Centre Stick Spindle
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Hey all,
I’ve had a cougar for a long time. It was bought off a mate who got it off eBay so its done the rounds. I’m currently refurbishing it and have bought a few bits for the stick internals including new gimbals and pots.
I had a lot of X axis play in the stick hence why I got the gimbals. When I pulled the stick to bits, I found this wear around the bottom of the spindle (or whatever its called). This is causing the problem.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/wayc00lio/20150425_155246_resized_zpsgzm7mtwp.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/wayc00lio/20150425_155258_resized_zpstqpk0bqx.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/wayc00lio/20150425_155150_resized_zpshcuw2uaq.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/wayc00lio/20150425_155226_resized_zpsoag4quqx.jpg
Has anyone else had this and if so, what was the fix?
Has anyone modded their cougar and have a spare one of these spindles kicking about doing nothing? Thrustmaster doesn’t stock this part and would like to either fix this, better than new, or get another one in better shape.
I look forward to hearing from you all
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My suggestion would be mod your stick to force sensing
https://www.benchmarksims.org/forum/showthread.php?7047-My-Low-Cost-FSSB!!!&highlight=low+cost+fssb
Pack something around that worn centre post to eliminate the wear and play. Maybe fill it with epoxy resin and wrap in it in some thin aluminum from a fizzy drinks can.
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The ‘fix’ for this used to be to fit a sleeve bush here …. not sure what sort of machining experience you have though so a possibility would be some a resin fix with a thin brass bush over it to prevent wear.
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Ive got one of those kicking around the house somewhere. Its across a couple of ponds, however… might be easier to get one closer to you.
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Play in the Cougar stick is frequently the result of loose fit at the internal stick collar that attaches the base shaft to the shell. This is attached by 2 machine screws, one inside the stick shell, and one that penetrates from the external surface of the stick shell. Adding bushings made from thin aluminum, like from a soft drink can, at the attachment screw holes will eliminate the looseness at this location.
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I’ll have a go at fixing it if I can but if I pay for the part and posting expenses, Blu3wolf, would you be ok with sending it over to the UK? I take it it’s in good condition right? No visible wear and tear like mine?
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Nothing like yours has. Ill see about getting some pictures of it - its at my parents house with half my sim gear, and I dont have any photos of it yet.
Its in decent condition, only reason it got removed was because I bought a force sensing kit instead.
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OK cool BW. I’ll let you know how my attempted repairs go.
Cheers
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I have posted pics how to fix the center play on cougar. (i believe they are also on the low cost fssb thread).
One axis needs aluminum foil like from a soda can.
The other axis needs wires to fill the gap.
Depending on use u have to maintain those solutions as wearing comes back.
The low cost fssb by pistolero is a very good solution I use it for years.Also additionally u could mount the cougar with velcro tapes around two pc cases (one for stick one for throttle) and have them on top of them. That way u r very close to the real position. Don’t forget to put weight on the cases so that they don’t travel around on high g forces.
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I have posted pics how to fix the center play on cougar. (i believe they are also on the low cost fssb thread).
One axis needs aluminum foil like from a soda can.
The other axis needs wires to fill the gap.
Depending on use u have to maintain those solutions as wearing comes back.
The low cost fssb by pistolero is a very good solution I use it for years.Also additionally u could mount the cougar with velcro tapes around two pc cases (one for stick one for throttle) and have them on top of them. That way u r very close to the real position. Don’t forget to put weight on the cases so that they don’t travel around on high g forces.
Im guessing you have either very heavy weights, or very low input forces on the stick…?
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Heavy weight
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found the pics:https://www.benchmarksims.org/forum/showthread.php?7047-My-Low-Cost-FSSB!!!&p=158238#post158238
in the last u can see a way to give your cougar the real angle it has.
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Is that… is that supposed to be 12 degrees?
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there are some machined pièces to make it more elegant
http://www.viperpits.org/smf/index.php/topic,537.975.html -
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it’s exactly 12 degrees.
Its about 6 degrees. You would need the axis of the protractor to be along the axis of rotation of the stick to measure accurately with it. In this case, the center of the protractor should be at the front of the stick base.
I hadnt realised it was supposed to be tilted forwards as well as rotated.
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Zoom in and read the instrument measurement.
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it reads 168. Hence why I asked whether you intended for the angle to be 12 degrees.
Maybe a picture helps explain it better?
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Well from the left side u start from the correct point but from the right side not… U must match with the base of the instrument.
Also have in mind that the picture was taken from an angle also.
Should I recalibrate to find my exact position and measure the angle?
U want it from left or right side? Top or bottom?
:lol: just joking m8. It’s a low cost home pit… What u expect?And in case u insist let me inform u I have a laser measurement system and if 6degrees are right I have another 6 degrees on the pc box which are laser and temperature and humidity measured 24/7 oh the sensors are on a ups that gives them 3 days of power in case of power failure :rofl: