I orded a X52 instead of the thrust master.
I never knew that! my ST290 arrives tomorrow, how easy is it to replace the spring with the st290?
Have you ever taken a key off a key ring with the "split ring". You have to get the "key" started by spreading the closed side of the ring and slide the "key" around until it comes off. Same principle with the spring. The ends of the spring are bent "closed" Take a screw driver and spread the closed end at the top of the spring so the joystick shaft will pass through. Once you get the spring started, you just twist the spring until it "unscrews" off the shaft. To replace the spring, just do the same steps... spread the "closed" end, screw it on the shaft until it is all the way on.
*NOTE: Though this is not very hard to do, check the stick firmness of the STOCK X52 compared to the ST290 Pro. Make sure this is the "feel" you want to change before you do this. Otherwise, this operation may have to be reversed if you find you don't like the stiffer X52. I think the stock spring on the X52 is waaayyyyy too loose for my flying style.
Total time to do this is about 10 min. Finding the fastest and easiest way to remove the springs is the hardest part and there is NO disassembling of anything other than the springs.
Hope this helps and enjoy the X52.
DasChewy