Thrustmaster TCA Quadrant Autobrake Arm/Disarm Mod

I wanted a more realistic looking autobrake arming function for the Thrustmaster TCA Quadrant addon since the function is completely missing from the original hardware.
The existing mod is fine and was a good inspiration – however I didn’t like the switch placement, extra metal tube and modding of the original housing. So I designed it by myself.

This mod makes use of a small SPDT switch, which is placed inside the lever. The lever itself slides and reveals the typical white stripe when spoilers are armed. The switch is wired the same way as the original mod, so I link the description for installation.
(TL;DR - you use the Pin for Button 25 on the rotary switch, which is mapped to “Auto-Brake 3”. Since this Function is not used by any Airbus, it’s fine to use it for the spoiler arming function.)

I didn’t add a limitation for the arming only in RET position. I think that would complicate the installation and weaken the design. So if you arm your autobrake with spoilers deployed – it won’t work. 😉

Hardware:
1x M2x8 screw (fixation of the lever to the switch)
2x M2x6 screw (mounting of the switch)
1x Mini SPDT switch (ex. https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BTM3WQXN)

Installation:
1. Mount the switch with two M2x6 screws to the middle piece.
2. Solder two wires to the top and middle pin of the switch.
3. Route the wire through the lower piece.
4. Disassemble the housing. (4 screws are hidden under the rubber feet, rotary switch can be pulled off, gear lever can be pulled off after the inserted pin is removed, unscrew the original spoiler lever and pull it off)
5. Solder the two wires to the board and cut the pin from the rotary switch according to the pictures of the original mod: https://cults3d.com/de/modell-3d/gadget/thrustmaster-tca-airbus-autobrake-arm-disarm-modification
6. Assemble the housing, secure the cable with a zip tie to the rod.
7. Slide the middle piece, lower piece and cable over the original rod and secure it with the original screw.
8. Slide the lever over the assembly and secure it with an M2x8 screw. (switch needs to be on the up position)
9. Attach the lower part to the lever. (holds by friction)

Set up in MSFS: You have to map “Auto spoiler” ON and OFF to Button 25, but the ON function also needs to get the option “toggle when released”. Depending on your soldering of the switch, this can be reversed.

Printing: I used PLA for everything on my BambuLab P2S, 0.12 layer height (0.08 for the top), supports for the lower and middle part. Tolerances are tight, you need an good calibrated printer. You can add an color change 3,5mm under the top of the middle part, to have the original white mark when armed. Or use a white pen.