Whats your method for fixing/lubing trackballs?

[Sarver Systems]

Here's my method, but please post what you do.

Disassembly, marking the underside of the cabinet with where the wires exit, so I put it back together the same way.
Open the trackball.
Remove the ball.
Remove the idle bearing.
Remove the 2 tracking bearings.
Remove as many bearings off the ends as I can, and spray a tiny drop if WD40 White Lithium Grease into the bearing.
Clean the shafts by using a small piece of fine grit emory cloth. Its only needed to clean the center of the shaft where the ball touches.
Clean the ball itself with windex and a clean towel. Maybe a coat of wax?
Reassemble.

It may take a day or 2 for the lithium grease to fully saturate the bearings, but once it does, you'll definitely notice a difference!

Am I missing anything? Better suggestions?

[ed12]

no u perty much nailed it,
i will add how ever where the the track ball
see's heavy use,look at the center of the 2 spinng shaft's
they tend to grove,at that point the shaft is done.

ed

[Sarver Systems]

I have seen a few that were pretty well worn. As long as they were evenly, the ball will still travel well enough. If they wear unevenly, the ball will roll very choppy, and the faster you spin it, the more noticeable it is.

Is there a supplier for replacements? Same for bearings.

[ed12]

yes there is
up here in the great white north i use cbs bearing's
they are from the usa,so u should beable to source the bearings from them..
use a mic-gauge.
if u need i can run down there spec for u
the axiles i use wico,or happ control's
aslo i will point out,u might want to do a how to on cleaning the optic's
as they get filled with lint

ed

[Sarver Systems]

Good call, I'll add that.

Ed, if you have any feedback to add to my post in the monitors section, I would appreciate it. Its the bulk cap list post.

[ed12]

no u are perty much on the mark for $$$$
in that thread..i pay alot less because i bring 100 of each value
so in truth i have nothing to add

ed

[Ken Layton]

Bob Roberts has several good write-ups on trackball rebuilding:

http://homearcade.org/BBBB/tracks.html

http://homearcade.org/BBBB/moretb.html

http://homearcade.org/BBBB/track1.html

http://homearcade.org/BBBB/track2.html

[Sarver Systems]

blocked at work

[Mario]

Bob Roberts has several good write-ups on trackball rebuilding:

http://homearcade.org/BBBB/moretb.html

I used Bob's drill method with my TB. However, I highly recommend against using a reaming tool One slip and...well, ouch! I did my TBs a long time ago and IIRC I used a plastic pen and it provided enough friction to turn the bearings.

Mario

[Xiaou2]

 I used RadioShacks electronics / component cleaner.  Spray one side of the bearing.. let soak in for 15sec.   Spin at high speeds for 30 sec.
Repeat process once more.   Then flip bearing over.. and repeat for that side.   The stuff eats all the grime, and or passes it out of the bearing... and dries without any residue.

 Most times, I wouldnt use a lubricant.  Arcade trackballs in home setting probably will never see enough revs to warrant it.

 However, Ive been thinking about this more.  I would try F21  (Formula 21).   It contains Urethane, and its slick as heck... and not easy to remove once on a surface.  Urethane is impact tough and slick and smooth... its what they use for rollercoaster wheels.

 Ive used F21 in replace of Wax on Pinball Playfields... and the result is night -vs- day.   20% ball speed increase..  no dirty flakes or wax & dirty ball-trails.   Barely a sign of dirt, even after a month of constant Arcade abuse, in a busy mall.   Previous clean & wax... used to be required once a week... and by 2nd week... the playfields would be coal miner black.    Operated with F21 for over 2yrs, and no wear or problems.  Cleaning was a cinch... a quick wipedown.

[Sarver Systems]

VERY VERY good info to know on the F21!

I have many pins to clean as well, so a dual purpose cleaner/lubricant is a bonus!

[Sarver Systems]

Is this the stuff?

<link and image removed to avoid confusion>

[Xiaou2]

Nope.  The stuff is by Turtle Wax.  err - I think its called Formula 2001.  Its in a neon green bottle.

[pbj]

The bottle says F21 on it now.  It's pretty much all I use on pinball machines now that Xiaou2 got me hip to it.  I'll still do the Novus 2 -> California Gold routine for the initial cleaning but you're good to go with his spray bottle after that.

http://www.turtlewax.com/shop/products/turtle-wax-f21-super-protectant-10-4-fl-oz-

[ChadTower]

Hrm... additionally it adds UV protection... while that may not matter in most cases those of us with black lights might want to consider it.

[pbj]

Yeah, I slathered it all over my pinball cabinets that are in a den with windows now.  So far, so good.

[yotsuya]

I thought your icon illustrated the way you lubes your trackballs, James.