TM F18 Stick Grip Wobble

[SGT Coyle]

I have a loose connection where the black grip and the mounting shaft meet. Not in the mounting nut. The connection to the base fits very tight, but the play still exist in the grip. It's not severe, but my experience with these things is, they only get worse with time.

The looseness is only in the back and forth direction. Not a great deal of play, but just enough to be annoying. :joystick:

 

 

 

That is what I reported to Thrustmaster Customer Service today after an initial phone conversation. Apparently I'm the first to have this issue.

 

Ya me!

 

 

Thought I'd put this here in case others experience this as well.

 

 

An FYI. Warranty for those of us outside the EU only have a 1 year warranty from the time of purchase. So if you have an issue don't hesitate to inform them an get it documented.

[Guppy]

You are not the first person to experience this. I had the same issue.

 

On the metal grip there are 3 screws, unscrew them and pull the pin out from the paddle switch. The metal grip will now split in half; take the cover off.

 

Just like the WH, there is a grounding hex screw that holds the silver shaft to the metal base. Just tighten this. Mine was not screwed in fully. I added a little adhesive (that loosens when heated) to keep it from loosening, but it's not needed.

 

Reassemble... and bam. no wobbling

[SGT Coyle]

Thanks,

I'll be interested in their reply. In the interest of preserving my warranty, I will wait until they send me permission to do that.

I do appreciate the piece of mind you provided, that it's not serious issue.

Thanks.

[Guppy]

Warranty-Schmoranty. Whose got time for those. :joystick::megalol:

[SGT Coyle]

LOL!

[Hicksy]

Yep, seems like we're all 'the only one' with the problem.

Guppy's solution is spot-on.

Some idiot in the factory is forgetting to tighten the earth strap bolt!

[pchRage]

Had same issue. Opening it up and tightening the screws solved it for me.

[Brabo]

Yep same issue as well

[SC86]

I am having the same issue, didn't take too much playing to get it to show up maybe half a year and never an all day player

[Rick50]

Sad... considering it's a simple fix, and on a pretty expensive product.

[BluFinBima]

Thanks for the comments about this fix. For those following along at home, 2.5mm allen wrench is what you need for the surgery, and be careful about the circlip flying off into the distance.

[farebro]

spring

 

anyone got a pic of how the litle spring fits? please

[Gruman]

Had the same. Added a drop of loctite just in case.

[GeneralDynamics]

Great, the first TM FA-18C grip I ordered had to be replaced because the buttons were sticking, and now I'm having this issue with the replacement after just a few weeks. 

 

So, just to be clear, there are three allen screws holding the the grip handle together, one just behind the paddle switch, another about an inch back and up from that one, and a third screw up by the weapon select switch - is that correct?

 

I'm a little nervous about attempting this because I had a bad experience performing surgery to smooth out the ball and re-grease my old, sticky Warthog base. I can't remember exactly what happened now but I managed to ruin it, had to buy a new one. Hopefully this won't be as tricky...

[GeneralDynamics]

Found disassembly pics here: TM F/A-18C Hornet grip disassembly and OTTO upgrade - Page 3 - Thrustmaster - ED Forums (eagle.ru)

 

I feel a little better about it now

[NatoAviator]

After 4 years of use, I'm now having this issue with stick wobble in Pitch motion.

Does anyone have the size of the screws used on the F18 grip?

One of mine looks almost stripped from what I can see so far, have not opened the grip as yet.

 

 

 

 

 

[BossBearFace]

Just found this thread and following the instructions from @Guppy removed the wobble.  Took about 10 minutes.  When I opened the stick I found only one (loose) screw connecting the shaft to the base.  Thanks guys.