Removing grommet from a wico stick

TimePiloteer

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I have this wico joystick on a control panel that is stuck there and I can't remove it. The metal part of the grommet is rusted solid onto the shaft. I've tried squirting wd40 in there, pounding it with a hammer and flathead screwdriver, but that f'er is not budging.

Looks like I am going to have to sacrifice the base, or the shaft, to get it out of there.

Any ideas what I can try to get that metal part of the grommet off? The grommet is already destroyed, the rubber was totally broken. The outer part of the grommet is already off. Just need to get the inner metal piece off.
 
A small cutting disk dremel grinding a slot close but not into the shaft.

Once both sides are slotted a heavy screw driver should pop it off.

I would not recommend heat.
Melted ball..
Or temped shaft that bends.
Been there done that.

Good luck. You might try real penetrating oil..
 
^^ WD40 has its limitations. Use the right tool, in this case, "oil", for the job.
Also be patient and let the penetrating oil work ...
 
Your choices are either cut it with a Dremel, or press it out with a shop press.

I have done both, many times. The press is easier, if you have one. But Dremel is the slower method. Wear eye protection. Cut a line into the metal collar, pretty deep but not into the shaft itself, then crack the collar open with a large screwdriver and hammer.

Do not try to hammer the shaft out. You will mushroom the bottom of the shaft, and if you deform it at all, you won't be able to get it back into a new grommet (as it won't fit), and you also can deform the channel that the e-clip goes into, which will also ruin the shaft.

I have refurbed sticks and parts, if you need anything.
 
Also, yes, heat will melt the ball, and won't work.

I have also not had good luck with many kinds of penetrating oils. PB Blaster is the best stuff out there, and even that hasn't gotten them to budge. Unless it's only very slightly rusted, the oil just can't get far enough down inside to loosen it up.

I bought a shop press mainly to press these out. But I've Dremeled dozens of them. It's best to use a reinforced cutting wheel, as the standard red wheels break much more easily.

You need to be extra careful, and go slow, else you'll end up with flying shrapnel.
 
Thanks guys, really appreciate the tips. No need to make those same mistakes.

Been meaning to get a new dremel tool anyway since someone stole the last one out of my garage. I think the dremel sounds like the way to go. What a royal pain though - geez!
 
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