DualShock 4 Left Analog Stick Replacement

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Oct 04, 2017 - 10:26:42

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Introduction

Here is a DualShock 4 controller that had a drift to both analog joysticks. Fairly straight forward replacement of the joysticks resolved the issue.

What you need

Step 1 Controller

DualShock 4 Left Analog Stick Replacement, Controller: step 1, image 1 of 1

Using the Phillips #00 Screwdriver, remove the four 6.0 mm screws securing the rear cover to the controller.
Be careful loosening the screws, using the wrong sized screwdriver, or letting the screwdriver slip can permanently damage the screw heads, making removal extremely difficult.

Step 2

DualShock 4 Left Analog Stick Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3

Four fragile plastic clips hold the casing together. You can see their locations more clearly in this guide.
The clips help hold the seams together. If you break these clips, the controller will still work.
Beginning with the left handle:
Pinch the left handle of the controller to introduce an opening.
Wedge a plastic opening tool into the opening and slide it up towards the joystick.
Pull down on tool to pry open the casing.
Repeat these steps for the right handle.

Step 3

DualShock 4 Left Analog Stick Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3

Wedge a plastic opening tool into the case-splittings and pull down to crack open the casing near the following buttons:
Share button
Options button
Split the plastic covers of the controller apart, taking note that they will still be attached by circuit board ribbons.
Three small pieces are often released from the framework. To prevent loss, maintain a controlled work field.
2 Trigger Springs
1 Grey Reset Button Extension

Step 4 Disconnect the battery

DualShock 4 Left Analog Stick Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 4, image 1 of 2

DualShock 4 Left Analog Stick Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 4, image 2 of 2

Use tweezers or your fingers to grab and disconnect the head of the battery cable from the motherboard.
Only pull on the head of the connector—don't pull on the cable itself.

Step 5 Remove the battery

DualShock 4 Left Analog Stick Replacement, Remove the battery: step 5, image 1 of 1

Remove the battery.

Step 6 Disassembling DualShock 4 Motherboard Assembly

DualShock 4 Left Analog Stick Replacement, Disassembling DualShock 4 Motherboard Assembly: step 6, image 1 of 1

Remove the single 6.0 mm Phillips screw found below the battery retainer with the Phillips #00 Screwdriver.
Do not forcefully loosen the screw, as it may amount to permanent damage of the threads, making removal impossible.

Step 7

Gently detach the touchpad ribbon connected to the motherboard using the blunt forceps. The touchpad ribbon is connected to the motherboard by a connector that flips to tighten and loosen. During reassembly, to reattach the ribbon, the plastic tray will need to be gently removed from the motherboard and the flip-lock flipped up.

Step 8

Carefully dislodge the motherboard assembly from the front cover.
Vibration motors are loosely attached to the motherboard assembly. Provide support at the two ends to ease the separation.
When removing the motherboard assembly, try not to tilt the front cover upside down as the buttons and their covers may fall out.

Step 9 Disassembly Complete

DualShock 4 Left Analog Stick Replacement, Disassembly Complete: step 9, image 1 of 3

DualShock 4 Left Analog Stick Replacement, Disassembly Complete: step 9, image 2 of 3

DualShock 4 Left Analog Stick Replacement, Disassembly Complete: step 9, image 3 of 3

Successful disassembly of the controller will result in the following three parts, respectively:
Motherboard Assembly
Front Cover
Rear Cover

Step 10 Left Analog Stick

DualShock 4 Left Analog Stick Replacement, Left Analog Stick: step 10, image 1 of 3

DualShock 4 Left Analog Stick Replacement, Left Analog Stick: step 10, image 2 of 3

DualShock 4 Left Analog Stick Replacement, Left Analog Stick: step 10, image 3 of 3

Use a "Helping Hands" or similar tool to hold the circuit board steady for the solder work.
These are the solder connections that will need to be desoldered. Since the board is upside down, left will become right.
Use a desoldering wick and flux to melt and remove the solder

Step 11

DualShock 4 Left Analog Stick Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3

Once all the contacts are desoldered, the old joystick can be removed. This may take a bit of practice since all the solder will have to be removed. It does help to pull a bit on the joystick while melting the solder and using the wick.
Ensure that the contacts of the replacement joystick are identical to the original.
Check that all the holes are cleared of old solder. Hypodermic needles as well as very small drill bits can be used to clear the holes. The molten looking substance on the circuit board is the flux used for the desoldering.

Step 12

DualShock 4 Left Analog Stick Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3

Insert the new joystick into the circuit board. Make sure it is properly seated and that all the contacts line up with the holes in the circuit board.
Solder all the contacts to the board.
Here is the board after the repair. All that is left is to clean off the old flux with some isopropyl alcohol.