Saitek X52 lubrication

[greybeard_52]

I bought an used X52 (not pro) which works well. The sole complain on my side is that in micro movements (typically during flight, for slight attitude corrections) it "creaks" for friction between the plate under the spring and the collar where the plate lays. For relatively "fast" movements there's no noise: it "grinds" or "scratch" only when moved by a tiny amount.
It looks the problem is quite common among X52 users and I tried all lubricants suggested on the internet that I was having at hands: WD40, petroleum jelly, silicone grease and even cocoa butter with absolutely no avail. I also read about a teflon grease much expensive, but I don't want waste money. Any help?

[Kobs]

where the plate is (under the spring) touching with the base when new it's supposed to be almost glass smooth the fact that it's old it might be used (not so slick anymore) the only thing you could do is to remove the stick and somehow polish back that plate and the lip where the plate touches or just accept the fact that it's old

Edit: I have one too and it's the last one I'm going to buy meaning if I ever need another one I'll get a better one like a thrust master

[Carlsberg]

Originally posted by Kobs:

where the plate is (under the spring) touching with the base when new it's supposed to be almost glass smooth the fact that it's old it might be used (not so slick anymore) the only thing you could do is to remove the stick and somehow polish back that plate and the lip where the plate touches or just accept the fact that it's old

Edit: I have one too and it's the last one I'm going to buy meaning if I ever need another one I'll get a better one like a thrust master

It will need cleaning now anyway, do not use anything like wd40 it will make it worse. Stick to silicone grease after cleaning.

[greybeard_52]

Originally posted by Kobs:

... just accept the fact that it's old

I realized that and I think I should resign myself.

a better one like a thrust master

I had a Hotas X for about a decade and believe to have done an improvement getting the X52. Nevertheless, I'm currently dreaming of a Virpil set...

[greybeard_52]

Originally posted by Carlsberg:

It will need cleaning now anyway, do not use anything like wd40 it will make it worse. Stick to silicone grease after cleaning.

Thanks! Please, what would you suggest for cleaning/polishing?

[RedLightning]

Yea. I had that issue with a X-52 and a Pro edition.. they both ended up creaking after a time. I tried cleaning it, and I used some silicone grease, none of which worked. In fact I think it made it worse. Of all plastics to use. Flying helicopters in X-plane requires minute stick movements, and the creaking got so bad, it was sticking, so when it finally moved it was too much.

With a chopper, you just think it and it moves. That is quite a level of fine control the stick at one point could achieve. I ended up just junking it after the situation got worse.


The Pro edition was a tad better, but neither one was that well made, in my opinion.

[Nabster]

Use some love oil

[Tonepoet]

Shin Etsu Silicon grease, made by Honda, is what they use to lubricate Seimitsu arcade joysticks popularly used by the fighting game communityl.

However, since you already tried silicon grease I don't know what to tell you.

[_I_]

be sure to lube all moving parts
not just the slide surfaces, but if it has a ball or any rotary arms

if its creeking, its worn plastics, graphite may wear them farther, might help or hurt
silicone should stop it from wearing any more, but wont help if its too worn already

wd40 is not good in plastics, will make them brittle

[greybeard_52]

Thanks to all! I think I'll reapply the silicone grease just to keep the wear from progressing.

[greybeard_52]

Since the friction in small movements increased (with a tendency to stick and then snap, as described by RedLightning), I tried again with the petroleum jelly, this time applying more, and it worked.

[RedLightning]

Originally posted by greybeard_52:

Since the friction in small movements increased (with a tendency to stick and then snap, as described by RedLightning), I tried again with the petroleum jelly, this time applying more, and it worked.

I chose against this method on account of petroleum jelly degrading plastic, the last time i used it as a lubricant, it had made the plastic all 'melty and goopy'

[_I_]

petroleum jelly isnt as bad as wd40 or other solvents/lubricants

a silicone lubricant would be a better choice

[greybeard_52]

Originally posted by RedLightning:

I chose against this method on account of petroleum jelly degrading plastic, the last time i used it as a lubricant, it had made the plastic all 'melty and goopy'

I'll take the risk. I paid little for this used joystick, at worst I can buy another one. But the current "knife in butter" feeling is priceless!

[greybeard_52]

Originally posted by _I_:

petroleum jelly isnt as bad as wd40 or other solvents/lubricants

a silicone lubricant would be a better choice

Silicone grease is what I was using before, but the situation was getting worse. If I hadn't resorted to petroleum jelly I think my joystick would have been thrown away soon anyway.