Request for help, setting up brand new bases [2x GF MkIV SCG]

[digern]

Hello,

Long time lurker here. A short while ago I purchased two VKB Gunfighter MkIV SCG (left+right) + OTA for left, for a sim rig setup. I'm having some hurdles with setting up the bases - hopefully someone can point me in the right direction.

Small disclaimer and some background: I'm new to VKB products, but otherwise comfortable working with delicate pieces of electronics. Been working in IT for 15 years, servicing equipment, among other things.
Just recently built a sim rig for some extra immersion. VKB was always my first choice in flight sticks because of their flexibility and serviceability.

Both GF MkIV SCG are brand new and not been powered up. I plan to use the left grip with OTA, space-h cams and initially 2x20 springs - right grip with space-s cams and initially 2x20 springs, and we'll see where it goes from there.

I've watched the instructional videos on the VKB Youtube channel (several times) and scoured the forums/reddit for a bit of relevant information. By now I'm well aware of documenting the location and order of the different screws/nuts/washers etc while dismantling, and not relying on the videos as things might differ from those. I have meticulously photographed every step while working, and put all fasteners back exactly where they were when reassembling.


Problem 1:
I experience resistance/roughness when moving the y-axis forward and the x-axis to the right, along with some low pitched rumbling noise. It's worse to the right on x, compared to forward on y - the further towards the end of the up/right the more pronounced it gets. With a grip attached, it is felt noticeably through the stick.

I have loosened and fastened the bearing assembly several times, to make sure it's not too loose or too tight. Before attaching springs; the cam, bolt, nut, washer etc. along with the inner bearing are all moving together very smoothly.

By reading and checking the forum, I gather that it is imperative for the guiding ball bearing to move in a straight line in the middle of the cam. That is definetly not the case here. The guiding ball bearing is just at the inner edge on the y-axis, and actually a little past the inner edge on the x-axis. This is proably exacerbated as the bearing nears the edge of the cam, forward on y- and right on the x-axis respectively.

Could this be the source of the problem, and if so, could moving or removing a washer help here? I have deliberately not changed or removed any fasteners from their original location until I have some feedback on how to proceed. I do however find the location of a couple of washers a bit strange, but it could just as well be my lack of knowledge with the product and its working mechanics - hence the request for assistance.

Both bases arrived with the fasteners at the exact same locations, and exhibit exactly the same issue. After changing cams (to space-h and space-s, respectively) the issue remains the same. I am by no means an expert and I could by all means be way off in my thinking here, but this is nevertheless clearly not how it's supposed to feel.


Problem 2 (Partially "solved"):
After changing cams on the base for the right grip to space-s, I experienced excessive roughness/noise on one of the axis. Looking at the cams themselves, one of them looks markedly different, with an almost mirror like finish with galling-like defects that can be felt by running a finger over it.

When swapping y- and x-axis, the problem also moved to the other axis. I "solved" this by removing both cams and using the space-s cams that came with the left stick (which looked fine), as I will not be using the same cams for both sticks (at least for now, obviously). It's possible that problem 1 makes the cam with the bad finish even worse, allthough it's not that relevant as the cam itself has its own issues.



I'd appreciate some help on how to move forward. I have not yet created any tickets at the reseller. Hopefully this is fixable without shipping and lengthy wait times.

Thanks.

[fallout9]

You can safely remove the washer marked in your first pic as "Spring washer located here" and see how it goes.
About the damaged cam - not sure if it's a trick of light or really damaged; just drag your finger along it - if it's not smooth on the whole contact surface, then it's damaged and I suggest to get in touch with your vendor.

[digern]

Thanks for the quick reply, fallout9.

I'll give it a try and let you know how it turns out.

[fallout9]

Come on our Discord server, more eyes there from a very friendly and knowledgeable community.

[digern]

As for the space-s cam in bad shape, the markings can be felt when dragging the finger over the contact surface, especially using the finger nail. The edges of the contact surface are also exceedingly sharp compared to the "nice-looking" cam. It's not that important right now as I luckily had an extra pair of cams ready. I'll contact the vendor in due time.

However, the main problem, so to speak, continue to puzzle me. I removed the spring washer you mentioned and the guiding ball bearing now sits a bit towards the outer edge, but comfortably positioned, I'd say.

Still, it unfortunately did not improve anything regarding movement towards the edge of the cam (or the axis, if you will). That goes naturally for the other axis as well, allthough to a somewhat lesser degree (no change). Is perhaps the guiding ball bearing and its movement along the cam not the culprit here? Or is it sliding sideways a tiny bit towards the edge for some reason?

I just have to say, am I really that unlucky that two joystick bases exhibit the same problem (they're not even produced the same year), or am I overlooking or doing something really wrong?
Do I have the cam assemblies too loose, or too tight, could that represent issues only at the edges of the cams?
Could springs or the dry clutches somehow affect this to any degree (rubbing or scratching)? They're both very lightly configured while working on the base.
Any chance the cam-bearing has play in it, that would lead to this issue?

God forbid, is this how it's supposed to be (buttery smooth in the middle and to the left and backwards, and rough and scratchy to the edges forward and right)? If so I think i need to look elsewhere for my flight stick needs. I only mention it because I find it a bit strange to experience the same issue on both bases being brand new, and I have never used a GF product before and don't really know what to expect.

A couple of observations i forgot to mention when opening the bases the first time;
*There were an abundance of grease overflowing the dry clutches (all four if you count both bases) and spots of grease here and there. I wiped it down as best I could to avoid spreading sticky stuff while working in and around the base. One of the dry clutches (the one visible without removing the PCB) had a yellow grease stain on it which I could not manage to remove. At least it's not going anywhere.
*A couple of the cam assemblies (if you count both bases, can't exactly remember which base/cam) were tightened extremely hard, to my belief that it would almost snap the whole thing off when loosening the nut. I don't think any thread fastener was used here, as it would be a bit weird considering the thing is servicable and "designed" to be tinkered with. It did work nicely in the end, but I hope the bearings did not come damaged as a result.

Any help, tips or suggestions on where to go next would be greatly appreciated. I'm kind of at a loss here.

[digern]

Come on our Discord server, more eyes there from a very friendly and knowledgeable community.

Thanks, I am already a member there. In a case like this however I would prefer to document my findings and progress neatly and tidily in one place, as a reference in case this eventually turns into an RMA.

[digern]

I've stashed the gear back in its boxes for now, got to put my mind to other things. Will contact the EU dealer on how to proceed - guess that's the proper "chain of command" to follow in this instance.