Fixing an N64 Controller Broken Joystick (Wiggle Stick) NO REPLACEMENT PARTS

[@squirrel5381]

Tip for those of you trying this for the first time. You can start with 2mm width for the ring, but shave off as much as you can afterwards to make it basically 1mm. I did this twice and both times had problems until I shaved off more.

[@FantasticQuack]

Good tip! I should have been more clear on final dimensions after trimming the excess. I haven't ran into this, but I imagine if the ring is too large it could impede the stick motion. 1mm width or slightly less should be the target.

[@mercupid]

this video was very helpful for me even though i was doing a different repair (replacing the joystick). I've never taken apart a controller to fix it before and your instructions helped me properly disassemble it so thank you!

[@FantasticQuack]

Awesome, I do my best to show detail on the teardown for this exact reason, cheers!

[@Jallge]

I do the same fix but using a small rubber O ring instead, 1mm thickness and I believe 3mm diameter. I think I read about it somewhere online years ago, I don't remember exactly. As long as the gears aren't too worn it works really well. There is some very slight mushiness, but the stick is so much more responsive and smooth, and the original gears are much better than the Kitsch Bent ones. And then once it's fixed I lubricate the gears with lithium grease. And something to keep in mind is that the spacer is lifting the stick away from the bowl, so downward pressure on the stick is going to be put on the gears instead of the bowl. So if somebody uses a lot of force during gameplay the gears may get broken.

[@FantasticQuack]

Good info, thanks!

[@julianleucht413]

Thanks! I also used a 3mm diameter O ring and this works great!

[@ScottBaker38]

Wow. Some other video said the problem was the black parts needed to be replaced, so I bought spares, and it basically made no difference. I need to give this a try. My parents have literally a million of those pens sitting around. Thank you!

[@FantasticQuack]

Hope it goes well man!

[@edcr2959]

How did it go?

[@marcusrat4466]

literally? as in one million? do they own a factory for that kind of pen?

[@FlameLFH]

What I did instead was cut the very tip of a rubber syringe by about 1-2mm, effectively creating a small rubber ring which I slid tightly onto the stick's neck. This made my slightly loose stick tighter than ever, and I doubt it will deteriorate anytime soon. The range of motion is (mostly) the same, though it obviously feels a bit mushier due to rubber squeezing against the plastic gears.

[@FantasticQuack]

That's a great idea! I'm glad it worked out :)

[@dumbostratus]

I just did that! Pushed from under the rubber with the tip of the screw driver to easily cut a hole from the other side. Also had to cut off the sort of ''double rim'' as it was way too tight with it (the stick wouldn't always come back in the centre). Perfect fit :D

[@mofishin2648]

Great Idea, I was looking for something similar but ended up using plumbers/thread tape and my joystick is good as new!

[@ckrom8]

I don't even own a N64 controller, but I find this type of videos satisfying hahaha

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad you liked it :)

[@mmert138]

Man, this is a great trick. I'm into using as many original parts as possible and this is exactly it! Although, filling with resin would also work but this is also nice.

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad you enjoyed! I find this method to be more simple with less room for error. If you mess up with resin/epoxy, your part may be completely shot.

[@Punishment_for_Decadence]

Try out Kitsch-Bent parts. It costs a dollar for a new set of gears

[@themechbuilder6171]

what a coincidence, i too have a transparent controller with a floppy joystick. thanks! definitely will try this

[@FantasticQuack]

Too much mario party? Hope you can get it in better shape!

[@roberttustin4787]

I saw this video and actually got some inspiration. I clipped a very small piece of pipe cleaner and wrapped it around the same area as that plastic piece, and it worked wonders as well! I was honestly surprised.

[@FantasticQuack]

Cool alternative, glad that worked out!

[@BitMan775]

When my Grape one gives out I might have to come back here. Great video!

[@FantasticQuack]

Thank you sir!

[@soundcasualty]

It took some trial and error, but a variation of this actually worked for me! I'm shocked. I used a bread tie because it was thin and easily adjustable. It’s not without its flaws, but my stick is working much better and my benchmarks are closer to a new oem stick. Thank you!

[@FantasticQuack]

Awesome, glad you got yours working better!

[@A_L_I_T_O]

you are a great genius with a hard plastic create some circle shapes and then put them in the middle of the joystick sticks of the nintendo 64 it was completely repaired almost 99% approved thanks master

[@FantasticQuack]

Thanks for watching!

[@Playamane22]

Not super tech savvy but was able to do this in about 10 minutes. Awesome trick. I used the rubber grip of a pen. Had to use two of them stacked on top of each other because it still had some wobble with only one. Still slightly wobbles but compared to how bad it was, it’s night and day.

[@FantasticQuack]

Awesome that you fixed it, congrats!

[@manuelrodriguez2084]

Thanks a lot for the tutorial! I found the perfect piece of plastic out of a pen and tried it. It worked surprisingly well for a 20 year old controller that only had casual play. Thanks a lot!💯😎

[@FantasticQuack]

Love to hear it, cheers!

[@jamesteasdale6399]

Thanks for making this video, just done it this evening and it’s made a huge improvement to my n64 controller!

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad to hear that! Cheers m8

[@DT-622]

Thanks for the video. Have repaired two controllers now, and the 2nd time I think I understood better what is going on. We have a Nintendo Online blue-tooth N64 controller for a Switch (different joystick mechanism, I know) and they all feel very similar now, which I'll take as a win. So this is how I understand the situation: the N64 controllers were built with a bit of up-and-down wiggle room between the shank of the joystick and the smaller (upper) part of the black housing. Originally the bottom of the white cup pushed the joystick upwards so the wiggle-room wasn't apparent, but as the bottom of the shank wore down the surface of the cup, play was introduced. If nothing was done about it (most controllers I guess) it wore out exactly the same depth in the cup as the original wiggle-room, a little over 1mm (and this is the thickness of the O-ring we're looking to construct -- too thick OR too large laterally and the joystick will be very tight and won't have a full range of motion). This hack (thanks again) eliminates the wiggle-room and holds the joystick firmly upwards. AS LONG AS THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY IS LUBRICATED INSIDE (I used Rubik's cube lube) -- especially the new piece you put in there -- I think the whole thing shouldn't wear ANY more. We'll see: I'll be taking mine apart in a few months to see how it looks inside, then clean it again thoroughly with isopropyl and re-lubricate. The N64 is a terrific console, and it's awesome to have a free home fix for the controller. Thanks!

[@FantasticQuack]

Nice job getting yours in better shape and good explanation!

[@joseesteban413]

Awesome N64 joystick repair hack. Thank you for sharing your video and saving my OEM joysticks.

[@FantasticQuack]

Thanks I'm glad to help!

[@Erikku-des]

I had to tinker with the cap spacer by sanding it down a bit and adjusting it when it was in place bc the left and right toggle sprung right back into place, but he top bottom was kinda stiff. Overall, it worked and saved an old controller. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@FantasticQuack]

Thanks for sharing! Very glad this worked for you :)

[@giorgiomoneta5368]

Man, this hack worked well! I owe you. Greetings from italy

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad I could help, cheers!

[@diabolikaldragon9114]

Man I took my controller apart like 7 years ago and I knew I was messing up somewhere. Washer was in the cup not on top for one thing. Thanks for the advice !

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad I could help!

[@lofivalentine9852]

The plastic will always continually eat away at it's housing. I applied some krytox 205g0 lube to all the plastic on the inside of the housing of my joystick to help minimize damage over time, but this is a great way of fixing your existing controller without ordering non-OEM parts.

[@FantasticQuack]

Thanks for the lube suggestion, I should probably start using this more myself!

[@steve17907]

you sir are a GOD thank you so much this is the only tutorial that has a solution sort of buying a replacement stick. Also to anyone thats not from the states i used the concave part of a kinder surprise pod and it fit perfectly

[@FantasticQuack]

Thanks for watching! Kinder pod sounds like a neat alternative option as you'd get curvature in both directions instead of just one like with the pen.

[@marcobarrera9988]

you need more subscribers for real thanks for the help

[@FantasticQuack]

Thanks for the kind words and I'm glad this helped you out!

[@mofishin2648]

Thanks again for the video! I used plumbers/thread tape and my joystick is good as new! FYI anyone opening up the old joystick compartment for the first time may get a good dump of plastic snowflakes! lol

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad you got it fixed up!

[@linkmasters535]

Yeah I had a lot of them come in for fixing and every time I open it up and it was the axis gears that the center was worn away leaving a gap between the two plastic pieces and it needed to be replaced because what it was made out of was not really great quality

[@FantasticQuack]

Well acquainted with plastic dust I see..

[@zipple41]

Did you do a game test afterwards? I tried this method awhile back and it felt great until I tried to actually play a game and found that the plastic piece was limiting the sensor's motion recognition in game (e.g. Mario in SM64 could run left but only walk slowly to the right even with the analog stick fully pushed right). I'm sure some trial and error could fix it, but I was never able to make it work.

[@FantasticQuack]

I didn't game test this particular controller, but I've done the same fix in the past on a controller which I then used without issue for many months afterwards.

[@waza_alex720]

I just did the reparation following this video and I arrive at the same problem as Zipple41, My lose stick is now way firmer and snaps back in place, but in-game, the joystick still performs the same. I still can't run in SM64. I think that adding spacers to the black curved parts might be the solution to recover the joystick's range of motion.

[@zipple41]

@@waza_alex720 Let me know if this works for you! Still looking for a solution since I can't rely on Steel Sticks to be in stock.

[@waza_alex720]

​@@zipple41 I spent around 8h this week trying a couple different methods to bring back to life joysticks that would barely walk in mario64. I personnally think steel sticks are way too expensive, i would not consider them but they might be great. The spacer shown in this video is a great solution to bring back the snap of the joystick, but it does not bring back the lost input. I found that the 2 black curved gear pieces were grinded on the inside and that is probably the source of the bigger deadzone and missing inputs. I tried adding layers of transparent packing sticky paper around the 2 branches of the curved grinded parts, then burning with a lighter and sanding the outside to make it steel feel smooth inside the bowl, trying to fill the inside missing plastic. The next day I tried to achieve the same result dropping a drop of crazy glue and controlling it while it settle.. Both methods kinda worked, I gained back some inputs, but I couldn't make a clean result, the joysticks were still stiff and not perfect, I think time and effort is the solution. 8h was great but not enough. I tried ordering the gears from Etsy N64gears, I will see if the parts can revive a controller, and if it works, I will try to find if someone could help me create a copy with a 3D printer, I Just want to play Smash Multiplayer ahah

[@DT-622]

I believe the O-ring you've constructed is either too thick or too large. And I think it definitely needs to be lubricated too. The original design works well without lubrication, but of course that meant it gradually ate itself.

[@iwastheretwice]

Awesome trick. I Used a little rubber ring I had. Now it's good as new 👍. Thanks!

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad it helped!

[@ImNoOne22]

Whenever I reassemble an n64 controller it doesn’t feel like a perfect fit. There’s a little wiggle in the shell and makes “creeping” sounds. Is that normal? It sounds like the top and bottom shells snap into place but it never has that firm feel afterwards

[@FantasticQuack]

might have a cable pinched in there somewhere. They can "creak" a little bit no matter what but it should feel like a perfect fit when the shell halves come together.

[@mofishin2648]

Great video! I might try this with some small O-rings instead of trying to make a piece like you did in the video!

[@FantasticQuack]

That would probably work well if you got a high durometer o-ring!

[@jtaiv2798]

My stick has a wiggle similar to yours after you did this fix. If I do this, will mine get even better? I have a brand new steel bowl installed, but the stick still has a slight wiggle.

[@FantasticQuack]

I'd only recommend this method if you're trying to get something in bad condition into better condition. You could still give it a go, but if you're already buying new parts I'd probably suggest just buying a new stick as well.

[@Ultra-Collector]

Think you could just use an o-ring/Tiny rubber gasket instead of the pen? Just oil it well after popping it over the nub? I’m gonna try it!

[@FantasticQuack]

O-ring will probably work but you'd want a high durometer or else the stick will feel squishy as the O-ring compresses in use.

[@dustinrutkowski3127]

Thank you for this. My little brother just sent me my old n64 in the mail and i noticed the joysticks are all lose.

[@FantasticQuack]

Hope it helps and you can get yours in better shape, cheers!

[@caiodaris7064]

What about the dead zones? Did you notice any? Did you make some test in a specific software that detect dead zones?

[@FantasticQuack]

I just tested it with Mario 64 and it played much better than before the fix. In hindsight I really should have filmed the gameplay and added to the video for completeness--you're not the first one to ask about this. I might need to do a refreshed video on this topic at some point!

[@bigmex8794]

I absolutely LOVE this fix!

[@FantasticQuack]

Thanks for watching!

[@shininggodmsbeyblader8284]

Nice! I got myself a steel sticks grade a steel bowl and it works amazing and will never wear also which is great!

[@FantasticQuack]

That sounds high class!

[@ScottBaker38]

Where did you get those?

[@mercuryq1144]

I tried this but with a piece of plastic from a wire. Its a little stiff going horizontally but vertically it works like a dream. As for trying it with games, I only have 3d platformers but it works quite well. I do need to apply a bit of force to move all the way left though that may be on me as my cut of the ring was not perfect.

[@FantasticQuack]

If one direction feels different it's definitely a symmetry problem with the insert, but if it works well enough for you then nice fix!

[@johnathan4359]

Hello, im a big fan of your videos and I was wondering what was the fraction of the drill bit you used? Thank you for your time.

[@FantasticQuack]

5/32" - thanks for the kind words!

[@johnathan4359]

@@FantasticQuack so I tried it and the right, top, and left flick back up but the down one won't. Any ideas?

[@johnathan4359]

I figured it the trick is to screw it in but leave a small small gap

[@Augnalius]

Another way is use a jewelry jump ring. However if the to gear slot is too wide and worn out, the ring may fall through the slot. the top gear in this video is good condition, so the plastic ring can rest on top.

[@FantasticQuack]

Cool alternative! Might have to try this next time I've got a wiggly stick in front of me

[@willshaw5593]

What do you do if your joystick is really hard to push up? for me I literally have to push as hard as I can, but it's insanely hard to use (on an OEM)

[@FantasticQuack]

That is not an issue I've seen, it sounds like some debris got trapped inside. I'd recommend opening the joystick assembly and cleaning things out as a starting point.

[@steadylake1084]

its because the support piece you cut is hitting the lid casing making it hard to press up on the joystick. u need to sand the piece down more on that edge.

[@r3c3]

Thanks!! I jjst did this and it's like new! Back to noermal! Thanks for this tip

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad it helped!

[@kirboy1727]

was this one opened up before? i had one that wiggled less than yours yet was absolutely BURIED in white dust when i opened it up. made yours look new in comparison

[@FantasticQuack]

Good observation, yes I had already taken this one apart and cleaned it out before deciding to make the video.

[@BlitZ_115]

Is it supposed to stick when being pushed all the way up or down? (I can still bring it back to the center and it’ll still be good btw but idk if I still messed something up in the process)

[@FantasticQuack]

Stick as in it doesn't have full travel in those directions? That shouldn't be happening, but whether it plays well with games and feels okay is what really matters.

[@Pandakids09]

Could it be possible and easier to make that little circle thing with a 3D printer?

[@FantasticQuack]

Absolutely, but I wouldn't use a straight FDM print with PLA or ABS because of the ridges and printing artifacts that could wear itself or the sorrounding parts. The latter could be vapor smoothed with acetone and the former has some finishing options as well. SLA printing might be good to go right out of the printer. All of these "extra" options are not necessarily common or available to a hobbyist printer. Therefore the pen cap that is already injection molded is a good option and available to pretty much anyone!

[@jeffshepherd6077]

Hoping someone with experience can clarify what the ideal interior diameter should be for these spacers. Help?

[@FantasticQuack]

Unless you're trying to 3D print a spacer you don't need to be that precise and can just do it by feel w/manual whittling. You can take the stick out and measure it yourself with a caliper. Unfortunately I did not do that when I had things disassembled here so can't hand you the number. I'll try to remember to do that on the next one.

[@steadylake1084]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4W0mZ-Jja6miJI this video goes into more detail. hope it helps

[@Satiator123]

​@@FantasticQuack 3d printing spacers for these is a great idea.

[@manyribera5744]

Pas besoin de plastique de stylo les bouteilles de soda font parfaitement l'affaire merci pour ton travail l'ami

[@FantasticQuack]

You're welcome!

[@SonINK]

Wow did this but different way that explains why its good!

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad to hear!

[@user-qo1me7hh2c]

That's awesome 💯 seen someone on Facebook mention this video decided to check it out. For sure a Sub and Like.

[@FantasticQuack]

Thanks for the sub!

[@Megalocade]

I must admit I've had my n64 controller since 1996 the first thing I did was grease up the joystick using automotive grease the bowl and the moving parts, my controller has had a lot of use over the years and has very little wear and stick is fine, these sticks are really dry from factory Nintendo only put in the barw minimum of oil in the bottom of the bowl and the guides but that soon dries out and the stick wears away quite fast I've bought some used n64 controllers in the past where the sticks were beyond repair.

[@FantasticQuack]

Pretty impressive you've kept in in good order for that long!

[@sacriptex5870]

you can use .410 shotgun shells plastic too

[@FantasticQuack]

I don't see why you couldn't!

[@DREWBLAKE15]

I have a controller I tried to fix myself. But I accidentally broke the gear piece that holds the joystick in place. Now the joystick doesn’t move at all 😅

[@FantasticQuack]

Sorry to hear that! Was it a clean break?--Maybe some opportunity to repair it with super glue or epoxy

[@DREWBLAKE15]

@@FantasticQuack yep. Clean break. The right side that held the stick in place broke completely off.

[@AltKage]

Could a o-ring work?

[@FantasticQuack]

For sure, just make sure it's high durometer like 70A at least or else it will feel "squishy"

[@AltKage]

Thanks alot!

[@ReFleXions207]

Cant you just use a rubber o ring?

[@FantasticQuack]

I bet you could but would probably need to be hard (high durometer) or else it will feel "squishy".

[@ReFleXions207]

@@FantasticQuack nice video by the way I was just curious if that would work. I just swapped my worn out one with a good one from another controller. It's about that time to start collecting consoles. I'm buying a Dreamcast and a GameCube this week

[@Raybourna]

Sweet, might do this in the future!

[@FantasticQuack]

Its a pretty simple fix when you get some free time!

[@colineadesyeux]

turns out I had a wiggly stick AND my up/down controls didn't work, so now I can go from left to right real smoothly, but I still have to buy a new controller

[@FantasticQuack]

Are you talking up/down on the d pad? If so check/clean the pad contacts on the board. The method in this vid should resolve all directions on the joystick.

[@GTXDash]

You may have brought back the stiffness but I don't think you brought back the range. Link may only be able to go for a brisk walk but cannot sprint.

[@FantasticQuack]

Not showing game footage was a missed opportunity on my part. It does also bring back the range because the black gear piece starts moving right away by adding that spacer. Before, the gear wouldn't move until the stick was outside the wiggle range. Maybe I'll do an update video at some point showing gameplay.

[@GTXDash]

@@FantasticQuack Well that's good if it worked. ;) cheers for the reply.

[@robcabob1og]

I find the leftover wiggle is caused by the faceplate.

[@FantasticQuack]

I think you're right

[@optimusmam5749]

wow super wise thank you very much🙂👍

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad it helped!

[@tylerpaul7278]

Didnt have my drill bits so i just made the ring out of the rubber grip out of the pen. So far so good but about to put SMASH BROS in the console. Moment of truth.

[@FantasticQuack]

Hope it works out for you!

[@AbacaxIzzy_]

awesome channel

[@FantasticQuack]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@mansamina69]

THX !! For video 👍

[@FantasticQuack]

Thank you for watching!

[@RetroFix]

Nice!

[@FantasticQuack]

Thanks for watching!

[@carlraetzsch]

you da man

[@FantasticQuack]

Hope it helped you out, cheers!

[@carlraetzsch]

@@FantasticQuack it made 3 useless controllers playable again!

[@bigshrimp6949]

I normally don't comment on these videos, but I feel in this case, with the dislikes removed, I should. Trying this fix, following the instructions exactly, my controller not only wasn't fixed, it ran much worse. The stick certainly FELT better, it felt much tighter, but playing a game was a different story. The stick was constantly acting like it was being pushed up with full force and would not go back down without A LOT of effort. I took it apart several times to try to make sure I had done everything correctly, which I had, and every time I put it back together, the problem was still there. I removed the "fix" and now the stick barely registers any movement. It was bad enough before not being able to run fast but it's really bad not being able to move at all. It would certainly have been helpful if there had been some kind of footage showing that you actually got the stick to work and how well it worked.

[@FantasticQuack]

Very sorry to hear this, agreed I should have shown game footage before/after. It did work well on mine which is why I shared the process. The size of the plastic piece is tricky to get right and I'm sure there's opportunity for things to go sideways. I am confused how the behavior is worse after removing the extra plastic though, I'd expect it to have reverted to how it was working before. It's better for me to see this feedback instead of a dislike and then wondering why without any context. I definitely don't want to lead people down any path that makes an issue their experiencing worse, so I'll keep this in mind and try to do better moving forward. There are other solutions to this problem such as repairing the joystick bowl, I'm happy to offer further advice or insight if you'd like to email me.

[@bigshrimp6949]

Thank you very much for the reply. Like I said, I don‘t normally comment since videos like this are trying to be genuinely helpful and I am in no way trying to be needlessly negative towards your video. I did think for people trying this at home it might be helpful to share my experience with your particular fix. It did surprise me that the controller didn‘t go back to its previous manoeuvrability. I’m not sure why though, but I did notice with my controller that the colours weren‘t exactly the same as the colours of the guts in the controller you were fixing. Maybe some are more sensitive than others.

[@robcabob1og]

Cool video But.... I'll stick with my replacement parts.

[@FantasticQuack]

No shame in that, thanks for watching!

[@Rodrigo-Digao]

Great. Now the stick only goes left.

[@FantasticQuack]

Like it can't physically push to the right? Sounds like something got jammed up in there?

[@jamesquinn8164]

bruh moment

[@FantasticQuack]

I was happy with the result :)