Replacing Virtua Stick Joystick microswitches

[saskatoon]

I recently acquired a Virtua Stick with a joystick that sticks. For example, when you push up and release, it will hold the up button for a little longer before releasing. I have given the joystick and switches an extensive cleaning and the issue persists. I have tried to bend the contacts out a little but this also has no effect.

I am pretty sure I need to replace the switch. Admittedly, I have no idea what is involved in this process or if it is even possible. Is this a part I can easily source or would I need a donor Virtua Stick?

One additional thing, the black surface ring around the joystick is loose. I am wondering if that piece helps keep the stick in place. If there are any specs or if anybody can provide me the measurements for that ring placement, I'd be very grateful. I am going to try some weak glue and see if it helps. I has just going to eyeball proper placement with the back panel off if I cannot find measurements.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

On a side note, if I cannot fix this, I will definitely be getting another. This was my first foray into the arcade stick world and this thing is fun to play with.

[zyrobs]

Which stick? If it's the us/pal/grey JP one, that one uses rubber membranes and is generally considered the shittier arcade stick. I don't think there are replacement membranes for that specific controller, but perhaps you could get one from a different controller, cut up the rubber, and tape it in place on the PCB. I don't know how feasible would that be, it's just what I'd try. But maybe the membranes for that model are too big and it wouldn't work, I don't know.

If it's the HSS-0136 virtua stick, those use actual switched parts, sometimes some ASCII crap, sometimes the Seimitsu LS-56 which you can also use as a replacement (I've fitted one before, it's a perfect fit as long as you buy the one with the proper connector). However the artwork/sticker on them covers the screws that you have to undo to open it up, so they'll suffer cosmetic damage when doing so.

[saskatoon]

Awesome, thanks for the info. This is an HSS-0136 Virtua Stick.

I am pretty sure my stick uses ASCII because the back mounting bracket is branded as such. Will the Seimitsu LS-56 still be a drop in replacement for an ASCII stick?

I found a source for the Seimitsu LS-56 online. I put a link below, they have the same 5-pin male connector as my Virtua Stick. Would I need a new green ball or would the current one fit onto a Seimatsu replacement stick? Do you know if I will need any additional mounting plate? Any input on the short throw mod?

Thanks again for the assistance.

focusattack.com/seimitsu-ls-56-01-sc-k-pcb-type-joystick-with-ms-plate/

[zyrobs]

It's been a long while so I don't remember the difference but the one I fitted in my own hss-0136 was the LS-56-01-VF (that's the one on the shop invoice). I think the only difference is in the mounting plate, which you have to unscrew and ditch anyway. Other than that it should be a drop-in replacement as long as you get the -01 suffix models.
Note that there are precise technical drawings of the size of the mounting holes which you can use to measure if they fit or not. I know that the LS-56-01-VF fits because I put one in, you can use that as a baseline to see if the other plates work or not.

The stick should already come with a default mounting plate and ball, shouldn't it?
I fitted mine with the round gate because I couldn't play shmups with the default rectangle gate.
No idea what the short throw mod is.

Also I should mention that I have a busted HSS-0136 with the PCB missing and some extra stuff drilled on it (the button pegs in the metal plate were removed and there are some extra button holes cut in the side frame - for pinball and such), plus the seimitsu stick, the extra round gate, and maybe a dozen or so PS-15 buttons of various colours. I'm not using it and I've been wanting to sell it for a while, in case you are interested. Even have the case and instructions for the stick.

[saskatoon]

I ended up ordering a LS-56 from a different supplier (Arcade Shock). The one linked above had extremely expensive Canadian shipping. Heck, shipping was almost as much as the part from all of the suppliers so this joystick ended up being kind of costly. Kind of thinking I should have just spent the few extra bucks on a new stick and kept this one as a backup since it mostly works. Oh well, ha ha.

Thanks again for the help.