Unable to open Gunfighter base - screw is stripped.

[Dnka]

I’ve had an issue with the stick not centering properly so looked online and one of the remediation steps is to ensure the clutches are not affecting this. I decided to open up the gunfighter base today to check the clutches are not engaging but I am unable to open it as one of the hex screws to hold the dust cover in place is stripped and I am unable to loosen it. The same screw also has some damage on the outside of it so I’m assuming these are tightened by power tools at the factory prior to shipping which may have caused this?
Please advise if I can alter the clutches from underneath or how else to resolve this?
I have raised an official support case for this as well.

[fallout9]

Not sure if the stripped screws are not covered by warranty or not, but I can assure you there are no power tools used on any of the quick access screws or bolts.
The dry clutches could get adjusted only from the top.

[Dnka]

Thanks for the reply. I included a photo on the support case I raised of the screw in question. Other screws are fine, it is just one but I doubt someone could score it how it is, manually using the supplied hex tool. Hopefully I’ll get a reply soon as I need a way to adjust this to correct the centering.

[Drano]

There are a couple of ways to extract a stripped screw. They are fairly easy to do but require common power tools.

One way is to drill out the screw head. Use a bit just big enough to do the job. About the size of the actual screw will do, maybe slightly bigger but certainly smaller than the size of the screw head. Don't go too deep, you just want to remove the head of the screw. You'll want the rest of the screw sticking up when you get the base off. Now turn out the rest of the screw off with pliers from the inside of the base. It should come off easily. Not a high torque situation and there's no thread locker on them.

You can also use a dremel tool with a small cutting wheel in it to cut a small slot across the center of the screw head. This is more of a surgical precision thing. Once the slot is cut, try turning the screw with a straight blade screwdriver.

Another way, and I've had mixed success with it, is to try a screw extraction tool. They make little sets of them that are tiny drill bits. Usually they're found in a hardware store. Set of four, comes in a little plastic box. They're like two sided little drill bits. One side mills a little hole in the screw, the other fits that hole and grabs the screw to turn it out. Use one that's the appropriate size for your screw. This may work or not depending on the hardness of the screw. If it's too hard, the drill end won't work, if it's too soft, the grabber end won't grab. But this would be easiest if it worked. And as you're gonna have to destroy the screw head anyway using the other methods you might as well start here!

In any case as you'll be working with power tools be sure to wear eye protection! Grab up some safety glasses at the hardware store and it'll be a good idea to take one of the base screws with you so you can get a replacement. I forget what size it is. Something is telling me it's an M4 but take one with you.

Hope this helps. Good luck and be careful.

[Drano]

I'd add that if you're trying to adjust the clutches from under the base I assume yours is a MkI Gunfighter like mine. I'm a fairly lazy guy and figured there's got to be an easier way to get at them without having to take the base apart. What I did was marked where the adjusting screws were facing the base and drilled a pair of fairly large holes in it to easily access those screws without having to take the base plate off every time I wanted to tweak the clutches. It's facing down so it's not like dust is gonna get in there and you're not gonna see it, but if it bugs you, put a piece of electrical tape over the holes.

[Dnka]

Thanks all. Still waiting for a reply to my case, not expecting too much over the weekend but at least I have a few options to consider. Just a little disappointed I received it brand new like this.

[Dnka]

So still no response to the support case I raised. Even an acknowledgment of the case would be a start so I’m a bit disappointed in the support so far.
I’ll be trying to remove the screw this weekend but didn’t want to attempt anything until I heard back from support. The stick not centering properly and and a damaged screw stopping access to the base for adjustment doesn’t live up the high quality hype I thought I was buying into when I made this purchase. My much cheaper Thrustmaster that I upgraded from never had any such issues.

[Ron61]

Can you show a photo of this place for a better understanding of the issue? It will be better than any words.

[Dnka]

Sure, pic attached. Looks like forum is reducing file size though so not sure how clear it will be. Screw is all scored down the sides and I noticed small flakes of metal under the dust cover folds when I lifted them up.

[Drano]

If that's how it came I can't imagine that happening by human power. Certainly some sort of power tool did that. Even so, those screws aren't in there ridiculously tight. Can't be really as the assembly is only aluminum. They're only holding that dust cover on so no major structural component. I can see the center is totally stripped so another size driver isn't going to be able to turn it out. Give one of the methods I posted before a try. That little recess it's in might make it tight for the dremel tho. I thought you were working on the bottom plate. A slip of the dremel on the top would be disastrous. If you could just cut a slot across it with something else like a file or hacksaw blade, you could turn it out with a straight screwdriver easily I'm sure. It's annoying you have to deal with this over one stinkin screw! And on a new item too. The good news is you'll get it out of there.

[Dnka]

Yup, because the screw is recessed I don’t have any safe way of cutting the screw. What I have done is put in some no more nails glue into the screw head and pushed the hex tool in to shape it. Hopefully it dries hard enough and still in shape to allow me to loosen the screw.

[Dnka]

One other quick question, does the Gf3 base ship with the avian soft or hard center cams? Just planning ahead on what my options are to hopefully alleviate the non return to centre. Thanks for the help - it’s much appreciated.

[Ron61]

You can make a cut for a slotted screwdriver or use an oversized bit-star. Do not be afraid to damage some parts - new ones will be sent to you for replacement.

[Dnka]

Thanks. I borrowed a dremel and managed to cut a slot for a screwdriver and have managed to open the base now for adjustment. Screw is a mess but at least I got in now - ended up changing to stronger springs and loosening the dry clutches a little.

[Drano]

Excellent! Replacing that screw shouldn't be a problem. They're metric but not an uncommon hardware store item. Glad you got it worked out.