Change Saitek X52 Pro Spring

[jepessen]

Hi.

 

I've a new Saitek X52 Pro that I like a lot. The only thing that I don't like too much is the joystick spring that, in my opinion, is too soft. Have you tried to change this spring with an harder one?

 

I've googled a bit but I did not found anything useful. I'd like to have some suggestion about the new spring and how I can change it.

 

Do you think that's possible?

[cichlidfan]

The only discussions regarding the spring that I have come across were all related to making it less stiff!! I have cable ties holding mine to make it softer. Going the other way is a much bigger issue.

[Sel94]

Yeah I find mine too be too soft also.

[digitaljjd]

The probably most easy thing to do is, buy the right sized cymbal felt washers and slip them under the spring. They can be cut to slip on and come in different thicknesses.

[galagamo]

This might help http://www.lockonfiles.com/index.php/topic/29552-how-to-increase-tension-in-x-52-spring-video-link-for-fix/

[BTTW-DratsaB]

The probably most easy thing to do is, buy the right sized cymbal felt washers and slip them under the spring. They can be cut to slip on and come in different thicknesses.

lol Im a drummer and never thought of doing this :doh:

 

My biggest problem with the X52 is the way the base plate "grinds" and sticks when doing fine movements. At the moment I too use 2 cable ties to reduce the pressure, a Cymbal felt might do nicely to keep it smooth. Ty for the tip :)

[Sarge55]

When I was using the X-52Pro and the stick movement started to bind or stick I tried a bunch of different suggestions from the Saitek forums. The one that worked for me was a liquid fabric softener I applied a little on the collar and shaft and it didn't stick or bind again. Good luck

[pacotito]

Plumbers grease from lowes or berkley fishing rod grease will fix the sticking problem. DON'T USE OIl. It has to be a specific kind...I think lithium but search lowes.com for plumbers grease since I can't remember what kind....here you go http://m.lowes.com/mt/www.lowes.com/pd_817-1409-GR2V-D_0__?productId=3350380&Ntt=Plumbers+grease&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3DPlumbers%2Bgrease&facetInfo=...it has to be silicone so it doesn't eat the plastic

[cichlidfan]

lol Im a drummer and never thought of doing this :doh:

 

My biggest problem with the X52 is the way the base plate "grinds" and sticks when doing fine movements. At the moment I too use 2 cable ties to reduce the pressure, a Cymbal felt might do nicely to keep it smooth. Ty for the tip :)

 

One suggestion I saw was to use trombone slide lube between the spring and the metal plate. There are several different kinds so I have not tried that yet. The ties do help but it still needs something.

 

I guess I could get both at the same place. I can see me explaining myself. This should be better than my last trip to Lowes'!:D

[reemit0772]

The Saitek spring bizzo always bugged me. I had the old serial X36F during the dark ages, then got the X45. The X36 didn't have the external spring bodge up system. I was so miffed with the X45 and its McPherson strut :joystick:that I spent a week swapping all the gizzards around so that I could have the new system with the smoother feedback and centering of the X36. It worked great:thumbup: until the hall effect hit the streets.

Edited July 8, 2011 by reemit0772

[Bucic]

Do this and don't look back

Re eastern ways of tearing things apart :) - the first day I got my X52 Pro I did the hall sensors mod (because some idiot at Saitek decided to use moving parts there and he didn't even know he'll get heavy non-linear characteristics - sic!). A month later or so (why so late - don't ask me...) I ripped out the whole lots-of-play-and-constant-force centering mechanism

 

 

What I got? No play (except that on the gimbal mechanism which is insolvable without replacing the whole mechanism) and variable force + no transition bump when going past the neutrum.

 

[jepessen]

How did you calibrated it?

[Bucic]

How did you calibrated it?

If you're asking me - it selfcalibrates every time you restart computer. It's best to rest your hand on the stick during computer restart.

[jepessen]

I understand... I didn't know anyting about self-calibration...

[Bucic]

Few notes:

- disassembling X-52 series stick to get to the mechanism or even just inside the stick grip is tricky and it's easy to damage something. I'll post some pictures if I haven't deleted them yet.

- removing centering mechanism require cutting the whole wire harness inside the stick shaft. Obviously re-soldering is required. There's extremely little space for any additional insulation or bulges and the harness is very short.

- after the soldering is done it's best to perform a functional test before reassembling the whole stick case etc.

 

Please remind me via PM if I won't post for more than 2 days.

[PeterP]

Did a quick goggle search:

 

X52 wiki

washer for more friction:

 

Picture gallery of dissembling the X52 (Russian):

http://www.saitek.ru/other/x52inside/

 

Text description how to dissembling X52 (no pics):

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

 

Video of dissembling and and adding a extension:

http://www.veoh.com/watch/v6497552bqS49mte

[Bucic]

The more friction / stiffer spring mod baffles me. It brings out the very fundamentals of what's wrong with X-52 centering mechanism.