How to remove ms pac joystick

animesuperj

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Been looking at this for a while, and not sure if mine is stuck or what.

I removed the bottom plate that holds the leaf switches, and unscrewed the joystick from the control panel as well. The centering grommet has also been unscrewed from the joystick, but when trying to pull either the grommet or stick out; they don't budge. Is it just stuck from years of never being removed? Am I missing something else to why it's not coming off? It feels like the rubber is going to break or rip if I try to pull it any harder, so thought Id ask and see if anyone has a suggestion.
 
Been looking at this for a while, and not sure if mine is stuck or what.

I removed the bottom plate that holds the leaf switches, and unscrewed the joystick from the control panel as well. The centering grommet has also been unscrewed from the joystick, but when trying to pull either the grommet or stick out; they don't budge. Is it just stuck from years of never being removed? Am I missing something else to why it's not coming off? It feels like the rubber is going to break or rip if I try to pull it any harder, so thought Id ask and see if anyone has a suggestion.

Happened to mine too. I used some WD-40.
 
You may break/tear the grommet trying to get it out. Then you'll have to replace the grommet. I've had some luck pounding it with a hammer, but that sometimes rips the grommet, too.

When all else fails, cut the grommet, get it out, use vise grips to get it off, then put a new grommet in...
 
Put the screws back in the grommet first. Spray some wd-40 around the grommets center where the shaft goes through. Pull with a twisting motion and you can usually get them out. After you get the shaft out remove the grommet and wash with soap and water because the wd-40 will soften and detoriate the rubber if left on there.
 
The joystick should turn freely in the grommet, unless it's rusted to the grommet bushing. Removal depends on whether you're saving the grommet or not. If not, once you rip out the steel bushing from the rubber center, try gripping it with something and twisting the joystick. If it's REALLY stuck to the joystick, I make a very deep vertical scoring cut with a Dremel wheel, almost all the way through, but not damaging the joystick. Then take a huge screwdriver and twist it in the scoring cut to split the bushing open.

When you reassemble it with a new grommet, shine up the joystick with steel wool or fine sandpaper and a lite wipe of oil where it contacts the bushing. Just don't over do it, because the oil will destroy the grommet if it soaks it, lite application is the key.
 
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