DualShock 4 Left Analog Stick Replacement

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.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four 6.4 mm-long screws securing the rear case.

Use an opening pick to pry each corner of the L1 button from the front case.

Remove the button.

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

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.

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.

Locate the clips by looking through the gap above the R2 or L2 buttons.

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.

Repeat this procedure for the clip near the L2 button.

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

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

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

Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the interconnect cable by pulling its blue pull tab straight out of the socket.

Use tweezers or your fingers to grab and disconnect the head of the battery cable from the motherboard.

Remove the battery.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.