Wait. So if the stick craps out we’re SoL? Man looks like I’ll have to pad hack. It is a good stick I’m happy with it but it could have been a whole lot better. After doing the top access mod this thing is even better.
Naw, you have options:
Seimitsu LS-32 is a non common ground stick easily available and its on par with the JLF for feel and quality.
(I would give the LS-32 a 9/10 rating and the JLF a 10/10 rating, but that is just my $0.02 and I do own both).
Also, its very simple to convert even an normal common ground JLF to a non common ground wiring setup with just a little soldering and a few wires.
So do not despair my friend! There is always a solution!
Strangely I prefer the JLW series sticks.
I replaced the joystick in a HRAP EX with a JLW UM-8 the mounting plate fits, so I’m assuming the JLW-TM would fit as well.
I had EXACTLY THIS SAME PROBLEM just yesterday. I’ve already ordered a LS-32 and SS Gate to fix it (I actualy had planed to mod it this way for a long time, but I was just lazy). I bought it when SF4 came out, so it’s not exactly ancient.
Is it possible that, even the stick that comes with the HRAP is sanwa, the microswitches included are poor quality? Appart from this problem, I had an issue with another microswitch on this same stick, after I modded the buttons and replaced them with semitsu, the down direction responded only about 3/4 times… I fixed it making the radius of the stick a bit bigger (so it had a shorter throw) with ductape, but this time, not even that worked.
All the talk on the TE threads about Hori reliability and these problems are reported all over the place on this forum for HRAPs as well. This shit happens when manufacturing most anything but I really don’t see that TE’s crap out more than Hori’s yet.
The MS-Y-3 Microswitch is no longer available on your website. Will the MS-O-3R work?
You could use Happ cherry switches. They feel a lot looser than the MS-Y’s, but they feel really good none the less. If you feel that the stick is a bit loose you could go ahead and either replace the spring with an LS-33 spring or add the LS-33 spring to the JLF spring.