whip up some 2-ways for me?  I cannot find them anywhere.

[Witchboard]

Awesome!  Thanky!