gunfighter mk3 occasional flakiness

[skypickle]

I've this great stick for a year now. But about 4 months ago changed to the #40 springs and the cams with the discrete center detent. I've noticed occasional loss of random buttons- sometimes the analog stick, sometimes a 4 way hat. Never the the pitch, roll, or twist of the stick. I solve the problem by taking the stick off and simply reseating it. I do not push the stick down onto the base , but simply let gravity hold it there while I tighten the Allen bolt.

But after a few days I notice the flakiness again. Recently on one of the 'reseating' I noticed the three spots (where the pins of the grip make contact with the base). Although the contact points have always been visible as smooth abrasions, one of them now has a little trough-like depression, almost as if the pin is sliding across the contact. 

I am thinking that I push a little too hard on the joystick with the #40 springs and the increased force is making the pin gouge its way across the contact. So I changed back to the #20 springs.

I know the pins are spring loaded and should act like little shock absorbers, but when lateral torque is applied to them I think they slide a bit. Over time, one of the pins has made a little trough. This deformity I think will increase the friction and binding of the pin to the contact plate and also accelerate the wear the pin will cause.

Since a number of people have solved their 'problems' with reseating the joystick, I wonder if there is a more effective solution. I wish instead of contact pins, VKB had used a little U shaped flat piece of metal- like a leaf spring. The larger contact area would have prevented this problem and also provided better contact. Of course, a 'Virpil' solution of a cable would eliminate this issue as well. 

Has any thought been given to a mod kit where the pins can be replaced with something which has a greater surface area contact point? Maybe three little gold slippers to slide over the pins but which have a bulbous end? The larger surface area of the contact point and the shallow curvature would prevent excoriation of the contacts in the base.

[dburne]

I myself have not seen that issue however I have my Ultimate Grip locked with a screw as I do not use the twist function.

Might want to post this over on the VKB forums or contact their support. I have found their support to be very good.