SC2 arcade stick maintenance question

[Soi]

I have a question for someone who knows about modding/repairing arcade sticks.

Basically, I bought a 2nd SC2 Hori stick for the PS2. It seems to be in a different batch to my first (which is lovely btw), as the artwork on the plexiglass is lighter than my other one. Anyway, the stick was a bit stiff, so I tried loosening it up a bit (loads of 360s etc). It got looser but started squeaking. So last night I took the thing apart…

I think the problem is that the ball and socket arrangement (just above the spring) does not move smoothly, but rubs when you move the stick. The spring tension is fine now, and the stick is ok to use when playing normally. The only problem is that when you move the stick slowly (past when the switches have been depressed) it 'sticks' and does not move smoothly to its extreme. It also makes a squeaking sound, which says to me that something is rubbing when it shouldn't. As I said, when playing VF4e it doesn't matter as you tend to make quick movements (preferably not using the whole stick range). But, I want my new stick to be sorted out.

What do I need to do? Remove the stick and spring assembly again and liberally apply WD40? Any other suggestions as to why the stick might not be smooth?

[Thurrabred]

My suggestion would be to clean off the large square main section at the point where it connects with the plastic dome shaped bit (i'm so technical) making sure no bits of plastic have become coarse or anything like that. Do the same with the small dome bit that sits against it controlling the rotation of the stick.
Then spray that same bit with WD40 and you should be good to go.

[Soi]

My suggestion would be to clean off the large square main section at the point where it connects with the plastic dome shaped bit (i'm so technical) making sure no bits of plastic have become coarse or anything like that. Do the same with the small dome bit that sits against it controlling the rotation of the stick.
Then spray that same bit with WD40 and you should be good to go.

That is a good suggestion. I tried to do this, but could not see an easy way to take the stick/spring/main section apart. At the opposite end from the ball there is a plastic stop that obviously keeps everything in place. This is in the shape of a split ring (i.e. circular with a bit missing). Can this be easily removed? I couldn't get it off easily, but didn't want to force it in case it broke. Do you know which bit I mean?

[Thurrabred]

Ahh yeah that's called the C clip or E clip. You'll need some needle nosed pliers to get it off. You need to push down on the plastic part that the clip is stopping from coming off, that'll give you a bit of room for the pliers. Then grip the clip and pull it out away from the actual stick its gripping.

It can be a bit tough to remove and you'll need a good grip, but as long as you're pulling away and not up then you can't break it, it's fairly robust.

[Soi]

Thanks again. I thought it might come off like that, but it was getting late and I didn't to break anything. Presumably the c-clip just clips back on easily enough?

[Thurrabred]

Yup, just grip it again with the pliers and push it back on in the same manner.

[Soi]

I tried the advice posted in this thread.

I took the whole thing apart and carefully cleaned and WD 40'd the stick ball/socket arrangement and the spring. I still squeaks. There is no obvious (to me anyway) coarse of misformed plastic, and I hvae no idea what is causing the ball and socket to rub in this way.

Anyone else got any ideas? I may try and get a replacement stick.