Choose a lighter or firmer feel. Find the tension that suits your play style.
Tension ratings 25–55 · 7 options · Replacement part for compatible levers
Three things to check before ordering
1. Lever model — Identify the lever installed inside your arcade stick.
2. Tension rating — Decide whether you want a lighter or firmer feel.
3. Tools and assembly — Some tools are required to disassemble the lever.
Package contents: One rubber grommet in your selected tension rating. The bobbin, lever, tools, and other items shown in the photos are for installation reference only and are not included.
02 · MYOUNGSHIN GROMMET
Will it fit my lever?
Compatibility depends on the lever installed inside your arcade stick, not the arcade stick case or brand. Names such as MAKESTICK or Joytron alone do not identify the lever.
Fits
Myoungshin Fanta Lever Fujin Lever Alpha Lever IST Knee Lever
Does not fit
Crown / Samducksa levers Knee Lever Neo
Sanwa levers
Seimitsu levers
Check which Knee Lever you own
Compatible with the IST Knee Lever. Not compatible with the Knee Lever Neo. Levers with “Knee” in their name do not necessarily use the same grommet.
Not sure which model you have? Check the lever option in your order history first. If you are still unsure, contact ISTMALL through the product inquiry section with your arcade stick model and photos of the complete lever and its underside. For modified sticks, check the lever currently installed.
03 · MYOUNGSHIN GROMMET
Tension ratings and colors
Within this product range, lower numbers provide a lighter, softer feel, while higher numbers provide greater resistance and a firmer feel. The comparisons below apply only to these Myoungshin grommets.
Rating
Color
Relative feel
25
White
Lightest
30
Yellow
Light
35
Blue
Firmer than 30
40
Pink
Firmer than 35
45
Black
Firm
50
Brown
High resistance
55
Gray
Firmest
Colors may look different depending on your display settings and the lighting used for photography. Even with the same grommet rating, different microswitches or bobbin dimensions can change the perceived tension. Grommets from Crown / Samducksa or other manufacturers may differ in fit and feel, even if their colors or ratings match.
04 · MYOUNGSHIN GROMMET
Which tension should I choose?
Use your current tension as a reference when comparing the available ratings. Decide what you want to change before making a large adjustment.
My lever feels too stiff
Consider a rating at least two steps lower than your current one. Example: 45 → 35
My lever feels too light
Consider a rating at least two steps higher than your current one. Example: 25 → 35
I like the current feel
If you like the feel but need to replace an aging grommet, choose the same rating. A new grommet may still feel different from one that has been broken in through use.
I do not know my current rating
First, identify your lever model. You can inspect the grommet inside by removing the upper mounting plate.
Higher tension is not always better
Higher tension may require more force to move the lever. There is no single correct rating for a particular game or technique, so choose a feel that lets you play without excessive effort. Softer tensions have recently become more popular.
Why can the same rating feel different? The lever design, grip, shaft, microswitches, and other components can affect the feel, as can the grommet’s age and wear. Other players’ experiences can help you compare options, but they cannot guarantee that a setup will feel the same to you.
05 · MYOUNGSHIN GROMMET
Before you replace the grommet
Tools
A Phillips screwdriver, a suitable E-clip removal tool such as a small flathead screwdriver or soldering aid, and needle-nose pliers
Parts to reuse
Your lever’s existing bobbin, shaft, actuator, E-clip, and other original components. Replace any damaged or missing parts with parts suitable for your lever.
Photos to take first
Photograph the lever orientation, wiring connections, mounting plate orientation, and the order of the assembled parts.
Bobbin and actuator orientation often matters. Make sure you do not reinstall either part upside down.
What is a bobbin? It is the insert in the center of the grommet. Transfer your lever’s existing bobbin to the new grommet. The bobbin is not included with this grommet.
Replacing the grommet requires disassembly and reassembly of the lever. If you are unable to do this yourself, you can send the lever to ISTMALL and request a replacement service. Shipping and labor charges apply.
06 · MYOUNGSHIN GROMMET
Grommet replacement guide
The basic replacement procedure is outlined below. The key is to keep the grommet correctly oriented and reinstall each part in its original position.
About the photos The E-clip and bolt photos show a Crown / Samducksa lever used in ISTMALL’s installation guide to demonstrate common assembly procedures. They do not indicate that the Myoungshin grommet fits the pictured lever. The orientation photo shows an actual Myoungshin grommet.
STEP 1
Record the wiring and mounting orientation
Photograph the lever and wiring connections, then make room to work.
STEP 2
Remove the E-clip, shaft, and actuator
Carefully remove the E-shaped retaining clip from the underside of the lever using a suitable tool. Support the grip while removing the shaft and actuator—the part that presses the microswitches. Keep washers and other small parts in their original order.
E-clips can spring out and are easy to lose. Shield the surrounding area and remove the clip slowly. Avoid scratching the shaft or nearby parts with sharp tools.
STEP 3
Open the housing to access the grommet
Undo the bolts securing the upper metal mounting plate and housing, then lift off the upper housing. On a typical four-bolt design, hold the nut on the opposite side to prevent it from spinning with the bolt. The microswitch mounting bolts do not need to be removed.
Support the nuts so they do not fall out, and note the mounting plate’s original orientation. If your model has a different design, follow its assembly procedure.
STEP 4
Transfer the bobbin and face the recessed side upward
Remove the bobbin from the old grommet and fit it into the new one. The recessed side of both the grommet and bobbin should face upward, toward the grip and mounting plate. “Up” refers to the lever’s normal installed orientation, regardless of how you hold it on the workbench.
Left · Recessed side Toward grip / mounting plate ↑
Right · Flat side Toward underside ↓
Check that the grommet’s edges and the bobbin are properly seated. Do not tighten the housing while the grommet is folded or lifted on one side.
STEP 5
Refit the housing and mounting plate
Make sure the grommet sits flat, then refit the upper housing and mounting plate. Put the nuts back in place and tighten the bolts gradually, alternating between them. On Alpha levers in particular, preserve the mounting plate’s original orientation.
STEP 6
Reinstall the shaft, actuator, and E-clip
If you use a dust washer, put it in place first. Reinstall the shaft and actuator in their original order and orientation, then fully seat the E-clip in the retaining groove on the shaft.
Do not use the lever with the E-clip only partly installed. Make sure it is properly seated in the groove before continuing.
STEP 7
Check all directions and return to neutral
First, move the lever by hand to check for binding. Make sure no loose parts or tools remain inside, close the case, and connect the controller. Use the game’s input display or a controller test screen to check up, down, left, right, all four diagonals, and neutral when you release the lever.
Final checks • Does every direction register correctly? • Does the lever return to center and stop registering input when released? • Is any direction unusually stiff or catching? • Are the shaft and actuator securely retained?
07 · MYOUNGSHIN GROMMET
Questions after replacement
Q. Why does a new grommet feel softer or firmer despite having the same rating?
Wear in the old grommet and variation in the new one can affect the feel. Production batches and storage conditions can also cause variation. Differences within the specified tolerance, as measured with a rubber hardness tester, are not considered defects.
Q. Why is one direction stiff, or why does the lever not return to neutral properly?
Disconnect the controller. Check for a folded or poorly seated grommet, incorrect grommet or bobbin orientation, and changes to the mounting plate or actuator orientation. If the cause is unclear, contact us with photos of the lever’s internal assembly before adjusting the microswitch positions.
Q. Why is a direction missing or reversed?
First, check that any connectors removed during the work are back in their original positions. Replacing the grommet alone does not change the electrical wiring order. Check the wiring, microswitches, and assembly as well as the grommet.
Q. Will a firmer grommet improve diagonal inputs or execution?
The grommet changes resistance and the feel of the return to center. Input feel also depends on the microswitches, shaft, actuator, and your technique. A firmer grommet does not guarantee better execution or greater input accuracy.
Q. How often should I replace it?
There is no fixed replacement interval because usage and condition vary. If the feel has changed significantly from when it was new, inspect the overall condition of the lever as well.
08 · MYOUNGSHIN GROMMET
Surface marks and tension variation
Scratches, small indentations, or surface discoloration may be present
New grommets may have scratches, small indentations, or surface discoloration from production and storage. These cosmetic marks do not affect function and are not considered defects.
Tension can vary by approximately 2–3 points
A variation of approximately 2–3 points from the stated rating may occur. Grommets with the same rating can also feel different depending on their age and wear. Please take this into account when choosing a replacement.
Unlike cosmetic marks, suspected tears, cracks, severe deformation, or abnormal return-to-center behavior should be reported to ISTMALL. Send photos showing the condition and a description of the symptoms so we can assess the issue.
Unsure about your lever? Contact us before ordering.
Lever model · Current tension · Preferred feel If you do not know the model, include photos of the complete lever and its underside.
Please contact ISTMALL through the product inquiry section.
ISTMALL · INSTALLATION GUIDE
Grommet Replacement Guide Detailed instructions with photos
From disassembly and grommet orientation to reassembly. Follow the photos one step at a time.
Read this before you begin
This guide shows the general procedure for replacing a grommet in a Korean-style lever. Most photos use a Crown / Samducksa lever for demonstration. For Myoungshin Fanta, Fujin, Alpha, and IST Knee levers, use the general sequence as a reference and check your model’s specific construction and part orientation.
A similar replacement procedure does not mean the grommets are interchangeable. The Crown / Samducksa grommet photos are included only to illustrate the procedure.
Demonstration lever and grommet. Prepare a grommet that fits your own lever.
If the lever is installed in an arcade stick, open the case and photograph the lever orientation, mounting plate position, and wiring connections.
Keep all removed screws, nuts, and E-clips together so they do not get lost.
Parts terminology Mounting plate: The flat metal plate on top of the lever that secures it to the arcade stick. Bobbin: The insert in the center of the grommet. Actuator: The cylindrical part fitted to the end of the shaft that presses the microswitches. E-clip: The small retaining clip seated in the shaft groove to keep the shaft in place.
Tools you will need
Prepare a Phillips screwdriver for the bolts, a soldering aid or small flathead screwdriver for removing the E-clip, and needle-nose pliers for reinstalling it. You can view the tools using the links below.
Remove the grip and shaft assembly, then open the housing to access the grommet.
STEP 01
Remove the E-clip and grip assembly
If the grip is installed, first remove the E-clip from the underside of the lever. Support the grip and use a suitable tool at the open side of the clip to work it slowly out of the retaining groove.
E-clips are difficult to remove by hand. Use a suitable tool.
If the grip and shaft are already removed Skip the E-clip removal and continue to the next step. Take care not to let the tool slip and injure your hand or damage the lever.
STEP 02
Keep the removed parts in order
After removing the E-clip, lay out the grip and shaft assembly, actuator, and other parts in order. Some models include additional washers or other parts. Take photos and record the assembly order to make reassembly easier.
Keep small E-clips and washers together so they cannot fall or spring away and get lost.
E-clips are easy to lose Keep a small parts tray nearby. Do not reassemble the lever with a missing or deformed E-clip; obtain a suitable replacement for your model.
STEP 03
Hold the nut on the opposite side
Before loosening a mounting plate bolt, hold its corresponding nut on the underside of the lever with your finger. If the nut turns with the bolt, the bolt may spin without coming loose.
If a bolt spins freely, check whether the nut on the opposite side is turning with it.
STEP 04
Remove the four upper bolts
Hold each nut in place while loosening the mounting plate and housing bolts with a Phillips screwdriver. The demonstration lever uses four bolts. Keep all removed bolts and nuts together.
A powered driver is shown in the photo. A regular Phillips screwdriver or stubby screwdriver can also be used.
Leave the microswitch mounting screws in place Remove only the bolts that hold the housing together. Loosening the microswitch mounting screws can alter the lever’s input response.
STEP 05
Separate the mounting plate and upper housing
Once all retaining bolts are removed, lift off the metal mounting plate and upper housing to expose the grommet. Photograph the mounting plate orientation and internal part positions before proceeding.
Set the housing and mounting plate down in a way that preserves their original orientation.
PART 2
Replacing the Grommet
Check the top and bottom of the grommet and bobbin, then seat them flat.
STEP 06
Remove the old grommet and check the new one’s orientation
Remove the old grommet by hand and prepare the new one. When replacing a Myoungshin grommet, transfer your lever’s existing bobbin into the center of the new grommet. The Myoungshin grommet sold on this page does not include a bobbin.
“Up” means toward the grip and mounting plate Install both the grommet and bobbin with their recessed sides facing upward. Even if you are holding the lever upside down, “up” means toward the grip in its normal installed position—not upward from the workbench.
Crown / Samducksa demonstration grommet: both sides
This is the Crown / Samducksa demonstration grommet. Its shape differs from the Myoungshin grommet, and the two are not interchangeable.
Left · Recessed side Toward grip / mounting plate ↑
Right · Reverse side Toward underside ↓
Myoungshin grommet: both sides
For the Myoungshin Fanta, Fujin, Alpha, and IST Knee levers, install the Myoungshin grommet with the recessed center facing upward. The photo below shows the top side on the left and the flat underside on the right.
Use this photo to identify the top and bottom of your Myoungshin grommet.
Left · Recessed side Toward grip / mounting plate ↑
Right · Reverse side Toward underside ↓
STEP 07
Seat the grommet and bobbin in the housing
Place the correctly oriented grommet into the housing. Check that the center bobbin and the grommet’s edges are properly seated. Do not tighten the cover over a folded grommet or one that is lifted on one side.
Example showing the recessed side facing toward the grip and mounting plate.
Check once more before closing Confirm the grommet and bobbin orientation and check that the edges sit flat before refitting the upper housing.
PART 3
Reassembly
Reinstall the parts in their original order and orientation, then check the E-clip and controller inputs.
STEP 08
Refit the upper housing and mounting plate
After replacing the grommet, align the upper housing and metal mounting plate with their original positions. Compare them with your earlier photos to make sure the plate has not been rotated.
Pay particular attention to mounting plate orientation on models such as Alpha levers.
Not sure about the orientation? Do not force parts to fit. Check your photos from before disassembly. Housing and mounting plate designs vary by model.
STEP 09
Insert the nuts into the lower recesses first
Before tightening the bolts, place the nuts back into their original recesses on the underside of the lever. A tilted or missing nut will prevent the bolt from fastening correctly.
Seat each nut in its recess and support it so it cannot fall out.
STEP 10
Hold the nuts and tighten the bolts
Hold each nut from below while fastening its bolt from above. Check that the threads engage correctly, then tighten the bolts gradually, alternating between them, so the housing closes evenly.
A hand screwdriver can also be used. If a bolt is misaligned or spins freely, check the nut position instead of forcing it.
STEP 11
Fit the dust washer, then insert the grip and shaft
If you use a dust washer, put it in place first, then insert the shaft with its attached grip through the center opening. Adding the dust washer afterward may require disassembly again.
Return each original part to the same position it occupied before disassembly.
STEP 12
Install the actuator on the lower end of the shaft
Fit the actuator onto the shaft protruding from the underside of the lever, opposite the grip. The actuator presses the microswitches as you move the lever. Use the correct actuator for your model and reinstall it in its original orientation.
If you removed washers or other parts, reinstall them in the order shown in your photos.
STEP 13
Install the E-clip with needle-nose pliers
After fitting the actuator, align the E-clip with the shaft’s retaining groove and carefully press it into place with needle-nose pliers. Keep it aligned and work slowly so it does not spring away.
Do not force the E-clip in at an angle or apply excessive pressure to the actuator.
Keep the E-clip from springing away The clip can slip from the tool. If it does not fit, realign the clip with the groove rather than forcing it.
STEP 14
Check that the E-clip is fully seated
As shown below, confirm that the E-clip is properly seated in the shaft groove. A clip that is engaged on only one side or is partly installed may allow parts to come loose. Do not leave it half-fitted.
Check that the actuator is securely retained and that no parts have been left out.
STEP 15
Finish assembly and test the inputs
Move the lever by hand and check for binding. If you removed it from the arcade stick, reinstall it and reconnect the wiring exactly as before. Make sure no tools or loose parts remain inside, then close the case.
Completed assembly of the Crown / Samducksa demonstration lever.
After connecting the controller, use the game’s input display or a controller test screen to check up, down, left, right, and all four diagonals. Also check that the lever returns to center and stops registering directional input when released.
Final checks • Do all four main directions and all four diagonals register correctly? • Does the lever return to center and stop registering input when released? • Is any direction catching or unusually stiff? • Are the E-clip and bolts correctly secured?
If the feel or inputs are abnormal after replacement
Disconnect the controller and recheck the grommet and bobbin orientation, grommet seating, mounting plate and actuator orientation, and wiring connections.
If the issue remains after checking the assembly, contact ISTMALL through the product inquiry section with your lever model and clear photos of its current condition.
Finish by checking grommet orientation and E-clip seating.
Refer to the compatibility information at the top of this product page when choosing a Myoungshin grommet.
