Fixing old Wico joystick tension

[coffeemaker]

I have a Time Pilot 84 machine that I'm trying to restore. The main problem is that the joystick is pretty loose and I want to know how I can get it re-tensioned.

I believe this is an old Wico joystick with leaf switches. Any suggestions is appreciated.

Thanks!
CoffeeMaker

[neuromancer]

I have a pair of old (i think) Wico leaf sticks. One is much looser than the other. I think there must be a spring inside the stick shaft, since the only visable parts are a bushing and the leaf switches.

Mine has a  bolt on the bottom of the shaft, I think. How's yours put together?

Bob

[Keith O]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the tension comes from the rubber grommit that the stick goes through. You can either replace the grommit or buy a new joystick altogether. I would suggest getting a new one.

[coffeemaker]

Thanks. I ended up finding a replacement Wico joystick from Bob Roberts. He mentioned that no one is selling the grommets anymore or they are charging way too much.

Thanks for the pointers!
CoffeeMaker

[Dave_K.]

Do you mind if I ask how much the replacement joysticks were from Bob?  Was this the red ball joysticks?  I noticed he hasn' t been advertising them for awhile.

I burned through a brand new set of red ball joysticks in a single year from playing Roborton while I had it in our office.  The rubber gromets simply tore apart (playing Robotron is a love/hate releationship).  I think I'm going to keep my next set lubed with grease every couple of months to make sure they don't dry out and tear.

Also, what was the price on just the gromets?

-Dave

Thanks. I ended up finding a replacement Wico joystick from Bob Roberts. He mentioned that no one is selling the grommets anymore or they are charging way too much.

Thanks for the pointers!
CoffeeMaker

[coffeemaker]

I think I should clarify. I only got the bases and leaf switches for the joystick. No shaft. Bob only charged me $12 for it and it's fine for me since the shaft on my existing stick is fine.

CoffeeMaker

Do you mind if I ask how much the replacement joysticks were from Bob?  Was this the red ball joysticks?  I noticed he hasn' t been advertising them for awhile.

[neuromancer]

I think I'm going to keep my next set lubed with grease every couple of months to make sure they don't dry out and tear.

If they are rubber, di-electric silicon grease from an auto parts store will keep them in good condition. I used that to keep my T-tops leak free for 9 years in the deep south sun.

Bob

[Darren Harris]

Time Pilot and Time Pilot '84(which is my favorite game) originally used Monroe(not Wico) joysticks.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

Searcher7@mail.con2.com

[Keith O]

What's the Monroe joystick like and how does it compare to Wico? I've never heard of that brand.