Are Trackballs supposed to jump?

[Hoagie_one]

bought a used trackball off ebay and its a little dusty but looks good, rolls good.  Granted I havent took it apart yet.  But when I give it a thumb snap (Snap teh ball fast), it jumps up a little.  I gotta think that any jump means it's not rolling and thus not sending a signal.  Is this normal or do i have to replace some rollers ofr somthing?

Its a 3" imperial BTW

[cholin]

Backspin maybe?  I dont have a trackball, but lots of people have these problems due to sensitivity.

[paigeoliver]

It probably has dirt or something built up on the rollers.

[Hoagie_one]

let me rephrase my question.  Am I supposed to be able to lift the ball off the rollers slightly?

[IMMark]

mine does not lift up at all.

[JODY]

I've got a new Happ 3".

[ErikRuud]

My Imperial had this problem also.

Mine had some thin washers in between the two halves as some sort of shim.  I removed them and the "Jumping" problem went away.

[coasternuts]

I have an Ultimarc 2 1/4" that does this.  I would say for Golden Tee this is not good.  It feels like a loose fit between the ball and case.

But, from browsing the forums, it supposed to get better the more it's used.  Time will tell I guess. 

[Hoagie_one]

its better when i keep it flat.  I'll know for sure when I mount it

[Lilwolf]

Mine does this and I was a little annoyed... got new rollers hoping it would fix it (mine was used on ebay).

But in games, I ahven't noticed any problem yet.  but I dont play many spin it super hard games...

[RayB]

Maybe the bearings aren't quite as "free" as they should be...
Soak them in AeroKroil. Lube them with 3 in 1. Spin them with a drill.

heh.

Also check the springs underneath the bearings. (I dunno if yours has those, but in a Wico there are small springs). THese springs help keep the ball as close to the opening as possible, without it really rubbing against it. If those springs are compacted, then your gap will be a bit bigger than it should be, allowing the ball to jump up.

[Stingray]

I have the same trackball that you have and mine does not do what you describe.

-S

[SirPoonga]

I suggest looking into getting new rollers and bearings.  My happs did that for abit until I replaced the rollers and bearings.

[u_rebelscum]

I agree, the most likely problems are not good bearings, and worn rollers.  Open up the case (four screws on bottom) and take a look.

TheRealBobRoberts bearings how-to
TheRealBobRoberts trackball basics (including pics of good and bad rollers)

Bob has replacement bearings and rollers for betsons, which are different from happs.