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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: bratwurst on October 07, 2012, 01:20:38 pm

Title: Trackball sluggish, almost like debris in bearings working against it
Post by: bratwurst on October 07, 2012, 01:20:38 pm

I bought a trackball brand new when I built my cabinet, but it has always seemed bad to me.  Like it didn't work properly.  There's just nothing smooth about it.  It's a happ trackball and it takes effort to move it.  The thing sounds like the bearings are a bit off, almost like they've got some sawdust in them possibly from when I built the thing.  I'm not sure.

I saw some threads here about re-oiling the bearings.  Do you think that's all I have to do?  And if so, how do I disassemble and go through that process?

I made a very short video so you can hear the sound of this thing and how it barely moves.  I'm not sure how great a video demo it is but I thought it might help.

Trackball (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSiTJWXj8XA#ws)

Any thoughts or guidance appreciated.

Title: Re: Trackball sluggish, almost like debris in bearings working against it
Post by: yaksplat on October 07, 2012, 01:41:07 pm

See what happens if you losten the screws that hold the trackball together.  When mine were tight the ball barely moved.  I ended up putting spacers in the case and now it's smooth.

Title: Re: Trackball sluggish, almost like debris in bearings working against it
Post by: bratwurst on October 07, 2012, 02:37:54 pm

Loosen the trackball from the mounting bracket? Is that where you put the spacers?

Title: Re: Trackball sluggish, almost like debris in bearings working against it
Post by: bratwurst on October 07, 2012, 02:43:21 pm

Are there places I can buy new ball bearings if necessary?

Title: Re: Trackball sluggish, almost like debris in bearings working against it
Post by: yaksplat on October 07, 2012, 03:32:48 pm

the bracket and the screws holding the trackball together.  There are 6 of them.

Title: Re: Trackball sluggish, almost like debris in bearings working against it
Post by: bratwurst on October 07, 2012, 04:19:06 pm

Ok I will take the trackball out of the cab first and oil the bearings. I bought some 3-1 oil after reading a different thread. When putting back together I will see about not putting it back as tight

Title: Re: Trackball sluggish, almost like debris in bearings working against it
Post by: TopJimmyCooks on October 07, 2012, 07:41:11 pm

Dude, loosen the screws and try it before you take it apart.  Take good advice.  it happened to me as well.  the plastic case can flex when the fasteners are too tight and bind the ball. 

Title: Re: Trackball sluggish, almost like debris in bearings working against it
Post by: bratwurst on October 08, 2012, 10:29:27 am

I opened it up and the rollers were full of gunk, and when I cleaned them off, they still had a worn in line that I could not remove.  So I cleaned it up, oiled the bearings with the 3-1 and put it back together.  I left the screws a little looser this time, and the thing is now quiet and works a LOT better.

I took some pics of the grime, but I don't have them here at work.  I'll try to remember to load them up tonight if anyone is interested.

Title: Re: Trackball sluggish, almost like debris in bearings working against it
Post by: pinballjim on October 08, 2012, 10:57:36 am

I wrap a little sandpaper around the rollers and spin them around in my hands a little to smooth out that groove in the middle.

Title: Re: Trackball sluggish, almost like debris in bearings working against it
Post by: paigeoliver on October 09, 2012, 09:15:11 pm

And new rollers aren't that pricey, particularly if it is your only machine.

Title: Re: Trackball sluggish, almost like debris in bearings working against it
Post by: surface tension on October 10, 2012, 08:40:19 am

I've spoken to a rep at Happ about this and they claim I'm the only person to have reported the issue. I now re-oil all the bearings on our systems before installing. It's time consuming and shouldn't be something I have to do, but it's better than an unhappy customer.