Has anyone's Neo Geo X stick been making this noise?

[maikun81]

One of my Neo Geo X sticks started making this noise a couple months ago. It feels like the stick is rubbing against something, like it's popping in and out of alignment. Can't figure out what's causing it. My other stick doesn't make this noise.

[Deleted]

get it stripped down, must be fixable, maybe OMG can shed light.

[omgngx]

That was an original Neo-Geo stick... not an NGX stick. I do know that because they used "weaker" springs in the NGX sticks, (as opposed to the AES) one direction would sort of "bind" (hit something, then move further in that direction). A stronger spring *might* solve this problem.

[maikun81]

It's a Neo Geo X stick, the logo faded because I play with it so much. It started making that noise a couple months ago before I put the new 4lb spring in it. The noise wasn't as noticable then, but more so now. I bought some molycote lubricant from paradise arcade shop, but It didn't make much of a difference. However it is a little hard to apply it because it comes in a syringe.

[maikun81]

"get it stripped down, must be fixable, maybe OMG can shed light."

Were you talking about the actuator or the guide? The actuator had some wear on it when I took apart. I also thought the resister plate might be loose. So when I took it apart, looked at the bottom of the stick while moving it around, The plate didn't move at all but still was making that sound. Thought about putting it back together without the switches, then maybe I can see what's happening?

[maikun81]

Well, I think figured out what the problem is. It looks like the top lip of the actuator is grabbing the lever arms sort of pop off. I guess putting a washer on top of the c clip could raise the actuator up enough so it won't catch the lever arm?

[omgngx]

Did the washer solve the problem?

[omgngx]

I double checked all the NGX joysticks I have on hand right now (I have 8 of them right now) and every single one will do that binding in a single direction (sounds to me like this problem will get worse over time), if a simple washer does correct the problem, that would be great as this is the one major fault (quality wise) that separates the AES joysticks from the NGX joysticks. I forgot how cheapish the NGX joysticks really feel (I have been using REAL AES joysticks on my NGX for over 3 months with my Shuttle Cable controller converter), real AES sticks (even though they are 20 years old) were really made to last.

[maikun81]

I haven't got a washer yet, I need to pick some up. I'll probably do it this weekend.

[maikun81]

Well, I figured out what the problem was. It was not coming from the microswitch lever arm, it was the spring washer clapping against the actuator. Because I was using a 4lb spring it would give a strong clap. So I swapped it out for a 3lb spring, greased the hell out of the shaft, spring washer, and guide now the stick is quieter. The stick even feels better with the 3lb spring than the 4lb spring. My personal opionion I think 3lb is perfect.

[a16cpu]

Cool glad you got that sorted. I need to strip my stick down again as it's developed loads of "play" even with LS-56 and stock spring combo, which is anoying as I've just replaced the stock feet with some different ones of off ebay which seem to give better grip.

[Deleted]

is the stick still working great with the new springs.

[maikun81]

Well, it's quieter now but it's still making noise. The noise is coming from the "spring washer" when it meets with the back of the actuator. It might just be wear and tear since my other stick makes no noise but it is a bit stiffer. The stick still works okay, it's just so damn noisy!