Nintendo joystick shafts stuck

stealthie

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Anyone else have this issue before? Ive bought a couple rusty control panels and the joystick shafts have been stuck and cant remove them to rebuild. I stupidly tried to hammer one out and just smashed the bottom of the shaft.

Am I outta luck?
 
There would have to be a LOT of rust for it to be completely locked up and in which case rebuilding would be pointless. Have you seen the parts diagram? Just remove the "e" clip and the whole thing should just come apart.

Or are you talking about the balltop? If so I never remove those.
 
The shafts can sometimes get frozen and stuck in the pivot bushing, when they're really rusted. I get them out by soaking them overnight with PB Blaster (which is amazing at loosening rusted stuff), then pressing them out with my shop press.

Hammering isn't recommended on any sticks really, as you usually end up deforming them (as you've found out). You need slow, heavy force.
 
how rusted are we talking? like the bearing and the shaft are fused together?

Yea pretty much. The Mario CP was the most rusted thing Ive ever seen, but the popeye wasnt bad. But both had frozen joystick shafts.

The shafts can sometimes get frozen and stuck in the pivot bushing, when they're really rusted. I get them out by soaking them overnight with PB Blaster (which is amazing at loosening rusted stuff), then pressing them out with my shop press.

Hammering isn't recommended on any sticks really, as you usually end up deforming them (as you've found out). You need slow, heavy force.

Alright, never thought of using a press.

Ill have to try pb blaster. Soaked them in vinegar for a week and it didnt seem to help with this issue.
 
Yeah, I've tried vinegar too (which is great for removing other rust). The Blaster definitely works better. It just has an ability to penetrate unlike anything else.

What stick(s) do you need? I have refurbed Nintendos, most types. I could maybe give you some credit for your stick, towards a rebuilt one. PM if interested.
 
Yeah, I've tried vinegar too (which is great for removing other rust). The Blaster definitely works better. It just has an ability to penetrate unlike anything else.

What stick(s) do you need? I have refurbed Nintendos, most types. I could maybe give you some credit for your stick, towards a rebuilt one. PM if interested.

Dont really need any, theyre just extra sticks i wanted to clean up. Needed the panels, and sticks came with.
 
Cool. The only thing I can think of is maybe you could press them out with a vise, but you'd have to figure out some kind of way to rig them up, so you can apply pressure to just the shaft.

Maybe a couple of wood or metal blocks, or similar, on both sides of the shaft/knob. You want to support around the hole where the pivot bushing is though, else you risk bending the whole top plate.
 
Heat

If you really can't get them apart with the steps above, then try a torch as a last resort. Worst case scenario they won't come apart or they will be damaged but at least you can salvage some of the parts.

Just heat them up for about 30 seconds and them give them a tap while in a vise.
 
Cool. The only thing I can think of is maybe you could press them out with a vise, but you'd have to figure out some kind of way to rig them up, so you can apply pressure to just the shaft.

Maybe a couple of wood or metal blocks, or similar, on both sides of the shaft/knob. You want to support around the hole where the pivot bushing is though, else you risk bending the whole top plate.

if you have a big enough deep socket or a well cut piece pipe, or drill a whole through a 4x4... each gives nice support and is manageable in most decent size vices
 
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