VKB-SIM

So i received my gladiator evo controllers today (standard left gladiator evo & premium right gladiator evo) and despite very positive first impressions,
i've encountered an issue that's very troubling.

My right premium controller is extremely squeaky when slightly touching or moving it (an issue that is not shared by the left standard controller, which seems to be sturdier).

Below video to demonstrate issue (turn volume up):

https://youtu.be/kHX31QJEvVc

My first thought was that one of the screws on the controller was not tight enough, so i tried checking with a screwdriver to see which of the screws was loose.

Well, here's where the problem gets worse. One of the screws instantly broke, (i can guarantee that i didn't didn't overscrew, hit, applied too much pressure or otherwise mishandled it)
i barely applied enough pressure with the screwdriver to check if the screw was tight or loose and the head just fell out.

Photos of screw and where it appears to came off:
https://imgur.com/a/2haGBwE

So i am at a point where i can't remove the broken screw at all in order to replace it and the controller is very squeaky.

I haven't had the controller for even a full day, didn't even have time to calibrate or check the controllers ingame...
As you can guess this is very disappointing and frustrating.

What should i do? Any way to fix it on my end? Should i open a ticket for replacement?

For lack of better term, am i screwed? :/

Nothing to do here unfortunately. Fill up a service ticket.
To remove that broken screw just take out the other 5 screws on the grip, separate the 2 shells and use some needle-nose pliers to remove the screw.

Hi @fallout9, so here's an update:

I've done as you suggested and removed the other 5 screws, separated the shells and managed to remove the broken screw.
I was lucky because the way the screw broke gave something to grip on, there was a little chip extruding which I could catch with the needle-nose pliers and remove it.

https://imgur.com/a/9sxjnuq

So here's the issues:

1) No replacement screws for the grip are included in the packaging, which means I can't replace the broken one.

2) The plastics of the grip on the controller are still squeaking, (i think maybe less?, i can't tell for sure) i am not even sure if the squeaking is because of the screws anymore..

https://youtu.be/mrjE1zraezA

Is this typical or something else going on?

It's also kinda ironic that's its the premium one doing the squeaking noises and not the standard one, because it makes it feel flimsier, even though I am sure it's not.

That's definitely not normal. Please open a ticket with the local vendor so you could send this grip back and receive a new one.

Thank you!

I've created a ticket (#7308) and linked this post

I've asked the same thing in the replacement ticket but asking here in case it gets noticed earlier so that i can ship asap.

1. I am sending just the grip right? No need to send back the base module?
2. Anything missing from packaging that's required for the replacement? (please check photos: https://imgur.com/a/yV8wUgt )
Springs & palm-rest adapter necessary to be included in return or just the purple stickered buttons?

Hi TheRocinante,

1. Yes, grip only. No need to send the base.
2. Yes, please include springs and palm rest pad as well.