Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick [How to take it apart, fix it, then put it back together again.]

In this video I disassemble then reassemble a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro joystick. It was knocked off of my desk and the impact threw the throttle axis out of alignment. While I was at it, I completely took it apart, cleaned and realigned its inside, then reassembled it.
This isn't a short, step by step video. Rather, it's the whole activity with minimal outtakes. This was intended to be viewed while someone took their own joystick apart.
UPDATE (2023-07-20) FYI: Some viewers have commented on me not highlighting the removal of 2 or 3 screws in the base of the handle. I made this video so long ago I don't remember doing this. However, this is the comment from one viewer:
@ChoiceOfIllusion 3 years ago (edited) - Thanks this video helped me, but WARNING! When removing the handle you forget to show the 2 screws you MUST remove inside the rubber sleeve at the base of the handle (below the little tab you mention). If anyone follows the video and tries to force the handle apart with these screws still in, they will break the handle. You can see the holes in the handle base where these screws go at 3:37 on the right edge of the white mat. You said you already opened the joystick so you must have just forgotten to replace these 2 screws.
UPDATE (2018-08-13). I've upgraded to a Saitek X52. My LE3P is now tucked away in a dark corner.

[@anthonyaristo9482]

I stopped purchasing these brand new once I learned how to fix them myself. Kind of bums me out that the materials aren’t a little bit more quality. Like for instance the twist handle sensor always seems to fail first. Not sure or how I never unclipped the twist spring but the reason I found this video is because I was searching for the correct way. Hands-down, the best video for repairing this joystick by far. Your attention to detail was exactly what I was looking for. Cheers

[@erikgreene1685]

You helped a war vet stuck in his house alone. Well, I have my doggo, but she hates flying. THANKS!!!

[@IanDavisPhotography]

You're welcome.

[@fathawaiianboy247]

9 years later and this is still incredibly helpful. You explaining where the clip went for the yaw axis saved me from headache and fixed my controller. The first time I took it apart this piece slipped out of place when I wasn't paying attention and I was never able to figure out where It went leaving me with a controller that couldn't twist. But now I'm back to lazily flying around when I'm bored:)

[@v-d-os8747]

It's OK, mine won't stop pulling to the left again. I replaced the last one still in my closet with a new of the same model; I've been using this same model since Battlefiled 1942. This video and another text guide I found, I'm about to have 3 working Logitech joysticks :)

[@DirtbagWest]

Certainly a small audience,, but it sure helped me get mine back together. It was the 'yaw' spring that I hadn't figured out. Thanks a million for taking your time to put this together. I've never been afraid to take anything apart and almost always get it back together, this one would have stumped me and the stick would have gone to a dump. Again thank you. Seattle

[@markfarrell6810]

Thank you, great video! I did this to my EXTREME 3D Pro and got a little surprise. During your handle disassembly, you removed 3 screws and unfastened the clip. Mine had 2 more screws at the bottom of the "collar", right on the bottom of the molding. Almost destroyed it trying to pry it apart with those 2 screws in place. Lucky for me, I know plastic and was certain something more was going on here. Once found, it came apart easily. I took it apart to try and find where the slop in the Z-Axis was coming from. After watching your video, I had a pretty good idea. The coil spring on the shaft is held spread apart by a plastic tab, but on mine, the tab is too wide or the bent spring ends are a little off square. I used an razor knife to shave off a few thousands of an inch on either side and it took away a little over half the free play. Anyone else needing to do this you could use a metal file or a emery board, BUT do not remove too much. The spacer allows the 2 pins on the coil spring to fit over the nub in the handle. If you make spacer tab too narrow, you will end up having to put a lot of pressure on the handle to get it to snap into place or even require you to put a spacer in the area you cut too much away from. This has been a relatively good joystick for the price (I paid about 25% of SRP for a new one in 2020). My only complaints are that when used for Elite Dangerous with Windows 10, you have to use v.joy to get the game to recognize the control inputs. The other is that it is obviously inferior to modern joysticks both physically and electronically. The hardware is cheaper and the electronics have a significantly lower resolution. But, it flies my ships well enough.

[@gmitchell_tc]

I just took apart my joystick, soaked the potentiometers in warm soapy water for ~10 minutes, blew them dry with the can, put it all back together following your tutorial, and my stick is like new again! Thanks a ton, you saved me at least $50!

[@Ash_18037]

Thanks this video helped me, but WARNING! When removing the handle you forget to show the 2 screws you MUST remove inside the rubber sleeve at the base of the handle (below the little tab you mention). If anyone follows the video and tries to force the handle apart with these screws still in, they will break the handle. You can see the holes in the handle base where these screws go at 3:37 on the right edge of the white mat. You said you already opened the joystick so you must have just forgotten to replace these 2 screws.

[@LiamRobinson]

You're a life saver

[@enforcer21a]

I was ready to buy a new joystick after I'd taken mine apart. Thank you for showing us how to take it apart and put it back together!!! Huge huge help!!

[@Xpressd]

10 years ago ! wow thanks Ian Davis

[@goranpersson7781]

My first Extreme 3D Pro served me for nine years. My 2nd one about one year. I now have two faulty joysticks that I might be able to mix and match into a working joystick thanks to this video.

[@markricketts4011]

Very helpful video. Thank you. As experienced by another commenter my handle had 5 screws holding it together, 2 were hidden under the rubber boot at the base. I took mine apart to remove the centring spring (to give a better feel when used with flight sim) and this was easy after I had watched video. Watch the video as you go along and simply split the handle (5 screws in mine), remove the base cover ( 6 or so screws underneath), release the light coloured plastic sensor mechanism from the base ( 4 bigger screws ) and you have access to the spring. I didn’t remove any connectors as there is enough slack in the wires to lift everything out of the way as you go.

[@BamTehBrent]

Thank a lot! This was incredibly useful. I've had about 12 years of service from this joystick and I think I can squeeze a few more out now.

[@microRiZu]

lmao that's hilarious i just got a new one and it already had few buttons not working...

[@IanDavisPhotography]

@@microRiZu I use a Saitek now so mine is available for parts :D

[@calebmcbrier4588]

Thank you for the full dive! I couldn't figure out the spring in the handle for the twist. You're video helped a lot.

[@kiravd5392]

I was panicking thinking that I was never going to figure out how to put it back together. Thank you so much!

[@mystromcflame8870]

I have had this joystick for years and it was broken. I decided to throw it out but then I decided to try and fix it first and thanks to you I was able to keep it

[@brenatevi]

Accidentally dumped a cup of lemonade on mine. Took it apart, cleaned it up, but had problems getting the stick back together. This video helped me with my problem. Thanks!

[@dt-k]

This video is a great help. I took my joystick apart to troubleshoot an issue I was having with the twisting of the handle. When I put it back together, I'd lost tension in the handle. Turns out, I hadn't set the spring/clip like you show at 27:52. Joystick is now back together and working.

[@Gyroburner]

Thanks for the video, helped me fix the loose twisting mechanism, which was causing big headaches. Didn't know that the twist spring was supposed to be touching something else.

[@Daveman1123]

No way, I’m watching this video 7 years later and the first thing I notice is your T-shirt 😂 Random but hopefully appreciated if you get to see this. Thanks for the tear down!

[@DeepBass75]

Thanks for uploading this, I couldn't get the handle properly closed up because of the clip not alligning. This helped me a lot, thank you.

[@usyachannel]

Your video helped me install the rudder axls spring correctly! thank you!

[@valentinaselektrikas]

Thank you :). For me 27:52 was a key moment, that spiral, difficult to figure out how to put together, but once in place its easy.

[@optrirominiluikus]

Just what I needed! Had some problems with drifting, but I took the stick apart and put it back together, and it worked. Guess something was just out of whack. Had this thing for years.

[@AndyUltra]

Brilliant. My axis sensor was playing up. The rubber in the middle has started to break up abit and caused lots of black dust in the working parts. I stripped it down and gave it a good clean and its just like new again. Many thanks for a great video.

[@GameGod0]

I've been looking for an example of how a centering spring mechanism works in joystick, and I found it around 15:20 in your video - Thanks a ton!

[@arttuliimatainen2654]

This video gave me the confidence to open my X3D and fix my small problem with the button 11. I'm not sure why, but it ceased working couple months ago. I'm still not sure what was wrong with it, but opening the stick and tightening the screws on the base buttons circuit board fixed it right up. Thank you!

[@edgarramos5201]

thank you very much for this video, I thought I was never going to reassemble my joystick again XD

[@darioinfini]

I got the information I needed from watching your video; appreciate your posting it. I WILL upgrade to something better in the mid term future but till then, trying to keep this thing usable.

[@samot4972]

Thank you, my twisted is all fixed now

[@gaiahorn]

Lifesaver! Just pulled my joystick out of the closet and it was having some issues. I was able to clean it and now it works perfectly.

[@mayacakil]

Thanks to your video i was about to garbage the joystick but now it's works!

[@harthaidn8250]

Thank you for making the video. My son's joystick lost the spring tension. Turns out the lubricant on the spring had become too sticky and held the spring in the compressed position.

[@The_Real_Zaineman]

thanks, I used part of this vid to take apart the same stick but the wireless version. I needed to lubricate the stick. I went through the bottom and did not take the handle apart. just got to the spring and the parts on it and used TW25 b. it is an insanely expensive lube for firearms. Safe on plastics. WOW what a difference. I thank you !

[@undirishfr]

Nice video would be even better if the close-ups would be centered in the frame of the video so you could actually see what you are taking a close-up of.

[@iansprescott]

Fair comment but despite this I found it very helpful, Maybe he should grow a third arm?

[@FattCattRedRacing]

I was so made my controller drifted bad I dug into it with your help ,and found two of the four tabs that hold the white housing to the base of the controller busted off so the base moved giving me the drifting ...a little JB weld and i'm back in business thanks buddy

[@jeremispetre1988]

Great effort and video!

[@herrakahmy6840]

Cheers mate, I was able to disassemble, but couldn't figure out rudder spring. Also nice tips attaching things with tape :) Next thing is take it apart again and figure out which parts I need to lubricate to get rid of squeaking...my axis were not solid and calibrating was very hard, playing impossible. I sprayed potentiometers (?) with contact spray and now they are 100% solid :)

[@herrakahmy6840]

Answering to myself as this was quick fix. I used all kinds of spary lubricants, like WD-40, teflon based etc...they made stick sqeak even more than cleaned one. To fix, I applied heavy duty axel grease and *only* greased stick inside base spring and plastic white "collar" on top of spring -> smoothiest and most silent stick ever!! Clean well before greasing, but you do not have to take part white base assembly with sensors etc.

[@geraldrader3060]

appreciate your video. it showed me how to place the wire spring at the base of the handle. for yaw. very nice.

[@Jeerin_]

oh my god you are amazing for making this video, I am making a custom flight stick for my senior project and this video is going to help me a lot!

[@IanDavisPhotography]

Good luck!!

[@Jeerin_]

@@IanDavisPhotography thanks!

[@heklik]

thanks. finally yaw tension works by watching this video.

[@BlueCipher]

Very helpful - thank you very much for taking the time to show everything in detail.

[@panicp2000]

Thanks for this. Really helped me to figure out how to fit the spring for that Yaw resistance too. Just couldn't figure it out. Great tips too (simple stuff like use tape to keep annoying bits that fall out when trying to assemble). Thanks mate.

[@pierrechristian6767]

That's the same problem I'm having.

[@breandanlee2]

NOTE: there are also 2 screws under the rubber membrane. don't miss those or you'll ruin your joystick trying to get the handle apart...

[@musoseven8218]

Spot on my friend, that nearly caught me out too!✌️💜👍😊

[@Centuriom]

thank you i repair the z axis thanks your video, my extreme pro have more than 10 years, i play with him battlefield 1942 lol. and now continue with battlefield 5, z axis works so so ,but for now i continue playing, congrats from Spain,

[@brainfreeze1925]

Good stuff! Feliz Navidad.

[@Centuriom]

@Lyes Tarzalt you need to open and clean with alcohol the potenciometer of the z axis is very little piece need have carefull and patiente

[@BodySculptTV]

Thank you for sharing this with us, it greatly appreciated. I just bought this Joystick and it works fine but I was considering adding LED lights to some of the buttons and your video helped.

[@MrLuizsaluti]

Thank you very much. I spilled a drop of coffee into my Wingman Force 3D, which has almost the same assembly. There was a drop of coffee in the main chip. I wiped it and it got back working. Your video helped me in the final process, all the tricks about the stick itself. What bugs me is that after putting it back together, all the noise in the axis were gone. Go figure! My joystick is born from the ashes. Thanks to you I still have a nice joystick to play flight sims.

[@kengilbert2620]

FYI- I had 2 additional screws under the rubber boot that I had to take out before I could remove the stick. I've lost the right hat-switch view and 3rd button, Looks like the tactile buttons went bad. Hopefully I can find suitable replacements and can fix this. Thanks for the video though as it gave me confidence to take mine apart and attempt a fix.

[@chrisracing81]

Thanks for your video - it was just seconds before i threw this piece of sh*t through the closed window when i wanted to put this together again

[@leustad]

Thank for showing how to put back that little spring for the yaw resistance. I couldn't figure out by my self :)

[@S4but4I]

+Umut Hocaoglu M2

[@aidancommenting]

Sorry I'm five years late lol, but can I maybe get a timestamp? Took apart a Sector 7 rapid fire joystick I bought at a thrift store, and now I can't get the yaw rotation to center properly Edit: Never mind, it's at 27:28 for anyone else looking for it

[@sathvikobuli2307]

Aidan Chappelle I followed instructions, but it is still stuck straight. It is not moving in any way. Joystick is fine, rudder will not turn, when I try to use the rudder in X-Plane, I see very minuscule movements. I need the twist again. Could you help?

[@questofknowledge8788]

Sathvik Obuli Just finished servicing mine and it is more of a feel thing. The spring doesn’t go exactly where he points out in the video, but very close. I just moved the half around until I found the correct spot and popped it together.

[@jesuscontreras2626]

x2

[@Loopcyclemusic]

Just found this, must watch later when I have time. Got a problem with the rotation where it seems pretty random and won't calibrate, so hopefully will be able to take a closer look if I can get the thing apart.

[@sopel3pl]

This movie was helping me repair my joystick. Thx

[@thelycan001]

Thanks for this video, my trothles and rotation axis were whacking out bad... I was thinking about getting rid of it to buy a new one, you saved me a bunch of $$

[@plebsimracer2413]

Thank you, this helped me take the joystick apart, reduce it to the "pitch" axis and turn it into an analogue handbrake for racing sims

[@IanDavisPhotography]

That's cool. Who wudda thunk? :D

[@conflagration24]

Thank you

[@DumpsterFire2048]

Took mine apart, shoved it into a an Ch Throttle. Have been using it ever since.

[@SparkyCinematics]

Thank you for this, I was able to fix my buttons 1 to 6 because of this. Now I can use my trigger again :)

[@flipvanderwalt722]

Your video helped me to fix my logic3 pro. Thanks for your help.

[@FrankJmClarke]

Thanks, I cut 1 coil of the XY spring, this helped a lot.

[@ludest827]

As I struggled to remove the handle housing, I learned that you forgot to mention the 2 screws at the base where the dust cover is

[@dons3006]

That yaw spring was driving me nuts until I figured out how it was supposed to go in. I found this video after the fact.

[@raftn1397]

Thank you for this video! Was able to fix the z axis drift problem because of it! Now it's as good as new!

[@skyzkid415]

How, what did you do? Just take it apart and clean it?

[@raftn1397]

@@skyzkid415 yup, just cleaned the sensors just like how the video showed it. It was so dirty from over a decade of neglect

[@Doudelidou678]

VERY usefull i had problem with that (tricky part) for the joystick side resistance and now i know why ^^

[@scottfckalltodowithu9634]

cheers. finally got my joystick back together properly

[@MultiChallenge]

good work man On my joystick broken finger, which puts the plastic and the spring. But still the joystick works! It works since 2007.

[@moss8448]

Great video... mine is a few yrs old and starting to show it. I noticed that taking the three screws from the handle that the underneath tab you speak of 'pushing up' it seems to me it needs the two smaller screws removed that are hidden by the dust cup at the base of the handle in order for the handle halves to come apart.

[@squirly309]

thank you I was killing myself trying to open it, you are right there are additional screws

[@moss8448]

@@squirly309 shit I broke my first one...like they say...learn by making mistakes

[@XStreet1985]

Thanks for this video! Worked like a charm. Now i can get back to Elite Dangerous :)

[@PhilCrothersComplex]

This is awesome. Thanks for making this video.

[@3SV_1EV]

Thanks for your help 😉

[@jmonsted]

I got my hat switches cleaned out and working much better. Thank you.

[@AGenericAccount]

Thanks for uploading, helped me out a bunch!

[@robtyson6389]

Thanks for the video. You are the Man!

[@CrossoverGameReviews]

Thank you for this video. For some reason, the trigger and buttons 2 3 and 4 do not work on mine when you tilt it to the left but work fine on right tilt. Had to dissemble to find out and had this video on as I worked. I failed to find the cause of the problem but at least I know what the inside looks like when I search for help.

[@musoseven8218]

Thank you for the simple but effective (Id not thought of them after a long day), tips of using tape to hold buttons in place. The joystick section is a...... fiddly joy🙄😲🤭😀 That yaw spring is a right #£&+!!@#! when it comes out the first time and as a novice you dont know that the top end crosses over the bottom end etc. I only needed, I hope🤞🤞🙏, to dry lub/clean the number two micro-switch. Ill try it tomorrow, if its failed, I have a spare joystick and Ill swap the PCBs as that one is broken in the base, iirc, but its joystick buttons were fine. Thanks again 👍😊💜✌️😊

[@thrstyvmpr]

Thank you, so very much. I took mine apart, reseated the sensors, put it back together, and i'll be damned, it works correctly now!

[@genuinsanity]

Mine was sitting unused in high humidity environment for about a year...some of the controls " rusty" or don't work at all. Really don't want to bow money on a new one. I'm guessing some contacts need to be cleaned .

[@MaddogMaddu]

THX 4 this video^^ It helped me to put in this little spring from 27:00 - ... The buttons are still not working, but its build together again^^

[@ZdrytchX]

Was tryuing to fit it using the left piece instead of the right piece first. I guess using the right piece does make it a little easier although you need to make sure the rudder stick thing aligns in the left case. I had to dismantle the top section of the joy because there was a hatswitch button that wouldn't detect unless you press it hard. Since I didn't have any other solution available easily, I just simply taped the hatswitch rubber section with about 8 layers of tape and that seemed to work. It doesn't click in anymore but at least it detects when I need it to.

[@markypea]

I just fixed the issue that I had with the hat switch down, button two and six not working intermittently. I found that moving the stick full to the left, they would work. The connector cable for the stick into the main board on the base gets moved around when you move the stick. I think that the constant movement of the wires going into the connector has caused some of them to lose contact in some (most) orientations. I found that holding the cable in a certain position everything worked, so I hot glued the cable to the back of the connector. I noted that there was already hot glue there, so I presume that Logitech figured there was a design fault and the hot glue was a bodge fix. Initially I hot glued the cable and discovered once I had built the stick that hat right didn't work, so I had to strip it again and try again, this time checking that everything worked. It's still good now, but how long it will last I don't know. These are cheap sticks though, pretty disappointed compared to by MS FFB2, but nobody supports force feedback now and it's broken in War Thunder.

[@paulkirkland3263]

Thanks very much for this video. I couldn't work out how the two tails of the Z-axis spring fitted into the right half of the stick handle. From 27:25 you sorted it out for me - one of them has to be lifted and separated from the other. I would never have got that - thank you! :O)

[@boashna]

bravo needed the spring postion

[@hanneshauptmann]

Thank you for this video :) I am happy, that logitech did the inner design of the stick so nice. You can paint this stick EASILY. Im comparision to the Cyborg Flight 5, the logitech is the sky and the other one is hell :)

[@IanDavisPhotography]

***** :)

[@anthonyaristo9482]

** Attention** before you disassemble this joystick try to calibrate it first if having sensors out of alignment. For me it was always the twist sensor. Every now and then it would appear to be stuck with left or right input causing my game aircraft to yaw. first open up the Logitech profile or app Next, if your joystick sensor was out of center and let’s say twisting to the right side, grab the controller and twisted in the opposite direction while you unplug USB . (You may get an error, but just click retry) While still holding the joystick in the opposite direction, plug the USB back in while holding the twist If that doesn’t work, twist the joystick in the opposite direction while unplugging the USB, but this time let go of the twist before you plug a USB back in It worked for me many times. Before that I thought the sensor was bad or dirty, and ended up, taking the joystick apart, only to waste so much time. This calibration method might not be for everyone, but for me, it saved, at least an hour of work of R&R

[@captaincygni2162]

This comment should be in the description or pinned or something, since it fixed my twist problem too

[@justarandomguy4860]

DAMN BRO, i had the stupid idea of opening it, now the rudder doesnt come back by itself, maybe this will be very helpful!

[@Wolfskopf]

Great video

[@peter-e2q]

53,000+ views!!! Just how many faulty bloody joysticks are there? Mine is slowly biasing right Z access, bloody annoying! Cheers for this video.

[@gonzalovega2748]

Excelent video!!! Thank you very much!!!

[@tallperson5075]

Where do you insert the round clip? That's where I'm getting confuse.

[@trogdog1267]

Thank you for the tutorial! I am currently having an issue where, when the stick is positioned neutrally, the twist sensor only recognizes twisting to the extreme left. Additionally, when I push the horizontal axis rightward, the twist sensor recognizes all motion from right to center, but not left. Horizontal axis is left or neutral: Twist inputs only hard left or center, no in between. Horizontal axis is right: Twist inputs full range only between center to right. I've tried reinstalling and updating drivers, using different USB ports, and cleaning out the twist and turn sensors to no avail. Has anyone else had a similar problem, and if you were able to fix it, how so?

[@oumarashrafikhan5289]

I am also facing same issues? Did u resolved it ?

[@joeszymanski3540]

Same problem. Still haven't found a fix except getting a new potometer.

[@trogdog1267]

@@oumarashrafikhan5289 I did not, and I settled on purchasing another.

[@אלכסנדרהברעקוסטי]

As I used the joystick, it's accuracy decreased. Would I need a replacement spring, or should tinkering with the sensors be adequate?

[@randyreal5871]

I was thinking about removing the springs but looks like a pain

[@Shaun81000]

My joystick is incredibly squeaky. I pulled it all out and aded some silicone grease to the spring and the plastic ring that sits on top of the ring, but it doesn't help. I can't figure out where else I should be applying some grease, as the white cube that holds the joystick arm doesn't have any surfaces that are in contact with each other and require lube. Please help

[@thibesancon]

Very helpful! Many thanks!

[@churblefurbles]

Still being sold, I wonder if they've changed anything through the years.

[@sephirotic87]

My side buttons are also pretty bad, they are stiff and fail to register even when they "click". I thought about opening up and changing the switches, but I wasn't able to identify them from your video.

[@itz_not_me4257]

Good job man! Respect!

[@nggamechanel5844]

Спасибо, долго не мог правильно установить пружину. Thanks, i was spend a lot of time to setup spring.

[@bomber3481]

After putting together the handle I have a problem because I can't really twist it left nor right

[@roldan1988]

Thank you very much.

[@leeross7896]

Just want to say THANKS! i had mine apart and could not figure out the spring at 27:53. Because of FS2020 joysticks are insanely over priced so you just saved my bacon! Thanks again!

[@WolfeXhunter]

Thanks for this video.