Is your Nintendo 64 controller joystick loose and worn out? If so, you will be pleased to know that it is very easy to replace a loose joystick with either a replacement one, or a good one from a donor controller. In total, this swap will take about 15 minutes if you're switching joysticks between two controllers, or half that if you have a replacement.
I have always used joysticks from used Grey or Atomic Purple controllers, simply because they are plentiful and cheap as most people tend to use the colored controllers more often than their "boring" brothers. I have never used a replacement joystick, so I cannot comment on their quality.
After the swap, you will have an N64 controller with a nice tight joystick, and if you used a donor, one with a loose stick. I will usually sell the loose controllers for what I paid for them, around $5, so that no one feels ripped off. The buyer gets a cheap official controller, and the seller gets his money back.
Tools needed: Philips head screwdriver set
Time Required: 5-15 minutes
Difficulty: 2/10
[img width=700 height=525]http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae295/blcklblskt/N64%20Controller/1.jpg[/img]
The first step is to remove all 9 screws holding the controller together. The screws I've shown in red are the largest screws you will be taking out, and there are 7 of them in all. Next, remove the blue screws. They are usually pretty tight, and they are the longest screws. Make sure that you use the correct size screwdriver, otherwise you run the risk of stripping the screw heads.
[img width=700 height=525]http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae295/blcklblskt/N64%20Controller/2.jpg[/img]
The second step is to remove the back part of the controller shell. Here you will see the back of the joystick, which is the black piece. Remove the yellow screws next and place them aside. To move the Z-Button board (the small one on the back of the joystick), push the two black pieces of plastic that hold the board in place carefully in the direction of the orange arrows. Then push the board and rubber piece in the direction of the green arrow. To remove the connector, place your fingernail between it and pop it out.
[img width=700 height=525]http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae295/blcklblskt/N64%20Controller/3.jpg[/img]
You have now removed the joystick itself and can now replace it. To replace it, simply follow the steps above in reverse, and you will soon have a good controller again!
[img width=700 height=525]http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae295/blcklblskt/N64%20Controller/4.jpg[/img]
Bigger mages can be seen on my photobucket account here:
http://s981.photobucket.c...klblskt/N64%20Controller/I hope this helps!
