Just picked up an Atari logo joystick, and it feels pretty "flimsy" very loose

[mrclean]

I'm not sure but to me the joystick from Atari feels way too loose, very "flimsy". Below is what the exploded view looks like. It almost seems like mine is missing a part, but after taking it apart it seems to have everything in this exploded view. I heard about a plunger? What do I need to make this thing feel correct again? Or is the joystick supposed to feel this way?? I'm used to wico's which are alot tighter.

[TheShanMan]

Here's a rebuild service: http://www.videogameparts.com/product.sc?categoryId=3&productId=3

My logo sticks don't have a flimsy feel.

[mrclean]

Here's a rebuild service: http://www.videogameparts.com/product.sc?categoryId=3&productId=3

My logo sticks don't have a flimsy feel.

Yeah I heard he used to be a tech for Atari (Stephen). I might end up going that way just seems kinda pricey IMO... Supposidly he used to charge 35.00. I feel for around the 50.00 range i'd be able to get someone to cough up a NOS one, and keep this as a spare.. however Atari sticks seem to be higher priced then wico's. I noticed someone was selling 4x on KLOV for 80.00 used and said that they meticuliously cleaned them.. but if they don't center properly I'm still in the same boat.. I was offered one of those for 29 with shipping but that was when he wanted 100 for the 4x.

[TheShanMan]

videogameparts.com also sells complete sticks that are already rebuilt with NOS parts for $68 I think it was, so that's an option too, or you could just be patient and wait for someone to sell one here, on KLOV, or on ebay.

[Atari J]

The part called the plunger wears out on those and gives them a sloppy feel.

http://www.videogameparts.com/product.sc?categoryId=-1&productId=356

I have a Atari Assault. One stick is still pretty ok and the plunger still looks sorta like in the pic on that link. my other stick is loose as hell and the plunger is just in horrible shape. Take yours apart and take a look. I bet thats all you need. Installing a new one yourself is very doable and not very hard.

[2600]

Another common part that wears out on the logo joysticks is the pivot ball.

http://www.videogameparts.com/product.sc?categoryId=66&productId=403

I've got a few that I bought from them that I no longer need, PM me if you are interested.

[mrclean]

I can take the stick apart to the point where a pin is preventing me from opening it up.. I can get it to look like the exploded view, but what's the method for taking the rest apart without damaging the pin ?

[TheShanMan]

See my reply to your post in the other thread.

[mrclean]

Do you have a link to the proper tool that's needed to take the pin out safely>?

[Atari J]

Do you have a link to the proper tool that's needed to take the pin out safely>?

I won't recommend it but i just took mine out with a thin nail and a hammer.

[mrclean]

In the event that I break it.. so in other words before attempting, how available are those pin sizes ?

[TheShanMan]

Pin punches look like this:



I suggest going to your hardware store before attempting this to verify that you can find the right size as a replacement if necessary.