Dreamcast arcade stick lubricant help please!

[MrKirov]

So I recently purchased one of these and the stick is SUPER stiff. Everything works, but really need to put a lot of force into moving it, where even double forward motions for dashing are really hard as the stick takes ages to return to neutral.

I haven’t taken it apart (and don’t want too, I’ve never done it), but I did turn it upside down to get the black protector away from the bottom of the stick, and gave it a quick clean with a slightly damp cotton bud- after I did this, it seemed a bit looser, and looked to be better.The next day, I tried it and it was back to being to stiff again.

My question, is there a lubricant spray like some of the WD40 silicone based sprays, that I could maybe put on a cotton bud and repeat the process I did already, that would seemingly last a bit longer and loosen it up? I know water based sprays would be a bad idea- so hopefully something easy to apply that won’t degrade any of the plastic/metal etc inside. Hopefully avoiding the need to take it apart.

The seller I bought it from seems to be a sound guy and no reason to doubt him- and it’s minty mint including box and inserts, and threw in a US VMU for free- he said it’s just been stored in normal conditions in its box on displays for a couple of years. I want to avoid taking it all apart if I can.

Does any of this seem reasonable/logical? Everything else about the stick seems perfect, so would love what I propose to be true.

Any ideas/links to products would be wonderful.

Thanks all!

[speedlolita]

I wouldn't be too precious about cracking it open, there's very little to go wrong inside.

If the stick takes a while to return to neutral I would guess that there's an accumulation in either the lever mechanism or the microswitches. Properly cleaning or even replacing the switches may be required if it isn't the mechanism.

You want a silicone grease for these by the way. Shin Etsu is the fancy brand but something like this could be worth a shot too.

[MrKirov]

I wouldn't be too precious about cracking it open, there's very little to go wrong inside.

If the stick takes a while to return to neutral I would guess that there's an accumulation in either the lever mechanism or the microswitches. Properly cleaning or even replacing the switches may be required if it isn't the mechanism.

You want a silicone grease for these by the way. Shin Etsu is the fancy brand but something like this could be worth a shot too.

I’m kind of afraid of opening it up, and not being able to put it back together or breaking something!

It’s just VERY stiff to move the stick itself. Lots of resistance, and slow to return to neutral. The micro switches all click when they reach them though, in all directions. I tried playing it with MVC2 and it 100% works, it’s just actually getting to the switches is slow and cumbersome.

It feels like the resistance is from the middle/bottom of the stick. Looking under the black cover, it’s plastic on plastic, and moving the stick while looking it at, I’m thinking that might actually be the problem there. As I said, when I used a damp cotton bud it felt looser.

Would it kill anything if I tried some kind of silicone lubricant or anything on that first?

[speedlolita]

You could certainly give it a go, it isn't going to be an irreversible change after all.

[MrKirov]

You could certainly give it a go, it isn't going to be an irreversible change after all.

I was looking at using this- what ya think?

https://www.toolstation.com/wd-40-specialist-silicone/p89943?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&mkwid=_dm&pcrid=&pkw=&pmt=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp63uvPLv-gIVAwGLCh1RRQl8EAQYASABEgKpBfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Sorry for the questions- I’m just a complete noob with this. Completely not what I wanted when I bought it.

[speedlolita]

No worries man. I've used some of this stuff before and it is pretty good.

[MrKirov]

No worries man. I've used some of this stuff before and it is pretty good.

Sweet! I’ll pick some up tomorrow. Worth a fiver for a go, if you think it won’t break anything if I put some in.

I noticed WD40 do some contact cleaner stuff for the same price too, so if it does come to me taking it apart- I’ll pick that up to clean everything when it’s disassembled- then use the original WD40 silicone lubricant to grease it up real good from the inside.

I have a plan now at least- as always Speedy, you’re invaluable!!

[speedlolita]

Sounds good to me man, good luck!

[MrKirov]

Sounds good to me man, good luck!

Just wanted to say thanks for the advice [MENTION=13863]speedlolita[/MENTION] !!

I got the silicone based WD40, sprayed some onto a cotton bud and liberally spread it about from the top, then got brave and took the back off, and did the same there- seems to have resolved the problem!

Theres still a minor issue of it occasionally sticking into a corner when pressed- but reading up about this, it’s the little metal washer inside the stick that pops out and causes the issue rather than anything else. Heard you can dab a bit of super glue on it to keep it in place, so might give that a go if it becomes annoying.

But thanks again for the support bud!

[speedlolita]

No worries, glad to hear you've resolved it. You could always pop a JLF in if you fancied an upgrade too.