DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Analog Stick Covers Replacement

Written By: Clay Eickemeyer

Comments: 19

DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT1U) Analog Stick Covers Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 - 45 minutes

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace worn out or broken analog stick covers in your DualShock 4 model CUH-ZCT1U controller.

Note that analog stick covers aren't responsible for stick drift. If your analog sticks aren't working as expected, you may need to clean or replace the analog stick module.

Tools

Parts

DualShock 4 Controller Joystick Cover

Step 1

Check the model number on the back of your controller. This guide was written using model CUH-ZCT1U. If you have another model, the guide procedure and replacement parts may differ slightly.
If you have the second generation DualShock 4, model CUH-ZCT2U, use these guides.

model:cuh-zct2e

كيف يمكن ان افكها

Mhmod -

Step 2

If you need to stabilize your controller during this repair, lay it on a soft surface such as a microfiber cloth.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four 6.4 mm-long screws securing the rear case.

to re-torque these PH00 screw... i found 19Ncm to be about the max. (since 27Ncm was too much)

Dreamcat 4 -

Step 3

Use an opening pick to pry each corner of the L1 button from the front case.
Cover the button to prevent it from ejecting out of your workspace.
Remove the button.

Step 4

Use your opening pick to pry and remove the R1 button, just as you did for the L1 button.

Step 5

Six plastic clips secure the rear case to the front case. The next four steps demonstrate how to release these clips before you can open the controller.
Insert your opening pick at a downward angle between the front case and rear case, halfway between the handle and the action buttons.
Slide your pick toward the handle and pry up to release the first clip.
Repeat this procedure on the other side of the controller to release the second clip.

Step 6

Two more clips secure the rear case near the extension port and the headphone jack.
Insert your opening pick between the front case and rear case at either side of the ports.
Twist your pick to unclip this section of the rear case from the front case.
If the rear case feels stuck, insert and twist your pick from different angles.
Don't open the controller yet, as it's still held together by two very delicate clips near the triggers.

Step 7

The final two clips are very delicate, and must be disengaged from inside the controller. If you break them, don't worry—it won't affect this repair or your controllers functionality.
Locate the clips by looking through the gap above the R2 or L2 buttons.

Step 8

Insert the point of a spudger through the gap above the R2 button and push the retaining clip outward.
While pushing the clip outward, slowly pull the rear case away from the front case until you feel them separate.
Don't fully open the controller until each of the R2 and L2 clips have been disengaged.
Repeat this procedure for the clip near the L2 button.

Step 9

Press the R2 button and slide the rear case over it.

Step 10

Press the L2 button and slide the rear case over it.

Step 11

Flip the rear case over the top of the controller and lay it down, being careful not to strain the interconnect cable.

Step 12

Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the interconnect cable by pulling its blue pull tab straight out of the socket.
During reassembly, reconnect the cable with its blue pull tab facing the outside of the controller.

On the model CUH-ZCT2E the circuit board is mirrored so that the connection is on the left side. When reassembling the blue tab should be facing inwards.

Konrad Skeri Ekblad -

Step 13

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 15

Grab and remove the reset button extension from its recess in the battery bracket.

On the model CUH-ZCT2E this is part of the battery bracket and not removable. Just skip this step.

Konrad Skeri Ekblad -

Step 16

Locate the two clips securing the battery bracket to the motherboard.
Insert the point of your spudger into the opening behind the right bracket clip.
Depress the clip to disengage it from the motherboard.
Lift up the right edge of the battery bracket.

On the model CUH-ZCT2E the battery bracket is not secured by clips but by a PH #00 screw mid height on the right half of the battery bracket. Just remove the screw and for the next step lift the battery bracket straight up.

Konrad Skeri Ekblad -

Step 17

Insert the point of your spudger in the opening behind the left bracket clip.
Depress the clip to disengage it from the motherboard.
Remove the battery bracket.

Step 18

Use the point of your spudger to flip up the locking flap securing the touch pad cable ZIF connector.
Use tweezers or your fingers to disconnect the cable using its blue pull tab.

Step 19

Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the 6.4 mm screw securing the motherboard.

Step 20

Be careful not to strain the vibration motor cables. Follow this guide to re-solder the vibration motors if they break off the motherboard.
Lift the motherboard from the midframe.
Guide the analog stick covers through their cutouts in the front case.
Flip the motherboard over the bottom of the controller, leaving the vibration motor cables attached.

Step 21

Grab and pull the analog stick covers straight off their modules.
During reassembly, rotate and press the covers until they slide onto the modules.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Author

Clay Eickemeyer

Member since: 19/09/22

77540 Reputation

14 comments

So I followed all the steps, got the sticks in. But when I put the controller back together it Wouldent turn on. Do you guys have any clue as to what it could be?

blscott2270 - 03/09/16

Same exact thing happened to me, just wouldn't turn back on

Andrew Purcell - 28/10/16

Me too and all the reconnected cables are connected correctly, but it just won’t work.

Andy Hui - 07/07/18

Hope you guys still keep the parts, since the problem can be resolved by following the post below successfully. :)

https://www.google.com.hk/amp/s/amp.redd...

Andy Hui - 14/07/18

i think you didn't put a wire in

Gabrys Holcman - 07/10/16

Does this fix the issue with worn out sticks? Mine currently at idle will get stuck slightly pressing to the left, (in game, I'll be cruising left at a snail's pace) and pressing up/forward or sometimes pressing to the right doesn't fully work (in game this causes me to either not move at all, or move at about 2/3rds speed).

I've had them for about two years now, and they have seen some rigorous use, I tell you what. It is beginning to affect gameplay pretty badly, though.

doomjockey5000 - 18/10/16

The options and share button are loose when I try to put it back together any suggestions?

bdj1293 - 23/11/16

Thank you for the guide - it helped me fix a beaten up DS4 controller I found on the flea market. However, it would be nice to explain a bit more in detail how to crack the case pieces open. Some detailed pictures with the different inside clips and hinges would be nice. Also, there is no explanation as to how to assemble the L2/R2 triggers back together. Last, but not least, there is no explanation as to how to remove the battery tray, in order to connect the touchpad to the motherboard.

Vlad Mocanu Alexandru - 20/12/16

It actually opens quite easily. I'm female with shaky fingers and didn't have a plastic pry tool. Broke the last one opening iPhones. I took a very small flat too screw driver from my electronic tool set, stuck it in at the same spot he showed and just gently pried all around. It opened fairly easily with nothing breaking. When it was almost all the way open I did go to the opposite side and gently loosened up thevither end, just so it would open straight. It's easy as long as you are gentle with it

Dagmar Kugler - 09/06/17

If parts to the controller should be replaced how would you know? Is there a circuit test proceedure for the mother board? How would you know to replace other items when you are disassembling the controller? Thank you for the assistance with my controller and your time you have taken to help. Have a great one!

bonnie.anderson59 - 25/02/17

Thank you for the guide !

julio rosica - 25/07/18

Used this guide to disassemble a PS4 controller and had no issues at all! Thank you for the guide

jvoric - 06/10/20

This doesn't look easy and there are opportunities to mess things up. Also, it might be hard to find an unused analog stick cover. I would try silicone joystick caps from eBay before attempting this guide.

Sometimes plastic or rubber items I handle become extremely sticky and can't be cleaned. This is a very annoying problem for me. I remember my stepdad yelling at me because I'd made swimming goggles sticky, and he also thought I'd covered bicycle handlebars with glue to make my hands stick better. Really I think it's just resins and plasticizers leeching out because of my sweat. I had the same problem with my PS4 controller's joysticks. No matter how carefully I wash my hands or clean the controller they're sticky. If I were to sell it for parts I wouldn't want someone to buy my sticky joystick covers.

I bought some silicone joystick caps from eBay and they were easy to install, I just stretched them over my existing joysticks. They've even got some little bumps that help with grip.

Gary F -

As of March 14, 2023, this guide has been updated! Comments regarding step procedures may no longer be relevant.

Clay Eickemeyer -