Hardware & Technical X52 Pro Twist spring

Mallick

Mallick
Hi all. Hoping someone here can help with my x52 issue.
The twist spring in the stick has suddenly stopped working. I assume the spring has either broken or popped out of its housing inside.

Has anyone else had this issue since I now have no yaw control. While flying without it is possible its not very friendly.

I have looked at dismantling the stick to try a fix the issue though am stuck on that front too since I cannot seem to find a way to remove the for the clutch (pinky). It will not unscrew all the way off and i do not wish to force it yet.

Cheers
Mal
 

G.T

G.T
I have had an issue with one of my x52 pro buttons and disassembled my joystick using the following guide:

http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_7794831_disassemble-saitek-x52-joystick.html

It is possible to remove the clutch , it's just fiddly (not technical), just keep an eye on the wire coming from the joystick to the clutch (silver) bit. Also, make sure you use e correct size Phillips head screwdriver as the screws seem to be made of cheese and round quite easily. Take it easy with them.

Also had an issue with the throttle detente (ramp at max and min throttle) so removed it, using his guide:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=115981
 
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Mallick

Mallick
Thanks G.T
I managed to get it apart, the pinky clutch is wedged into the switch plate and a little pressure downwards pops it out.

Unfortunately the mechanism that centers the twist and adds tension is right inside the top of the main shaft and is inaccessible. Not 100% sure but it looks like a sping with a bit poking out either side and one of those bits has broken off.
So its bye bye flight stick... unfortunately you can no longer get these sticks in australia :(
Unless someone knows a place that can do repairs in sydney
 

CaptainKremmen

CaptainKremmen
My X52 (not Pro) twist spring broke a month or two ago.

I have no idea how it could have failed. Its job was to flex, then spring back, however many x000 times. But no.

I did manage to disassemble it right down to the spring, and extracted it. One "bent pin" side of it broke at the bend.

I have mine in a plastic bag, and intend to match it to some spring at Bunnings, bend it into shape with pliers, and re-animate that stick.


Until then, I'm flying with ANOTHER ONE I bought (fool me once, shame on me - fool me twice, shame on... well... um... err..). ;)

X52.BAK is remaining totally un-modded. If it fails within 9 months like the last one, it's going back to the shop.


It's not like I hadn't heard of the quality issues, so I can only blame myself, lol.
 

Vingtetun

Vingtetun
Just lost the self centring on my X52 Pro.... Flops around like it's dead now. Looks like a bit of open stick surgery is required....
 

Vingtetun

Vingtetun
OK - fixed mine. Dismantling was a pain, as was replacing the spring. I constructed a new one out of some marginally thicker gauge wire and see how it lasts. I should have taken photographs for you all but forgot as I was concentrating.

In essence, remove handle, remove side - be CAREFUL of wires.
Detach pinkie wire with long nosed pliers
Remove other side of handle. be careful as there's a metal pin that goes through some of the wires

You'll see a "hat" on top of the centre column. It has a potentiometer on the top of it.
Moving down from there, there are two little clips holding it on, just inside the rim of the cap

Pop the cap off carefully, you'll see the broken spring. it makes a bullhorns shape and works by gripping either side of a plastic pillar 90 degrees out from the clips.

fashion or buy a new clip and reassemble carefully - I needed two pairs of hands.

then tadaaa - all working again.

If anyone wants more info, message me and I'll see if I can hunt down some pictures to which I can add notes.
 

Bikky

Bikky
Vingtetun said:
OK - fixed mine. Dismantling was a pain, as was replacing the spring. I constructed a new one out of some marginally thicker gauge wire and see how it lasts. I should have taken photographs for you all but forgot as I was concentrating.

In essence, remove handle, remove side - be CAREFUL of wires.
Detach pinkie wire with long nosed pliers
Remove other side of handle. be careful as there's a metal pin that goes through some of the wires

You'll see a "hat" on top of the centre column. It has a potentiometer on the top of it.
Moving down from there, there are two little clips holding it on, just inside the rim of the cap

Pop the cap off carefully, you'll see the broken spring. it makes a bullhorns shape and works by gripping either side of a plastic pillar 90 degrees out from the clips.

fashion or buy a new clip and reassemble carefully - I needed two pairs of hands.

then tadaaa - all working again.

If anyone wants more info, message me and I'll see if I can hunt down some pictures to which I can add notes.
Click to expand...

Nice, Have you got a photo of the old spring? Someone needs to make a photo how to. I might have time next weekend, but it'll be iffy as I've got family up and am starting ripping apart the kitchen.
 

Vingtetun

Vingtetun
Bikky said:
Nice, Have you got a photo of the old spring? Someone needs to make a photo how to. I might have time next weekend, but it'll be iffy as I've got family up and am starting ripping apart the kitchen.
Click to expand...

Sorry. No. Will trawl interweb for a picture....
 
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Hazcat

Hazcat
Was looking for a solution to the X52Pro "floppy stick" issue and ran across a couple solutions on YouTube. One used old CD spindle cases, the other a 3D printed "washer." Anyone had any experience with either? Long term issues, e.g., the extra tension killing the springs, etc.? Thanks!
 

CaptainKremmen

CaptainKremmen
Hazcat said:
Was looking for a solution to the X52Pro "floppy stick" issue and ran across a couple solutions on YouTube. One used old CD spindle cases, the other a 3D printed "washer." Anyone had any experience with either? Long term issues, e.g., the extra tension killing the springs, etc.? Thanks!
Click to expand...

No issues with this. It's just the soft, big spring you can see at the bottom.

Unrelated to the (deeply embedded) "stick twist" spring...
 

Mrozak

M
Hazcat said:
Was looking for a solution to the X52Pro "floppy stick" issue and ran across a couple solutions on YouTube. One used old CD spindle cases, the other a 3D printed "washer." Anyone had any experience with either? Long term issues, e.g., the extra tension killing the springs, etc.? Thanks!
Click to expand...
No experience, but i wouldn't expect the spring to be killed any time soon - unless you really really over do it and put in like 2cm pad down there.
And if it does, let me know, and i'll send you mine as a replacement :) (don't like any resistance in my controls so i removed it).
 

Bikky

Bikky
I contacted MC. Told them how old the JS was (along with copy of receipt), how it'd been used and how often, with use intesity.

after a couple of Emails, they offered to ship me the stick only, straight away, and 2 days later I had a new stick.
 

Sanderson

Sanderson
Odd, I just received a brand new x52pro from Saitek yesterday. Excellent warranty (2 year) support, at least for me.

Yaw spring was the culprit. Even after I tried fixing it myself and shipped it back to them in pieces no less. My joystick had 0ver 1000 hours of hard use and they still shipped a new complete x52pro.

In today's world that's rare. I'm impressed.

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Manwhale said:
Well this exact problem just popped up, where might I be able to acquire a replacement spring?
Click to expand...

They don't sell the springs but, will replace it if it's under warranty.
 
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Gelegeus

Gelegeus
Still not had a response from MC (emailed on Sunday). Mine was bought in the US just under 2 years ago whilst I was on holiday there. Brought it back to UK, so lets see how their international warranty stands up (if at all). Looks like rudder spring has gone as there is is no return to centre and when in lock position there is about a 1 inch movement. I have had to alter the dead zone to around 50% so I get no adverse movement.
 
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