Fix the Stick

I've been browsing the internet for about three hours now looking for ways to fix my PS3 controllers. Here's the story.

I have one Sixaxis that came with the PS3, one that I bought seperately, and a DualShock 3 that I bought about three months ago. The Sixaxis from the PS3 box has a ridiculously loose left stick. It's getting like analog-stick-on-the-demo-PS2s-in-a-Target-store bad if you know what I mean.

The second Sixaxis is doing fine as far as "looseness" goes. Its problem is that the left analog stick squeaks like a dying giraffe. Seriously, it awakens babies. I've read threads where people say try WD-40 or mineral oil, but if you're going to suggest that, please tell me whether you've tried it, if it worked, and if it negatively affected your controllers. For both Sixaxes I've tried cleaning them with cotton swabs (Q-Tips to be specific).

The DualShock 3 works perfectly. Are the sticks on it somehow better than Sixaxis sticks? It's not too crazy to think that considering that the DS3 is immune to those weird Bluetooth F*** ups the Sixaxis suffers from. Whatever the reason, it's perfectly fine. Will it stay that way?

So this thread is my cry for help! I want to add, I'm not an idiot so I know I can just buy another controller. Clearly I'm interested in reparing my other ones since they're a $100+ investment. I love my PS3 but I'll be pissed if I have to spend $50/year on controllers.

Edit: I have fairly nimble fingers so it's not like I'm destroying my controllers. Additionally, I don't play Cod4. I mentioned that because a lot of these threads have people saying the fact that sprint is the L3 button while moving ruins their left sticks. My first Sixaxis has been dropped a lot but otherwise it has been treated well. I also play games a LOT. Each controller probably has over 900 hours of playtime from various games on it. Is this just a wear-and-tear thing?

I have a sixaxis (came with the system) and a DS3 (imported when it was releases in JP) and both are working fine... no problem.

You probably just have bad luck

i totally hear ya man. i've already replaced my first two controllers. luckily, i got them at a clearance price for like 25 bucks a piece, but still, it's a pain knowing that it wont last too long. the call of duty thing really messed up my first controller but the second one had the same problem except it stuck to the left instead the up position like my first controller. i think a part of it is just the amount of play time it's gone through and also the repeated motions a certain controller might endure. just sucks cuz my ONE ps2 controller that i had for like 6 years never gave me a problem and that controller went through 54 games without a hitch while my ps3 controllers couldnt make it past 1 yearmrpear

I thought the same thing about my PS2 controllers. I used them recently and they're perfectly fine. One of them I got at launch and it's still good!

have you tried clicking the L3 button down then moving the stick around sometimes this will fix the squeaking one but it is worth a tryskrillalover

I'll try that in a minute and get back to you.

I have a sixaxis (came with the system) and a DS3 (imported when it was releases in JP) and both are working fine... no problem.

You probably just have bad luckashunpnoy

Maybe you're right. How long have you been using the Sixaxis you have?

Does anyone know anything you can put on the analog stick to make it stop being so loose?

Psn: spyderkid

I agree with you man. my sixaxis f' up badly with both analog stick being squeaky [the left analog stick is worse than the right]. I tried to dismantle the controller, didn't work because one screw won't come out and I ended up having a crooked, uneven controller - think as it is not completely closed on the sides. I tried the WD-40, worked a bit, fixed some squeaking problem but it is still there, plus it left a foul smell on my controller that made me use hand antibacterial soap on the controller (just a dab) and wiped it off with a wet paper towel. I am suffering from this problem, ironically it was the same month that my warranty expired. Ain't Sony a tricky son of b'?

Must...not...make...reference...to my man parts...