Gladiator Pro Bearing Friction

[Snuffmaster]

My Gladiator Pro developed friction in the pitch axis ball bearing roughly two weeks after delivery - without being used for more than light testing purposes, and without having been opened. I have swapped cams and springs to see if the problem can be ameliorated, and while the "30" cam on the pitch axis does ameliorate the feeling of friction, it is still very distinct.

VKB Support has been contacted but has not responded for three weeks, and I am currently shopping for ball bearing replacements so that I can replace the ball bearing if I accidentally destroy it when I open it up in order to clean it out and check the lubrication.

I am very glad to have VKB products made available on the market, but VKB has fallen considerably in my esteem due to the lack of support responses and what might be poor quality control.

Does anyone know the model name of the ball bearings used in the Gladiator Pro? It is proving difficult to replace them without access to a local specialist market where I can directly compare the bearings.

Please work to maintain consumer trust and step up the customer support, VKB.

[UIV]

Dear Snuffmaster,
Sorry to hear about your problem. Can you tell us how you try to contact VKB support? Because I don't receive any email from you.

[david_wi]

Hi Snuffmaster

I am trying also to understand why no reply from VKB
I get the impression that no new Pro sticks will be sent to Holland again.
They will send the new gunfighter instead.also there is no documentation for many software applications.
My pro stick is OK for the moment, but can get crazy any time.
Bye, David

[Snuffmaster]

Dear Snuffmaster,
Sorry to hear about your problem. Can you tell us how you try to contact VKB support? Because I don't receive any email from you.

I've sent two mails describing the issue by filling in the form on this site [https://flightsimcontrols.com/contact-us/], but I see that you are active here and that this forum also includes an email submission form, I may perhaps just have used the wrong channels!

The issue lies within the pitch axis ball bearing - I can feel friction inside it even when isolating it from the cam profile and rolling it with the ball of my forefinger, and it is considerably worse in the forward pitch direction. When force is applied to the ball bearing by the cam, the friction increases to distinct levels. The problem was definitely not present during my initial tests of the stick, but had fully developed on my second "proper" testing session, where the stick was to be mounted. When visually inspecting the ball bearing causing the friction, it also has a somewhat damaged surface - while the cam profile itself is clean. I had never opened the stick until I felt this issue. Everything inside the stick is mounted well and I cannot find any gimbal mechanism wobble that might have damaged the surface of the ball bearing, so I think it might have been damaged on the roller surface when it was mounted. Something is wonky, either you are receiving ball bearings with poor internal quality, or there is dust or particles in the ball bearings or in the Gladiator chassi that can get inside the ball bearing or between the ball bearing and cam profile and thus cause damage. I have not found any dust or particles in mine, but I can't say for sure there wasn´t any.

Thanks for your answer UIV, I look forward to more communication!

[Eduard VKB FSC]

I've sent two mails describing the issue by filling in the form on this site [https://flightsimcontrols.com/contact-us/], but I see that you are active here and that this forum also includes an email submission form, I may perhaps just have used the wrong channels!

Hello Snuffmaster, sorry to hear that you didn't get any reply via FSC shop. Spammers also use the form so we have quite many messages to read through but unfortunately we couldn't find ones from you.

Can you please tell when did you try to contact us ? It would help to improve this channel. Also, you can always send us an email via vkb@flightsimcontrols.com if you don't get a response or use this forum, of course.

Please, accept our apologies for the lack of communication.

Best regards,
Eduard

[Snuffmaster]

The first mail was sent during the last week of september, the second one 4-5 days after. I appreciate the forum activity and being given alternative ways to contact you, but would above all like to start a discussion about the ball bearings in the Gladiator Pro, and whether replacements are available.

Thanks for making these products available to consumers, I look forward to resolving the ball bearing issue!