DS4 thumb sticks might have a problem?

ElectricKaibutsu said:
I went to Bic Camera in Ginza and got to try a PS4 for the first time. They had two PS4s, each with one controller attached and each was missing the left thumb stick. Apparently this is a problem even in Japan which is surprising since I would've bet they would have been a different batch since it launched so late over here.

Here's a pic I took:
Click to expand...

Is it just me or do those look extra gross. Why are they so glossy?
 
Here in Australia, some of our EB games stores have demo stations for PS4. Each store has six stations, and I can think of 4 stores I've been to with them.

Literally every single one of these stations have a DS4 with a worn down left thumbstick, to the point where around half of them have the plasticunderneath coming through. I'm not exaggerating at all.

My two DS4s at home only have very little wear in comparison, which is weird
 
So, we are 6 months into PS4 ownership, my DS4 has 450 hours of use on it.

No wear on the thumb sticks, no sticking buttons.

The touch pad is a bit polished though with all the warframe ability spamming.
 
I don't have a PS4, but I do use a DS4 with my PC. Sadly, this is happening to my sticks. It's too bad, I actually like the grip of them. I think I'm going to order some Xbox one sticks, those are much more robust from what I've played.
 
I'm sorry to not go through all pages, I've got squeaky R2 L2's, anybody else with that problem and a fix? (R2 squeaks more than L2)
 
UrbanRats said:
My 360 controller looked something like that (although maybe not that bad) after about 5 years of use (both on 360 AND pc).
Click to expand...

atpbx said:
So, we are 6 months into PS4 ownership, my DS4 has 450 hours of use on it.

No wear on the thumb sticks, no sticking buttons.

The touch pad is a bit polished though with all the warframe ability spamming.
Click to expand...

Jup also day one owner here :)
No wear, no sticking, no nothing on my ds4. Its even survive heavy trials fusion session...
 
hesido said:
Hmm, if I can't find that, would WD-40 be destructive for the plastic? I know some products melt certain materials..
Click to expand...
WD-40 will smell, though I believe it could be fine for plastic triggers on the controller. (If you go with it, test a small, unseen and untouched part of the controller plastic before applying it to the trigger to be sure.)

Personally, I'd go for a graphite powder lubricant. Search it. It's a widely available and inexpensive product found at any hardware store or department store with home fixture improvement/replacement supplies.
 
Goodacre0081 said:
the Xbone sticks arrived and put them in.



- very easy to install, just need a small phillips head.
- they don't get slick when used after after a long session
- these are longer than the DS4 sticks so they feel looser
- the textured sides are a nice touch
- the diameter is smaller so that might be considered a downside

I tried to put a pair in my 360 controller but the dome too small, it hits the analog box. since I have extras I might experiment with the Dremel.
Click to expand...

Oh I absolutely have to order some of those now. That seems like the perfect solution for me. I'm glad the joystick grips I ordered were cheap ($3 for two pairs) since it doesn't look like I'll need them if I just replace the joysticks altogether.

Does anyone know if the FPS Freeks that were made for the 360 fit on the Xbox One joysticks? I currently use them on the right joysticks only on both of my DS4s. If they don't I simply won't replace the right stick so it won't be a big deal but I'm just curious.
 
MrGreencastle said:
I don't have a PS4, but I do use a DS4 with my PC. Sadly, this is happening to my sticks. It's too bad, I actually like the grip of them. I think I'm going to order some Xbox one sticks, those are much more robust from what I've played.
Click to expand...

Fair warning: Xbone controller feels cheap by comparison to the DS4. After about 50 hrs of Titanfall my primary controller constantly creaks and flexes. They are simply not built as well as the 360 controllers and feel relatively flimsy in use due primarily to being snapped together whereas the 360 and DS4 conts are held together by screws. After about double that many hrs on my DS4 I havent had any issues with the sticks or overall construction. Just thought I'd offer up my $ .02.
 
I just put gel grips on my ds4,xb1,and wii u controllers. They all feel like the wear down easier than previous gens.. Or maybe I have a super death grip now from 30 years of gaming (^_-)
 
MightyHedgehog said:
WD-40 will smell, though I believe it could be fine for plastic triggers on the controller. (If you go with it, test a small, unseen and untouched part of the controller plastic before applying it to the trigger to be sure.)

Personally, I'd go for a graphite powder lubricant. Search it. It's a widely available and inexpensive product found at any hardware store or department store with home fixture improvement/replacement supplies.
Click to expand...

Thanks a bunch! Will try to get hands on graphite.
 
Do we have a list of batch numbers that are affected by this? I've been using my packaged DS4 pretty heavily since launch and the only thing that has happened to the sticks are that the center raised area is now smooth instead of dimpled. It isn't worn through or damaged like any of the pictures in this thread. Although I don't use the edges of the sticks to move them, I use the tip of my thumbs on the center and use the inner ridge to move the sticks.
 
After some vigorous Towerfall playing earlier, the rubber on one of my controller's thumbsticks peeled away. It had been flaking for some time while the other controller - though visibly worn - has no such problem.

Luckily Amazon were more than happy to replace it, without me having to return the original controller. I'm actually quite glad it peeled because once I replace the thumbsticks on the defective one I'll have an extra controller for free!
 
I can confirm first hand, from a friend that got a ps4 recently after I compared his brand new DS4 and mine, that new sticks are definitely made from a different rubber. The new one is a lot less rubbery, you can feel the difference by touch, it looks shinier, the color looks darker? Even though I haven't experienced any problems with my sticks, mine are a lot more rubbery than my friends. I think Sony addressed the problem already if all of them come with this newer shinier sticks.
 
XxCGSxX said:
I can confirm first hand, from a friend that got a ps4 recently after I compared his brand new DS4 and mine, that new sticks are definitely made from a different rubber. The new one is a lot less rubbery, you can feel the difference by touch, it looks shinier, the color looks darker? Even though I haven't experienced any problems with my sticks, mine are a lot more rubbery than my friends. I think Sony addressed the problem already if all of them come with this newer shinier sticks.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I'll give a comparison when my new one arrives.
 
terrible said:
Oh I absolutely have to order some of those now. That seems like the perfect solution for me. I'm glad the joystick grips I ordered were cheap ($3 for two pairs) since it doesn't look like I'll need them if I just replace the joysticks altogether.

Does anyone know if the FPS Freeks that were made for the 360 fit on the Xbox One joysticks? I currently use them on the right joysticks only on both of my DS4s. If they don't I simply won't replace the right stick so it won't be a big deal but I'm just curious.
Click to expand...

the diameter of the Xbone sticks is smaller than the 360 stick so the third party grips probably wont fit tight enough.

xbone/360
jbdLHFBpELGunP.png
Click to expand...
 
Launch thumbstick peeled months ago. Amazon were nice enough to give me a free controller. Last week replacement started peeling too.

Needs a redesign.
 
So it looks like I'm going to have to bite the bullet and pay $10-$15 shipping to send my controller to Sony for a replacement, even though it's the controller than came with my launch system and I bought an extended warranty.

Really not happy about that, especially considering it'll probably happen to my second controller, and potentially my replacement down the road.
 
XxCGSxX said:
I can confirm first hand, from a friend that got a ps4 recently after I compared his brand new DS4 and mine, that new sticks are definitely made from a different rubber. The new one is a lot less rubbery, you can feel the difference by touch, it looks shinier, the color looks darker? Even though I haven't experienced any problems with my sticks, mine are a lot more rubbery than my friends. I think Sony addressed the problem already if all of them come with this newer shinier sticks.
Click to expand...

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing, as I've been waiting for an update. I want to retire my DS3 once and for all.
 
You guys should really just buy a bag of bulk DS4 sticks and replace them yourself instead of paying a bunch of money and waiting weeks to ship it to Sony. All you need is a small screwdriver and the ability to follow instructions. The sticks are really easy to replace.
 
Mike Works said:
So it looks like I'm going to have to bite the bullet and pay $10-$15 shipping to send my controller to Sony for a replacement, even though it's the controller than came with my launch system and I bought an extended warranty.

Really not happy about that, especially considering it'll probably happen to my second controller, and potentially my replacement down the road.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I remember having to pay for shipping for the replacement controller, was not a happy camper about that.
 
Memorabilia said:
Fair warning: Xbone controller feels cheap by comparison to the DS4. After about 50 hrs of Titanfall my primary controller constantly creaks and flexes. They are simply not built as well as the 360 controllers and feel relatively flimsy in use due primarily to being snapped together whereas the 360 and DS4 conts are held together by screws. After about double that many hrs on my DS4 I havent had any issues with the sticks or overall construction. Just thought I'd offer up my $ .02.
Click to expand...

I was referring to replacing the worn out DS4 stick with Xbox One controller sticks, since they don't wear out nearly as easily, because it isn't covered by soft rubber and rather a hard tire-like grip pattern.

But, as an aside, I've put about 100+ hours on to both the DS4 and Xbox One controllers, and I feel the Xbox controller is better built. It still works great, and the sticks have not worn out in the slightest. I prefer the triggers, and the better rumble. The DS4 is better for PC, though, since it has a touchpad for cursor use, and connects via bluetooth, so no dongle required.

Also, you're being misleading when saying the Xbox One controller is snapped together, and not by screws. It has a cover over the back of each of the handles (which hides the screw-holes), but other than that, it is held together by screws just the same.

At the end of the day they are both great controllers, the DS4's thumbsticks just leave a bit to be desired. So rather than replace with the sticks that already broke for me, I will replace them with the sticks that didn't and work great even today.
 
My sticks were perfect since December until I knock out a little chunk. But that was due to me not being diligent enough in cutting my nails.
 
Mike Works said:
So it looks like I'm going to have to bite the bullet and pay $10-$15 shipping to send my controller to Sony for a replacement, even though it's the controller than came with my launch system and I bought an extended warranty.

Really not happy about that, especially considering it'll probably happen to my second controller, and potentially my replacement down the road.
Click to expand...

I realize it's Sony's fault for going with a questionable build quality in the rubber but I would just put that $10 shipping fee towards a sack of replacement sticks. this way you can keep your DS4 and get 10 sticks that are ready to swap out at your leisure.

who knows, two years down the line the sticks might wear again and you'll have no warranty to fall back on.
 
Goodacre0081 said:
I realize it's Sony's fault for going with a questionable build quality in the rubber but I would just put that $10 shipping fee towards a sack of replacement sticks. this way you can keep your DS4 and get 10 sticks that are ready to swap out are your leisure.

who knows, two years down the line the sticks might wear again and you'll have no warranty to fall back on.
Click to expand...
Does anyone have a link to DS4 replacement sticks (that ships to Canada)? Do they sell exact replicas, or are they third party?
 
Goodacre0081 said:
the diameter of the Xbone sticks is smaller than the 360 stick so the third party grips probably wont fit tight enough.

xbone/360
Click to expand...

I guess my controllers are going to have mismatched joysticks then haha. Xbox One joysticks on the left, PS4 joysticks on the right!

I can't wait. I ordered way too many though. On ebay they had ten for ~$10 or twenty for ~$12. I went with 20 since it seemed like a better deal lol.
 
Goodacre0081 said:
you have two ribbons in the controller, one for USB and on for the light bar. did you remember to put both back in when you reassembled?

it's possible to turn on the controller when it's all opened up so you can check the light when you open it next time.
Click to expand...

InfiniteUnrest said:
Probably just a loose cable. Hopefully it wasn't ripped out or anything that would require soldering.
Click to expand...

Ok, that was easy to fix. I just had the ribbon cable in backwards. LED works fine and it's charging now, too. My e-mods shipment says it's expected June 11th now. Hope it doesn't really take that long. Thanks for the help, fellas. Great idea. Everyone should do this.
 
My wife has been playing Trials Fusion over the weekend. Somehow she managed to dig her fingernails into the rubber on the left stick and it's now looking rather tattered.

CHNzEEK.jpg
 
Piggus said:
Yay. My Bone sticks arrived. They seem to grip my thumbs a lot better than the old sticks.
Click to expand...

my main complaint with the ds4 sticks is that whenever i perform an action that requires me to hold the stick in a stick direction for a long period of time (its especially bad for stuff like sprinting in COD of BF4 where you also have to hold down the stuck), my thumb feels like its gradually slipping off the edges. for lack of the description its kind of like the same feeling your fingers get when you're hanging from a ledge and finger(s) start to fatigue and losing grip strength lol. not sure if its the grip or just that the sticks are smaller than the 360 ones i've be used to for the last 7 years.

do you think switching to the xbone sticks would help with this?

i'm also looking at the kontrol freeks cqc. does anything have experience with these?

i think i need some of that powder nba players or gymnasts use lol
 
Xbox One sticks definitely helped with the issue of my fingers slipping during difficult Trials sections. The textured rim is great.
 
henhowc said:
my main complaint with the ds4 sticks is that whenever i perform an action that requires me to hold the stick in a stick direction for a long period of time (its especially bad for stuff like sprinting in COD of BF4 where you also have to hold down the stuck), my thumb feels like its gradually slipping off the edges. for lack of the description its kind of like the same feeling your fingers get when you're hanging from a ledge and finger(s) start to fatigue and losing grip strength lol. not sure if its the grip or just that the sticks are smaller than the 360 ones i've be used to for the last 7 years.

do you think switching to the xbone sticks would help with this?

i'm also looking at the kontrol freeks cqc. does anything have experience with these?

i think i need some of that powder nba players or gymnasts use lol
Click to expand...

ya I had the same problem with slippery sticks in BF4, I would need to wipe the sticks to remove moisture when I played for longer periods. the Xbone sticks don't have this problem.
 
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