Hardware & Technical Broken X52 Pro Throttle after 7 months. Any ideas?

Olmis Aremja

Olmis Aremja
Hi Guys,

Was playing ED this morning and suddenly my X52 developed a problem. I suddenly noticed there was some new resistance when trying to full throttle, and it keeps 'sponging' back to less than full throttle if I let go. I think obviously something has broken inside and is causing this. I can still use it but I have to hold it in full position else it'll sponge back.
I just wanted to know if anyone else had experienced this??

I got it from Amazon UK last October, but logged into their returns and it says this product is not eligible!! So I have written to Saitek via their website ticket system. Hopefully they can sort me out with a replacement.

It's real typical as I have next week off to finish some DIY projects at home, so was going to hopefully get lots more play time in. Then the server problems began lastnight, then this. Touch wood nothing happens to my Oculus.. :eek:
 

Asp Explorer

Asp Explorer
Turn the throttle upside down, take out the 8 or so screws, and you'll see that your throttle detent has popped out and twisted the spring. Just pull it out like a bad tooth, and put it back together.

Of course, I'd still recommend sending it back for replacement as it should still be under warranty.
 

Jezzah

Jezzah
The detent (little rubber resistance widget) is probably come out of its housing. Google removing it and there are lots of helpful videos and guides for it. All you need is a screwdriver and 10 mins of time. I took mine out and the throttle is better than before for not having that annoying resistance in it.
 

smsKONG

smsKONG
Yep mine went aftr 6 months - tried fixing but the little beggar kept getting unseated.
Removed the spring and plastic bit in the end and it's now miles better.


Well it was until the twist return broke at christmas...

Nice sticks but flimsy as fu....
 

Zplintz

Zplintz
If under warranty claim send it back.

It sounds like the detent block has an issue. It can be easily removed and gets rid of the sticky points before zero throttle and full throttle.

(Mine wasn't broken, I just didn't like the sticky points).

Some of the screws you need to remove are under the rubber footpads.
 
Last edited:

Olmis Aremja

Olmis Aremja
Thanks for the info guys (Rep all round), however inbetween times I managed to speak to an Amazon rep through their chat system and I should receive a replacement on Wednesday :)
 
Last edited:

Aleksej

Aleksej
Lucky you... none of my X55 lived that long (usually they fail within 3 months). Waiting for a replacement (the 5th one) for 11.5 weeks now and all they can say (MadCatz) is that the warehouse is going to ship it ASAP.
 
Last edited:

Olmis Aremja

Olmis Aremja
Aleksej said:
Lucky you... none of my X55 lived that long (usually they fail within 3 months). Waiting for a replacement (the 5th one) for 11.5 weeks now and all they can say (MadCatz) is that the warehouse is going to ship it ASAP.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that. Totally unacceptable. Did you purchase direct from them? If so, perhaps let them know, that you are letting others know about how you have been treated (i.e. this thread or another). Most companies don't like that kind of exposure and respond quickly to get it resolved..
 

Aleksej

Aleksej
Olmis Aremja said:
Sorry to hear that. Totally unacceptable. Did you purchase direct from them? If so, perhaps let them know, that you are letting others know about how you have been treated (i.e. this thread or another). Most companies don't like that kind of exposure and respond quickly to get it resolved..
Click to expand...

Yep, purchased directly from MadCatz UK. They have confirmed the replacement the 26th of February. I've updated my ticket asking whether it was shipped already or not and they've said that it was not shipped yet. Still waiting. I have another HOTAS for now, that's why I am patiently waiting. But this is ridiculous.
 

Egg90

E
Seems like a lot of X52 users become versed in patching their sticks up. I've had to reconnect a broken wire under the main stick and grease around the spring. My throttle is holding up though I might take the rubber detent out anyway, some recommend it. I'd rather DIY it than get a replacement which seems a bit of a waste.
 

Nitek [pl]

Banned
N
I had the same problem. There is this little plastic thingy inside used for the click feeling when stopping or going over 75%. You can easily unscrew the joystick and remove the broken part. It will work just fine.
 

Jezzah

Jezzah
Aleksej said:
Lucky you... none of my X55 lived that long (usually they fail within 3 months). Waiting for a replacement (the 5th one) for 11.5 weeks now and all they can say (MadCatz) is that the warehouse is going to ship it ASAP.
Click to expand...

That is utterly disgusting! 5 units all broken...just wow. What are you doing feeding them to alligators? :)
 

Aleksej

Aleksej
Jezzah said:
That is utterly disgusting! 5 units all broken...just wow. What are you doing feeding them to alligators? :)
Click to expand...

1. Bought from Amazon - twist rudder failure (returned as they were unable to send a replacement);
2. Bought from MadCatz - one of the switches did not work as delivered, replacement requested the day of delivery (reason - bad soldering of the switch). 1 months waiting time;
3. Replacement 1 - twist rudder failure the same way as for the 1 (the wire got lose inside of the joystick - bad soldering). 1.5 months waiting time;
4. Replacement 2 - wires inside of the throttle got cut by the throttle movement as due to manufacturing "optimisation" they have removed additional isolation of the wires;
5. Not received yet (11.5 weeks already).

In the meantime as I did not have to send the units back (as I do not live in UK) two twist rudder centring springs have broken, probable cause - metal fatigue.

And the only thing I am doing is playing ED a lot.
 
Last edited:

CMDR Alex Occasus

CMDR Alex Occasus
Jerakeen said:
Saitek products are made of cheese. I had one of their keyboards and I'd never buy anything made by them again
Click to expand...

This, and cheese is a compliment... and an insult to cheese. I haven't bought one in a decade because they would usually last about a month. Now my Warthog, though expensive, is built like a tank and I love it! It will last years.
 

stephen_usher

stephen_usher
CMDR Alex Occasus said:
This, and cheese is a compliment... and an insult to cheese. I haven't bought one in a decade because they would usually last about a month. Now my Warthog, though expensive, is built like a tank and I love it! It will last years.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately no rudder on the joystick though, otherwise it'd be the dream stick (other than the price).
 

Valethar

Valethar
Same thing happened to mine. The detent stops broke loose, and I ended up with about half of the range in the throttle that I used to have. It's going to go back soon, since it's under warranty. I'd take it apart myself, like some others have, but since I don't know what else may be damaged now as a result of the stops breaking loose, I'd rather have Madcatz fix/replace it.

Lesson learned for me, however. I'll never buy another product from them, now that I've seen how crappy their build/QA is. It's a shame, really. When this thing works, it's a nice setup, but the amount of apathy involved in the build/QA process, and their lack of anything resembling a sense of urgency in turning around defective units puts them on the black list as far as I'm concerned.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom