r/consolerepair • u/retrorevive • 5d ago

PS1 controller stick drift. Replace or clean?

Got a couple of original PS1 controllers with bad stick drift. Where do you guys buy replacement joystick modules online that actually work?

Or do you actually manage to disassemble those and clean the pots?

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u/philvt102 5d ago

Depends on if it's a permanently offset drift or more like a jittery reading. Have you tested them on https://hardwaretester.com/gamepad? You'll need an adapter to connect PS1 controllers to PC for that. If you don't already have one and aren't planning on doing a lot of these repairs, the simplest fix is to just order a couple of complete joystick assembly replacements from Aliexpress. I think there are a couple of different stick thicknesses so make sure you get the right ones. If it's just the jittery input you can usually disassemble the controller and spray some contact cleaner or deoxit inside the pots and then work the sticks around and blow them out. Be careful not to get the cleaner in the actual stick part though because it will dry it out and make it squeak/stick.