How to remove a stuck Wico stick?

[pubjoe]

I have some Wico sticks I'd like to remove from smelly old panels. Here's the first one I've got to..




After removing the base, E-clip and other bits I hoped to be able to slide the shaft out from the top on the panel. Trouble is it's stuck firm to parts connecting it to the square plate (pic 4).

Are all Wicos removed this way (release the E-clip and slide out the shaft), or do some have a removable ball top? Both won't budge so I want to be sure which bit I should try forcing before I apply oil and then probably break something. The rubber in pic 3 has deterioration and force is likely to tear it off.

I've never dealt with these sticks before so any advice is appreciated.

 

[pubjoe]

I've done the same with another panel and have just the same stuck shaft. For now I've put WD40 at the grommets. I guess I'll try hammering the sticks out later.

[edit]
https://forums.arcade-museum.com/th...oystick-out-is-the-the-bushing-rusted.103534/

yea good luck i just had a ms pac joy with the same grommet and bushings soaked the sucker in pb blaster for a day then wd 40 for 2 days hit it with my sonic parts cleaner and still stuck like glue

i ended up having to just cut the rubber grommet to remove the joy from the cp and buying a replacment stick and rubber grommet

Doesn't sound promising.

This is what happens when I try tidying up. I'm barely a few inches in to a stack of clutter. I just want four sticks to take up a little box instead of a massive one. Now I'm covered in spider muck, dust, rust, and grease and I've filled the lounge with a spread of parts. 🤦🏻‍♂️

 

[Bods]

what should be a quick job never is lol
Heating things up works wonders on things like this but no use with rubber attached, leaving them soaked in wd40 or plusgas which I keep meaning to buy is about only option unless your going to replace the grommet part anyway if the rubber shot cutting out is option

I've given up trying to tidy up, unless I sell stuff it just gets moved from A to B to C and back to A

 

[pubjoe]

I've given up trying to tidy up, unless I sell stuff it just gets moved from A to B to C and back to A

Haha, that's how it's been for years. I just wanted to make a dent.

On three panels I have four of these Wicos. I planned to use them for Smash TV. I tried the 2p panel and both shafts just dropped out after removing the E-clip.

I'm halfway there so it's worth some perseverance . I'll leave the stuck ones for a couple of days topped up with WD40. Even if I end up replacing some grommet parts it'll be worth it now for the four sticks.

 

[Flyback2021]

I feel your Wico pain. I removed a couple of sticks from a control panel the other day and the grommet in each had completely disintegrated , thinking I will have a similar problem dismantling in the next stage too .