T-Stick + won't switch modes

[Kremmit]

I just got two T-Stick+'s from Gozur (thanks!), and I swapped the handles for the balltop replacements.  Now when I lift and pull to make the mode switch happen, the switching mechanism just spins around the joystick shaft, and the modes don't change.

Anybody else have this trouble, and what do you do about it?

[krick]

Are you sure you have it assembled properly?

[Kremmit]

Yup, checked that repeatedly before posting.  I only switched one stick at first.  When it didn't work right, I double-checked it against the other one.  Then I triple checked it against the diagram on the Ultimarc site.  Then, I tried dis-assembling the good stick, and re-assembling it again right away, still with the stock bat-top.  Now it won't switch, either.

It's like there just isn't enough tension holding the u-bracket to the shaft when it rotates.  I suppose I could glue it to the locknut, but it seems like that ought not be required, ya know?

[crashwg]

Get one of those washers that looks like a spikey flower and put it between the stick and the U-Bracket thingie...

[NoOne=NBA=]

There's a really thin line between working/not working on them.

You have to have the nut tight enough to create a good amount of friction, but not tight enough to push the U-bracket down into the grooves on the restrictor.

How I adjusted mine is so that the U-clip just BARELY clears the restrictor walls when the stick is rotated around without pulling.

[Kremmit]

There's a really thin line between working/not working on them.

You have to have the nut tight enough to create a good amount of friction, but not tight enough to push the U-bracket down into the grooves on the restrictor.

How I adjusted mine is so that the U-clip just BARELY clears the restrictor walls when the stick is rotated around without pulling.

That's exactly how I've got mine, but still no joy.

 

Posted by: crashwg      Posted on: Today at 12:53:11 AM

Get one of those washers that looks like a spikey flower and put it between the stick and the U-Bracket thingie...

Already got one there.

[NoOne=NBA=]

OK.
See sig for details then. 

[NoOne=NBA=]

You might try stretching the spring a bit first.
That may give it more of a bite on the nut.

[SideShow Rob]

I've had the same problem with a couple of new T-Stick Plus sticks...

NoOne=NBA= is right about the thin line between working and not. The way I altered mine is as follows:

Pull the U-Bracket all the way into the grooves of the actuator, and hold it there with one hand, tightly. With the other, tighten the locking nut. Periodically check the mechanism to see if it engages correctly. If not, continue turning the locking nut until done.

I have 6 T-Stick Plus sticks, and every one has been tightened to show roughly 1.5-2 threads of the threaded end of the shaft...the attached picture will explain this better.

[Kremmit]

Ok, they're working now. 

I didn't want to have to tighten them down so far that the u-clip actually engaged the slots on the actuator- After all, if it did that, what would be the point of the lift-n-twist in the first place?  So, I had previously tightned the nuts until the u-clip was almost touching the actuator.  I just tightned a little bit more, to where the clip appears to be actually touching the top of the actuator, but the handle still rotates freely, and voila! 

You weren't kidding about the thin line between working and not- we're talking thin like two sheets of paper thin.  It seems like it might loosen over time and stop working again, but I suppose I haven't heard anybody complaining about this.  I guess if it did, a star washer between the locknut and the u-clip might help as well.

I can't help but wonder why the portion of the shaft between the threads and the actuator wasn't flattened, and the hole in the u-clip cut with a flattened side to match, as that would remove this problem, as well as the need for the toothed washer between the spring and the u-clip. 

Oh, figured out the answer while I was typing- the extra machining would probably up the price bymore than the the toothed washer costs, and these are already not cheap sticks.

Thanks to all who helped!