Ms. Pacman / Galaga Reunion 4-way stick problem

[shardian]

I have a new Ms. Pacman/Galagareunion stick that has a problem. When I move straight from left to right, or from up to down, The stick "pops" loudly. The motion is VERY clunky and is not going away with time. I have taken out the stick, and looked it over. It appears there is a grommet (I guess that is what it's called) inside the sealed case that is causing the problem. Is there anything that I can do to fix this?

[Kremmit]

No grommets in there.

A Reunion (or Super) will clunk if the pivot cone is installed wrong- Is your cone installed on the handle above the joystick base, with the wide end facing down?

[shardian]

Yes, I believe I remember looking up into the joystick and moving that part around. It did appear that the lip part of it was facing down. If I pressed up on it and then moved it around, the clunking went away. How do I remove that part to turn it around?

[Kremmit]

Remove the e-clip, pull out the handle, flip the pivot cone, replace the handle, replace the actuator, replace the e-clip.

[RickDIII]

Yep, its the pivot cone.  You've got it in upside down.  I only know because I did the same thing at one point. 

Good luck!

 

[Kremmit]

I only know because I did the same thing at one point. 

Heh.  Me too.

[shardian]

Ok, I took this thing completely apart and played around with it for awhile. I have determined that what is making the clunking is the spring grabbing onto the plastic shaft it sits on. It was assembled correctly in the first place. Now what?

[shardian]

I am thinking about selling this and getting a mag-stick-plus...

[Kremmit]

Something's not right, or it wouldn't be doing that. 

Have a look here.  http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/super_joy_e.htm
(It's a Super, but they're basically the same as a Reunion.)

Is the spring grabbing the part labeled 96-1421-00, or is it grabbing the raised center section of the bottom plate of the joystick body?

[shardian]

The spring itself is catching on the plastic that comes down from the TOP of the main joystick body. I have highlighted the area in the below pic. As far as i can tell, the clunk is caused by the spring hopping up on the lip of the plasticand getting snagged. I am thinking that I could sand tis plastic down, but think I should have to. You know what I mean? If I lift up on the joystick handle and move it around, the clunk doesn't happen.

[Dervacumen]

I had the same issue with both the Reunion and the Super.  Since I had an unopened Reunion stick, I compared the thunking one and the unopened one, and found that I had put the dumbell shaped grommet on upside down.  I think that grommet slightly changes the height the stick assembly rests in the body, and that caused the spring to stick.

[shardian]

I put this one together in every configuration possible. The thing didn't even work any other way. I am convinced it is assembled correctly. Maybe I could put in a washer or something above the bottom e-clip to tighten things up a bit. I'll take some pictures and video tommorrow and maybe we can figure this thing out.

Thanks!

[Dervacumen]

I put this one together in every configuration possible.

Thanks!

Man, I'm sorry, 'cause that's a major pain in the ***.  Nothing bites worse than a jstick config that should work but doesn't.

You may have a lemon.

[shardian]

 

Well, I went to do some video/pictures yesterday. After doing some before shots, I started to take things apart. I got to the pivot cone, and noticed that it was upside down. I decided what the hay, and flipped it over again. put it all back together and Voila! It worked. I know for a fact I flipped that dang thing around before and tried it. I must have switched 2 things around because it got worse then. Thank you all for your help. I can now finish my 4-way vertical cabinet in peace.

[leapinlew]

damn...

Way to hang in there!