Please help. Control panel dismantled on floor. Cant get wico stick apart. Pics!

[edge]

I have a SmashTV cabinet with original control panel (see pic).  Since the CP overlay is in pretty good shape, I'd like to make a color scan of it.  I tried searching the web for the CPO, but without success.

I am looking for a way to remove the joystick handles with minimal disruption to the pristine wiring job that exists.  With the handles removed, I can get a good scan of it on a flatbed scanner (I hope).

Am I correct in thinking that by removing the small C clip on the bottom of the joystick, that I can easily remove the handle without having to unscrew anything else?  (see pic)

Thanks for the help.
Edge

[Kaytrim]

It's called an "E" clip but I think you are right.  Just be careful those things will spring off and you will never find them.  Cover the setup with a rag or other cloth to keep them from flying away.  Then use a small flat blade screwdriver to pry them off.  Getting them back on may be just as hard as taking them off.

[shardian]

You would be right. You have to do that to remove the whole joystick anyways. I'd recommend you go ahead and pull the whole joystick, clean it thoroughly, check the grommet and order new ones from ponyboy if they are cracked. I just restored the two wico 8-ways in my Top gunner and they work great.

[edge]

Thanks, guys, for the quick response.  I will try it out tonight and will post success/failure tomorrow. 

[_) (V) (-)]

Actually in the Christian world, that part is called a Jesus clip.

Mostly because after it slides off the shaft you'll hollar . . .
"Jesus! Where'd that dam thing go?"

If you don't want to tdo the rag trick, try this.
I just pinch my first finger and thumb on the clip as I pry it off with the screwdriver. Dosen't fly anywhere except into my fingers, then I don't have to bend over and look for it on the floor.

[shardian]

I use a pair of needle nose pliers. Slightly work off one side of the e-clip, then pull it right off. Never had a problem.

[ahofle]

Ditto on the needlenose pliers method.  I've never had to curse Jesus using that method. 

[edge]

I finally had some time to work on this project... I have everything laid out on the bedroom floor.  I got my wife settled in to watch Grey's Anatomy.  Kids sleeping soundly. Then... Problem.   

- I successfully pulled off the jesus/e clip from one of the joysticks.
- I unscrewed the top piece that holds the leaf switches.
- I removed the collar, 2 little springs and washer.
- I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how to get that rubber gasket off. 

See pictures below.

Please... Any ideas?

[Kremmit]

Sometimes they rust to the shaft.  (Sometimes = pretty often, actually.)  I've seen a soak overnight in Coca-Cola reccomended.  You could also try applying a liberal amount of 3-in-1 Oil or some other penetrating oil and letting that soak in.

[Texasmame]

It's called an "E" clip but I think you are right.  Just be careful those things will spring off and you will never find them.  Cover the setup with a rag or other cloth to keep them from flying away.  Then use a small flat blade screwdriver to pry them off.  Getting them back on may be just as hard as taking them off.

They're also known as a Jesus clip.  Why?  When you take 'em off and they go flying, you let out with a "JESUS!"

 

[edge]

Thanks, guys.  I don't get time often to work on the cab, so I had to seize the moment.

After the first one got stuck, I was scared to pull hard, fearing I was doing it wrong.  But the other 3 grommets came off easy. So....

I squirted the stuck one with wd-40 a bit (all I had on hand).  After I almost pulled a muscle trying to get it off, I ended up resting the control panel between 2 stools, face down.. And I used a hammer to hammer it out.  I know, not the wisest move, but it worked.

Now, where can I get a replacement grommet? 

Texasmame - is that an echo? 

[Kremmit]

Uh, oh.  I should have warned you about the hammer.  You don't just need a new grommet, you need a new handle as well.  Have a look at the bottom of your hammered handle, I'll bet you smashed the e-clip groove and mushroomed the bottom of the shaft.  If you didn't, you're lucky!  That's sure what happened when I took a hammer to one.  I suppose some time with a dremel could fix it, but... Ponyboy has replacement grommets and handles.  The handles are dirt cheap, and will really make your stick look like new when you walk up to the machine.  I replaced my damaged handle, it was rusty and the ball was dinged up anyway.

BTW, I found his grommets to be a lot softer than the ones that were in all my Wico sticks, so you might want to replace your other grommets at the same time, so they all match.  Or not, your call.

[edge]

Now you tell me. hehe.. Kidding.  I was planning on getting new handles anyway.

At least now I can get a good scan of the smashtv overlay.

Each day is another learning opportunity.

Thanks again for your help.
Edge