The problem with that 'grease' is that the friction its stickyness creates makes it warm up. So it gets way looser after a few slides, then 10 seconds later its back to tight again. If you are OK with it being fairly loose (but 100% consistent) you can take out the 3 screws and remove that crescent blade piece from the bottom section. Thats how I have mine and its just so much nicer.

Wanted to add my experience as well. I bought a new X56 in April 2021 and the throttle being hard to move was still a problem. Like many others have noticed, it does warm up after moving it a bit, but 10 seconds later, it returns to its original, sluggish state. I removed a lot of the "damping grease" as shown in the video, which loosened things up, but resulted in somewhat inconsistent resistance and honestly didn't solve the core problem (the throttle being harder to move intially than afterwards). I wanted it to be as smooth as possible. The way I fixed it is by simply replacing the damping grease completely with silicone grease. Remove as much of the old stuff as possible from both the blades as well as the grooves (I used kitchen paper) and add the silicone grease in its place. Be generous with it to overpower whatever small remains of the old stuff there still are (it seems impossible to get rid off 100%), but also to keep the throttle from feeling completely loose. The silicone grease then adds a pleasant, consistent and predicable degree of resistance all the way from beginning to end. Its really quite ideal. You can also still further fine tune the resistance via the knob on the side, if you so choose.

FYI 10 years later and this fix is still needed, 2024 X-56 from Logitech is almost ridiculously hard to move. I'm pretty sure they did this to make it feel like it is more substantial than it is. The worst part is that I have seen multiple people end up with broken throttle levers after a short time because of the insane torque needed to move the stock lever. - I personally took out as much of the super heavy grease as I could and replaced it with a synthetic grease that is much less tacky, now the thing moves like butter with just the right amount of friction.

I didn't use this to fix the sticking throttle (I have it mounted) however, thanks for showing the unit disassembled and reassuring me that undoing all screws was necessary to get access to the inside (I initially only removed the perimeter screws as I wasn't sure the middle ones were to split the base). As I suspected upon opening the unit one of the connectors was not seated properly resulting in intermittent operation of the lower row of buttons, re-seated the connector, unit works fully now :-) You saved me sending it off for an unnecessary repair so thank you for that.

This gave me the confidence to disassemble the boxof my 2021 X56. Thanks Wydra91. The goop is clear compared to the white stuff in yours. I was removing it with Chux as tissue paper got stuck in it too. Personally, I prefer no friction (like Grim Reaper), so I took the blades out after removing the two screws that limit it from being raised too far by the friction wheel. Now it should be easier to control. It still holds position wherever I leave it. Can't wait to try it out.

The throttle stiffness was really turning me against the X55, watched your solution and just done it to mine, what a difference it's made, much more usable and it's now a joy to use in ED. Thank you. :-) 

helped perfectly with a brand new one, which i almost sent back. but be careful, almost broke the little cogwheels for the friction control.

I just got the X56 from Logitech last week. This video and a plastic spudger were used to remove some of the sticky clear grease. I managed to "SAVE" the grease by scraping it off and depositing it back on the bottom base plate where there are several small plastic " HHH " shaped blades. Now the grease is stored there for future adjustments and is not going anywhere. Thanks for the 6-year-old Video!

This solved my problem with too high resistance with the X-55 throttle too. Thank you so much, man! Keep it up!

Hi Wydra, thanks for the 6-year-old video. I added a bit amount of liquid soap to friction blades with ear cotton buds (Q-tips). Without removing any grease. Now WORKS LIKE A CHARM. Also friction knob working as expected.

Hi Guys, Thanks Wydra for giving me the confidence to remove the base of my X55! As you say, trial and error, but I've now finished up with a throttle which has just the right feel and is as smooth as butter! The X55 as it arrived had an impossibly stiff throttle - virtually unfit for purpose. Even with the friction knob on full 'minus', when you moved the throttle forward you did not know whether you were increasing the throttle, of sliding the base unit across the desk! So I started off with Juts suggestion of completely removing the blades. The end result was just a little too easy to move. When you stood the throttle unit up on its end, the throttles would almost move under their own weight! So I knew that the happy medium was in there somewhere! I re-fixed the blade unit, turned the cogs until the blades were fully 'up', then did what Wydra suggested by removing about 2mm of the 'goo' from each side of each of the blades. I just re-secured the base using only 4 screws. The throttles were still far too stiff, so I decided to be more bold. I then removed all the excessive 'goo', plus about 1 cm completely from each side of each blade. I re-assembled and the result was perfect!! But even then the friction knob was on full 'minus'. However, some hints and tips: The goo sticky stuff that they use is diabolical. It sticks to EVERYTHING! I wore latex gloves to keep my hands free of the stuff. If you get it on your fingers or tools you need hot soapy water and a scrubbing brush to remove it eventually! I used a cut up old credit card as a scraper to remove the goo from the blades. I stored the excess goo on the remainder of the credit card, just in case I needed to re-apply it.

I just fixed my 2021 Logitech by removing the blades, this video gave me confidence to do so.

Good vid still. The x56, both the Saitek (Madcatz) (blue decals) and the Logitech 2018 (gray decals) versions still use this dampening grease. The black and gray Logitech 2018 version comes with less on it to begin with according to their public change documents. But many people still remove a good bit of it. Use a plastic putty knife or a credit card to remove the grease. No need to tempt fate with a sharp razor in there.

Just got a X55 and the first thing i noticed was how bloody hard it was to move the throttle. Wanted to say thanks for this tut. Did a great job of explaining why it so hard and how to fix it. Thanks alot! Now to spend 5 hours cleaning my desk so i can use it, lol.

Thank you mate, totally got rid of the issue

Just a quick tip for anyone wanting to do this - please don't use *any* kind of knife. The possibility of having a goof moment is far too great (you know it'll happen some day). What I used was an old pre-paid card but any kind of plastic card (credit card driver's licence etc) will do, most people will have one knocking about these days.

I know this is an old video. But you could get some nyogel 767a, and then remove all you want. And if it was too much, just add some nyogel back onto it. I use nyogel on the ball of my x55 stick. Gives it a wonderful feel.

That sticky goo caused the wires to break which I had to replace and is still holding after countless hours in ED, XP and DCS. A long story short, I removed the goo with earbuds and replaced it with quality expensive silicone grease and all is well with less friction but still stiff enough to fly the airbus with throttle in climb position. Elite Dangerous is quite heavy on the controls especially in dog fights.

I would use a Q-tip, but be careful not leave any of the Cellulose behind on the base plate. Well done on solving this problem

Excellent guide! I think Madcatz/Saitek addressed this in the latest batch. Mine is stiff aswell, but once it's warm, it's good for longer periods of time than the ones I've tried earlier. Still need to remove some though. Also, don't turn the knob for stiffnes all the way until it stops on "-". I think maybe the blades are completely removed then? For me it became uneven, even before i removed any grease. If you need it as light as possible without becomming uneven, take it as far as "-" goes, and then maybe 1/6 of a rotation back. (Think 10 minutes ;) )

thanks man !

any solution how to do yaw axis less tighten? in new x56 when using twist, I have to hold the stick so tightly that I can't operate the pov hat. all fingers must be closed on the steering wheel to keep the rudder in the correct position. but im afraid to open it. never forget how broke my 1st hotas before learn how to maintain in good condition :)

Great video, thanks! I did this, but somehow the X56 throttle friction wheel doesn't work now (as in "isn't connected right") So gotta open it again (no big deal) but what to look for to get it right please?

I removed too much of that grease and now my throttle become almost frictionless, not that I have any complain though, I want it to have much less friction anyways. Thankyou for the video.

Very important to screw the stick and throttle down in front and at hip level. The bases have holes for screwing down. Look at an F-16 or F-22 cockpit and you will get the idea. Screw the stick and throttle in the right position and these behave way better. Removing the grease from the inside should be your very last resort.

Very interesting, thx for sharing! My X55 should arrive next week. One question, though: Does the temperature of the entire device make a difference? I can imagine, that a cold device means "stickier goo" inside, which causes higher friction on the throttle. So does the friction change, after using the device for a bit (let's say, for 15mins or so)?

I know this video is old but I really need some help with my X55 Rhino. The buttons(and scroll wheel) on the left throttle work fine from 0% to 99% but when you push it past 100% the buttons no longer register. Something is physically wrong with it. I've had it for two years and after not using it for about 3 months and turning it back on, it suddenly had this problem. Does anyone else experience this, and how do I fix it?

Thanks for sharing! Been thinking about getting an X55 for a while now. A buddy of mine got one and we both were put off by the inconsistency and the severity of the throttle friction even at the lightest setting. We are planning to use them for Star Citizen where quicker throttle changes are/can be preferential. This mod might very well make a big difference. I'd love to know if there's anywhere us end users might be able to find some of that non-Newtonian goop if we take too much off or even decided we wanted to remove all of it and do a completely hand-done reapplication to make it nice and even.

Nice video, do you know How I can fix the Big rotary button on top of the throttle? Mine is stuck and I can't figure out how to open this part after removing all of the screws on the top of the throttle...

Will this also work for the followup model, the X56 ?

How far have you disassembled the throttle? I need to disassemble the handle and replace the top rotary/push button (if I can source the part, whatever it is called. "push-button potentiometer" maybe?). Also the wiring in the left-hand throttle needs replacing as the buttons no longer work in the max position. Any tips on doing this? I wish I could get hold of a service manual for this thing.

Necesito ayuda puedes ayudarme???

Did you broke the throtle cables?

yeah it's pretty stiff... at first I was holding the throttle with my right hand and using my left hand to throttle up lol. mounting it would be easier, cheaper and less potential damage tho IMO. But good video for those willing to go above and beyond

This also works for the Newer X-56 from Logitech (the grey one)

thanks for reassuring me that all the screws are identical. i tried opening the base to see what was inside. i leave the screws inside so i don't lose them but i couldn't put the base back with the screws inside. now that i know they're all the same i can stop worrying.

Another fix: first off good vid, this works quite well, but I find the friction can become inconsistent and still strong for fine moment with helis or formation flying/refuelling. Fix: I cleaned all goo out using WD40 then inserted a strip of soft foam (like in a couch) into each channel where the 'blades' go. It creates gentle friction without having a strong 'breakaway' force. So throttle doesn't jolt or stick when doing small adjusts... Best way I've found so far... Hope it helps someone. Happy flying

I have an x55 and they loosen up after a week of use so this is totally not a needed fix

No need to do this at all. The dial you touch 1.05 is the tension dial for the throttle. Turn one way to loosen it.

Just mount the thing correctly with bloody screws FFS!

Rubbish!