Thrustmaster HOTAS Cougar - be carefull when disassembling the throttle

[latware]

This is a story how I damaged (a little) my TM throttle with good intention. My TM Cougar is an old veteran, purchased sometime in 2004. In 2005 it got a Hall sensors upgrade by Ernest "Cubpilot" Smith.

Year after year the ANT pot lost it's center detent so I wanted to refresh it with procedure described also by Cubpilot How to fix an antenna pot 

The problem occured when I tried to pull out ANT knob. It didn't go by hand nor by flat screwdriver. After use of some excessive force I finished with the axis torn out from the potentiometer (pic 1).

I dismantled the whole handle, disconnected the rest of pot (pic 2) and tried to get out the axis from the knob as I was convinced to save the knob at least. I was forced to use really brute force, put the axis into a vice and pulled the knob from axis with a crowbar. Fortunately it worked and I saved the knob with minor damage (pic 3).

I realized how I destroyed the pot, the axis is pressed into the tiny plastic disk with two wipers to make a contact and central detent on opposing plate with resistor and central ring (pic 4). Now I also know, why I wasn't able to pull out the knob from the axis without force. It was glued with red warnish during assembly. The red lacquer is probably the same, what is used in both casings to seal various nuts.

So bear in mind this opportunity, maybe you will need a new spare pot and maybe the knob when you will intend or be forced to disassembly the throttle.

 

Now I am looking for another pot, I contacted TM support and local dealer too, I will inform a community how I succeeded...

 

 

Edited December 8, 2021 by latware

[sirrah]

On 12/9/2021 at 12:32 AM, latware said:

This is a story how I damaged (a little) my TM throttle with good intention. My TM Cougar is an old veteran, purchased sometime in 2004. In 2005 it got a Hall sensors upgrade by Ernest "Cubpilot" Smith.

Year after year the ANT pot lost it's center detent so I wanted to refresh it with procedure described also by Cubpilot How to fix an antenna pot 

The problem occured when I tried to pull out ANT knob. It didn't go by hand nor by flat screwdriver. After use of some excessive force I finished with the axis torn out from the potentiometer (pic 1).

I dismantled the whole handle, disconnected the rest of pot (pic 2) and tried to get out the axis from the knob as I was convinced to save the knob at least. I was forced to use really brute force, put the axis into a vice and pulled the knob from axis with a crowbar. Fortunately it worked and I saved the knob with minor damage (pic 3).

I realized how I destroyed the pot, the axis is pressed into the tiny plastic disk with two wipers to make a contact and central detent on opposing plate with resistor and central ring (pic 4). Now I also know, why I wasn't able to pull out the knob from the axis without force. It was glued with red warnish during assembly. The red lacquer is probably the same, what is used in both casings to seal various nuts.

So bear in mind this opportunity, maybe you will need a new spare pot and maybe the knob when you will intend or be forced to disassembly the throttle.

 

Now I am looking for another pot, I contacted TM support and local dealer too, I will inform a community how I succeeded...

 

 

 

Thanks for the heads up mate!

The detent "notch/feedback" is almost entirely gone on my ANT knob as well. Though, after reading this, I'll just leave it like it is, as luckily it's not really a showstopper

[MAXsenna]

Hopefully I'll have all my Cougars upgraded with replacements from rel4y

 

 

Edited December 20, 2021 by MAXsenna

[Milker]

Hi!

I was lucky... had less loctite .

Brand new Cougar (2006 purchased but 2022 box open) and Ant Elevation missing center detent and also some spikes... little better now after opening, cleaning, contact spray etc.

Good hunting,

Milker