Help! Ultra stik 360, trying to change to long handle.

[nickynooch]

Anyone with any advice here... I am trying to change my Ultrastik 360 to the long handle.  On the ultimarc site for instructions they just say (http://www.ultimarc.com/ultrastik_inst.html)

Long Handles and/or Replacement Spring:
There are two possible methods:
If your stick is not yet fitted to a panel, remove the 4 screws on the front of the faceplate and remove the swivel assembly.
If your stick is already fitted to a panel, remove the PCB by unscrewing the 4 screws.
Lift off the magnet assembly from the end of the shaft. Remove the E-Ring. CARE: we advise to avoid spring-loaded parts being lost, place a cloth over the joystick when removing the E-ring. Swap the shafts and/or springs over and re-assemble.

I got to the part where it says "remove the e-ring"... what is the e-ring and how do I remove it??!?!?!?!?! Any help or pics would be awesome.  I just hope someone else here has done this!
Thanks,
Nick

[Turnarcades]

I think it's also known as a C-clip due to it's shape:

[nickynooch]

Awesome I see that... now here's the question... how do you remove it?  I think it needs to go back on after I take it off so I don't wanna break it.

[Malenko]

Awesome I see that... now here's the question... how do you remove it?  I think it needs to go back on after I take it off so I don't wanna break it.

shimmy it off with a small flathead screwdriver. and a pair of needle nose pliers.

[Hoopz]

Carefully pry it off with a jeweler's screwdriver and make sure you don't flip it across the room.  Gently pry it so it pops off or slides off onto the counter/work area. 

[nickynooch]

Yeah these things are buggers to get off!  I may get lazy and just keep the short handles if I can't get these things off soon.  Thanks guys for the help!

[fjl]

Awesome I see that... now here's the question... how do you remove it?  I think it needs to go back on after I take it off so I don't wanna break it.

Taking it off is usually a cinch with the right tools. A small flat screwdriver will do the trick. But don't do it too quickly or it could go flying across never to be seen again. Putting it back on tends to be harder and tedious.

[fatfingers]

I suggest attaching a vise-grips to the e-clip before removing.  Then it won't fly away.

[isucamper]

I recently just went through trying to figure this out too.

I used a very small flathead screwdriver and wedged the head into one of the small gaps between the ring and the shaft and pryed it off very carefully.  Then, it is a test of might to get the ring back on.  I went outside and pushed it against the concrete sidewalk until it popped back on. 

[Hoopz]

I realize that the OP probably has this resolved by now but I wanted to post this link for anyone who may not have seen this thread from awhile ago.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=41571.0

In it, several tools are mentioned and linked to that are made to get these clips off the base of the joystick.  Maybe someone searching will find this thread or the other and get the help they need. 

Edit:  Funny, I posted in that thread and had forgotten about.   

[Bender]

[nickynooch]

Thanks for the pics... I was tryng to pry it totally wrong.  I'll attempt that way too.

Thanks to whoever showed the link to the old post... I searched earlier but somehow missed it apparently.  That link helped.

Such an awesome community here.  I'll make my second attempt at prying it tomorrow.

Is it warped once you get it off? Or will I be able to use it again once I get the long jostick on?

[fatfingers]

Assuming you can find it, you will be able to use it again.  Once again, I suggest using a vise-grips when taking it off.  Using one to put it back on isn't such a bad idea either.

Good luck!

[Hoopz]

Glad to help.   

I'd also suggest going to your local hardware store and buying a few replacement e-clips or whatever they have.  If you're in the States, I know that Lowes has various sizes in stock.  It's pretty easy to find the right size for those "just in case" moments.

[Bender]

I do the who thing inside a large ziplock bag so I don't lose anything
I learned my lesson after the first time, stuff shot across the room and I was looking for parts for hours

[nickynooch]

Wow.  I now feel dumb for making the post.  That was sooo easy after using the method in the picture.  I was prying it totally the wrong way!  I didn't know to insert the screwdriver in the gap when I initially tried.

Anyway, the long handle came with a black rubbery cylander piece.  I'm guessing this goes on the bottom just below the spring. Has anyone else done this yet and put this piece on the bottom?
thanks,
Nick

[Visitor Q]

Any particular reason you are switch to the long handles?

[nickynooch]

Any particular reason you are switch to the long handles?

Well mainly I read on here from a lot of people that the U360 is best with long handles and hard springs.  I also have a couple cabs (UMK3, Bad Dudes, Primal Rage, etc) at my house and I compared the playability.  Since my favorite game is Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (I have the cab) and the early 90s games... it seemed that I prefer the playability of long handles.

Just better controll for the back-back-forward type moves. IMO

[Visitor Q]

Cool.

Did you ever get these installed? Who do you like them with the longer handles?

[nickynooch]

Cool.

Did you ever get these installed? Who do you like them with the longer handles?

Yes I did!  Thanks tons to everyone here, otherwise I would've given up. The long handles I dig a lot!  I'm glad I didn't quit.  I also installed the "harder" springs.  They are pretty cool too.  Just gives it a little more tightness.  I could go either way on the spring, but I am happy with them.

The long handles I ended up extremely happy with.  I recommend to anyone who's fav games are fighting games.

Anyway, thanks again everyone!

[Visitor Q]

Good to hear.

I ordered the long handles, hard springs and restrictor plates.

[nickynooch]

Good to hear.

I ordered the long handles, hard springs and restrictor plates.

Yeah I forgot to mention I have the restrictor plates.  I have those too... an absolute nexessity IMO.

I think you will enjoy the extra stuff.  I do!  If you have any questions on installing I'm a pro now haha.