JLourenco

Hi guys,

This is how I have resolve my problem whit the know Joystick issue.

Well the solution is quite simple, but lets explain:

This is how I managed to have the part on hand, A204 870 20 58, I bought a new and now I see the evil of the former.

The spray does not work or will result, because this problem (as I suspected) is mechanical, but let's parties. (some suggestion from another forum)

Open the part, is not complicated, we have to remove the screws that are on the back of the joystick, then remove the gray cap that is at the center of the joystick remove a screw and stayed with the play opens, then calmly go is pulling out all the plastic brackets that make operating the controls (once opened can see), I recommend keys watchmaker.

After all open, note that the mechanism is made to rotate by a shaft which connects the two sprockets which drives a wheel which has teeth and which makes opening and closing an electronic circuit is an emitter-receiver assembly of the sensor LEDs (think infrared). (Please find attached photos).

That is, until Engs thought well, no major mechanical parts, should last a long time, just that the shaft is badly designed or set of materials used in plastics is not very good, or else they forgot that with heat, the plastics tend to be less resilient, and the shaft portion therefore never trigger is set and turn on and off sensors.

Well my solution is to buy superglue by a good Brand, preferably gel and re-paste (to see if results) then apply a rubber shaft and apply more glue, I think we should solve, because the shaft has no mechanical stress no, if not get stuck should resolve well (I say ...).



The photo (broken shaft) on the side


The shaft assembly more wheels


The final wheel which drives the sensors


Printed circuit board where the sensors sees


The final result the came whit glue



Now once that I could not open the central console where is the joystick, If anyone nows or have any link please share, because I would like a lot to now how to open the place where is the Joystick.

If they have questions, ask.

BR

JL

AkaSigFreak

https://mbworld.org/forums/4047308-post1.html

robyc1982

I suppose you are referring to the Command knob scroll problem, right?
That's a very useful DIY, but I cannot see your pictures. Can you please reattach them?

JLourenco

Hello robyc1982

Yes, is the command scroll problem, and my Joystick (command already working and closed), but there is two secrets to do, first is that, gently try to take off the cover plastic that is on the weel that we working, gently because is one piece that are view (not hidden) and one scratch will be unpleasure (the piece is brown or dark silver). After take this cover you will see one screw and after taken the command is open.

After, open there others pieces are inside, and looks fragil is the support and trigger to the Opto-couplers, you must be patient and try just simple whit no strengh to take off, you will see had some springs, try to use one key of watchmaker, there is no any screw inside this black plastic supports or trigger opto-coupler activation are the support to the PCB.

hope that welp you, sorry my bad english.

The photos are here on my dropbox link, try to get.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/60420022/20...2011.18.45.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/60420022/20...2011.18.55.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/60420022/20...2011.20.47.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/60420022/20...2011.21.08.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/60420022/20...2011.36.16.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/60420022/20...2011.48.37.jpg

Any other help, please say.

BR

robyc1982

Thanks,

Your help is much appreciated. I will try to fix mine over the weekend, if I'll get some time.
How much did it take you to fix it? And put everything back

Best regards,
Robert.

JLourenco

Hello Roby

Well money, was very cheap (only the tool it was more expensive, something like 10 Euros = 10 USD) after the superglue use the UHU like 5 Euros = 5 USD).

About time, well take the cover like the AkaSigFreak tell us, toke me around 30 minutes to take off and more 30 or less (20 minuts) to reassemble.

To open and to wait to glue something like one hour.

But be patient lot of patient, because one stupid mistake could damage any plastic and could be lose money, be patient has I told you whit the plastics.

Any furhter help, say.

BR

robyc1982

Hi BR,

I've repaired my Comand knob scroll over the weekend. Your posts were very helpful and made things easier.

I must say that it took me around 3 hours to do the job, but I worked very careful.
Indeed you have to be very careful with that thin cable that goes to Comand wheel.

Also, as a hint, you must have torx keys: T8 & T10, also you will need some thin watchmaker keys or very thin flat screwdrivers.

I took also some pictures but I didn't download them for now.

Many thanks,
Robert.

ggms16

Can you please post how you removed it?

JLourenco

Hello

I think that here you find the solution.

https://mbworld.org/forums/4047308-post1.html

BR

finger360

Great few posts, not sure if I will try this or not. I hate not having the rotational capability but fortunately the voice control is very good so I'm hoping to get by without having to try this or go to a dealer for the fix. We'll see...

ggms16

I'm doing this right now, my knob is part number A 204 870 21 58, and its different inside, the pole that broke is different and its a bit hard to disassemble. I'll post results later.

ggms16

tanktube67

Good thread, I'll take it apart this coming weekend.

stosoorok

Thanks for the DIY info.

BTW, 4 years and 5 months.

hebsan

How did you remove the gray cap?

blister

You have to use tiny plastic to peel off central top circle of joystick. There are 3 parts. Central silver circle, shiny silver ring and outer part. Peel of central silver circle. Do not scratch plastic........

mbpharoh

maybe im stupid, but i have the voice button on my wheel, and it dose nothing when i press it. also i have the knob and when i scroll clockwise or counterclock wise it dose nothing is that broken? i can move up/down and push in to select.

thanks!

metman

Guys the above posts were extremely helpful, one question though how do you extract the chip board of the central control unit from the plastic surrounding. it's as if it's glued and I don't want to break it, any ideas

jasonjhouts

Question.... What is the command joystick wiring connected to?

Shmatko22

The plastic internal shaft has a breaking point. Not sure if this was designed as preventive measure to save the entire unit from breaking or just sneaky planned obsolescence.

There is a seller in USA who also offers an upgraded aluminium shaft.
Attached is a helpful PDF file on how to do the replacement.

They have it on Amazon Prime too IE Works Replacement Shaft