AtariBrian Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 I need to replace the boot and i need to pry off the black handle. I dont wanna break anything and thought I would ask here first. Any tricks ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phuzzed Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 Atari actually made a controller handle puller just for this task. Best electronics carries it, and if you do a lot of controller rebuilding, it is worth it. Otherwise, if you don't have the tool,one way to get it off is to use a really extra long screwdriver (or other appropriate prying tool), and slide the shaft of hte tool under the controller handle where you can get leverage to push/pull straight up on the handle. Beware, some handles come off a lot easier than others. Another way, is to get some small pliers, and grab a hold of the metal shaft under the controller handle. Some small vice grips or channel locks work well. Once you get a get grip of the metal shaft on the controller, take your other hand and start twisting clockwise and counter clockwise while pulling up. It will eventually set free, but may take some work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadow460 Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I wonder if vise grips would score up the shaft. I have a couple of 5200 controllers that don't have boots on 'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariBrian Posted September 30, 2012 Author Share Posted September 30, 2012 (edited) Thanks phuzzed. And I think it kind of does but the boot covers it ayways. I used channel locks and it worked. I did the dot trick on some controllers and the one boot was all tore up. 3 more working 5200 controllers now. Edited September 30, 2012 by AtariBrian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadow460 Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Lucky you. Mine all have bad flex circuits, and I just haven't ponied up the $40+ per unit to buy gold rebuild kits yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariBrian Posted September 30, 2012 Author Share Posted September 30, 2012 (edited) I just get the gold flex circuit...but i dont know if its really needed. Best has the Rev. 9 ones for under 3 dollars each... One i had done years ago doesnt have the gold flex circuit with tinfoil only and no gold parts and it works great. And I either use the triple dot buttons or the single larger contact fire button. Just use tinfoil on everything and it works. I use a loctite super glue pen. Edited September 30, 2012 by AtariBrian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phuzzed Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Vice Grips/pliers can score up the shaft a little. Therefore it's important to get a good grip when you do it. Even if you score it up some, the boot will cover it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bohoki Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 (edited) i use a claw hammer you dont need the gold flex circuit what you need is the gold buttons Edited September 30, 2012 by bohoki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariBrian Posted September 30, 2012 Author Share Posted September 30, 2012 All the gold is expensive, a just as good alternative is using tinfoil and much cheaper... just takes more of your own time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zylon Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I grab the control shaft with needle nose pliers and pry against them with a screwdriver to remove the handle top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadow460 Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 All the gold is expensive, a just as good alternative is using tinfoil and much cheaper... just takes more of your own time. Two of my controllers have the tinfoil fix. They died when the flex circuits failed. You can actually see where the conductors within the flex circuits have physically split. when I saw those splits in the third controller, I knew then it would need to be completely rebuilt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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