How to repair Sidewinder Force-Feedback 2 Joystick?

[jschall]

I'm hoping to find some help with repairing my OLD (15 years?) Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 joystick. It's the front trigger button that's dead, everything else works fine. I'm hesitant to start taking it apart without some guidance.

Of course I could spend $100 or so on a VKB Gladiator Mk II...

Thank you for any suggestions.

[Bradburger]

jschall,

This thread (although quite old) from the Aces High forum has information on what to get as regards replacement switches: -

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?topic=144521.

There is also a few 'how to' disassemble and clean/repair (with photos) the MS FF SW2 on (I think) the old IL2 forums - a quick google should do the trick.

It's also worth taking a look on ebay for used ones.

I picked up 3 or 4 at reasonable prices, and sometimes you are lucky to get one at a steal!

(There are two models - the earlier version with a green light, (Blue Box), and the later one which had the red light and came in a black and red box).

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Paul

[ratty]

Many years ago the then technical director of CH Products showed me how WD40 could cure noisy potentiometers. Might work on your trigger. Use sparingly and AT YOUR OWN RISK.

[Willy]

I'm still using my Sidewinder Precision Pro that I bought in 1999. That's a lot of CFS and FS with it. I'm starting to think, you just can't kill the things with normal use.

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php/106592-Microsoft-Sidewinder-Precision-Pro-joystick-overhaul

[Ivan]

I also have been using SideWinder joysticks for a long time.
The only one (SideWinder Precision Pro) I actually paid full price for was also back around 1999 or so and it was the one that had problems from the start. The centering was just a touch off. Right now it is retired even though it is otherwise mechanically sound.
I also had SideWinder 3D Pro and SideWinder Precision 2 and at least one SideWinder Force Feedback on a couple machines.

I believe most of the sensors inside the SideWinder are optical rather than potentiometers, so the squeak if you hear it is the bearings.
If you have a stick with potentiometers, you might want to get some tuner cleaner if there is still a Radio Shack near you.
That stuff was made to use on electronics such as TV tuners.

Good Luck!
- Ivan.