Saitek X45 centering spring issues. . .

[shadowfax]

My X45 is not smooth at all when I move it. The trouble is that the centering spring is so strong that it builds up too much friction between the two pieces of plastic. Is this common to all X45's? I've thought of a bunch of options, such as putting car wax on the plastic parts so they have less friction, but I'm hesitant to do that until I've exhausted any other options.

Any advice?

[Kimber]

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8...age0034nr7.jpg

[Jim Robinson]

>Is this common to all X45's?

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate my old joystick? :)

[shadowfax]

Kimber, that's perfect. Think I'll pick up a pack o' zip ties on the way home today ;)

[kingnorris]

A different model of your joystick, but this may be a bit more sturdy of a fix: http://www.flightsim.com/dc/dcboard....d=22940&page=8

[shadowfax]

Yeah I considered soldering the spring but decided against it - if for some reason down the road I decide I want more tension on the spring I can just clip the ziptie rather than having to go attack the solder again.

The other thread brings up an interesting point about quality control though. I admit I'm kinda torn - - while the saitek spring is way to freakin' stiff, springs on other sticks I've had (Logitech Wingman extreme, a whole boatload of thrustmasters, etc) tend to wear out.

It'd be nice if there was a HOTAS stick out there with the throttle of the X45, but a better stick.

[ladamson]

>
>The other thread brings up an interesting point about quality
>control though. I admit I'm kinda torn - - while the saitek
>spring is way to freakin' stiff, springs on other sticks I've
>had (Logitech Wingman extreme, a whole boatload of
>thrustmasters, etc) tend to wear out.
>
First thing I did with the X-45's was to cut a few loops off the spring. Hadn't thought of, or saw the wire tie idea at the time.

For two weeks now, I've been using the X-52. Saitek got the spring just about perfect, this time around.

Ladamson