DS4 thumb sticks might have a problem?

Rodpad said:
(Originally posted this in the other smaller PS4 sticks thread)

Finished modding my DualShock 4 with Xbox One analog sticks. It feels so much better now. Be warned it's pretty fiddly if the triggers (and their springs) pop out during disassembly. Nothing that can't be rectified with precision and patience though. Another thing I'll add is that you shouldn't tighten the screws too much when re-assembling, else the new XB1 sticks will chafe against other internals.

I used iFixit's guide to aid me.

Apologies for the poor quality (and dust!). Lighting is bad and I'm using a phone camera.

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This is awesome, first I'm hearing of this option. I may have to do this down the line, I much prefer the Xbone sticks and I've tried two sets of grips on my DS4 sticks but haven't liked them.
 
I'm not worried about dust. For one, my living room isn't all that dusty. The gap isn't much bigger than the one that already exists. Several years from now, in the off chance that something actually does start to go wrong due to dust, I can just open it up and blow it out. I keep compressed air around for things like that.
 
Okay, I should have done this a long time ago.. the XBO sticks feel sooo much better than the default ones. The higher sticks make them feel like DS3 sticks, but with better grip because of the different shape. Any hesitation I had about how racing games would fare on this controller (I'm a dual-stick racer whenever possible) is gone now, this feels perfect. Bring on Driveclub!

I would go so far as to recommend this upgrade even if you're not having problems with the DS4 sticks. I got a second pair of XBO sticks, and another controller that I haven't even used yet.. I'm considering upgrading that one, too.
 
Decided to google this and realized many others are having the same issue. I'm also having this issue with my thumbsticks peeling and flaking off on both of my controllers.

And that's just from normal use, not extensive use. I got them both at launch - is there any hope to exchange them back to Walmart at this point? The website says I am not eligible for a return anymore.

I really like the thumbstick design so I don't want to have to use a coverup piece or alternate stick.
 
Frogfucious said:
Decided to google this and realized many others are having the same issue. I'm also having this issue with my thumbsticks peeling and flaking off on both of my controllers.

And that's just from normal use, not extensive use. I got them both at launch - is there any hope to exchange them back to Walmart at this point? The website says I am not eligible for a return anymore.

I really like the thumbstick design so I don't want to have to use a coverup piece or alternate stick.
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Nah man, no returns on anything but launch or it's very limited. I am getting a new one from Amazon today so I will be looking over numbers and watching that rubber closely. Still have to send my launch one back but I am waiting.
 
Has Sony addressed this? My non gaffer friends ps4 sticks are ripping a part and he doesn't play that often.

If it's just a bad batch surely getting a new one now will work right?
 
I have 3 DS4s (Black, Red, Blue) and so far they are all fine.
It's the perfect controller, the only annoying thing is the battery life. =/

Tawpgun said:
Has Sony addressed this? My non gaffer friends ps4 sticks are ripping a part and he doesn't play that often.

If it's just a bad batch surely getting a new one now will work right?
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I remember something about letting them know about it and they would replace the controller immediatelly. Not sure where tho.
 
DemurOnion said:
Nah man, no returns on anything but launch or it's very limited. I am getting a new one from Amazon today so I will be looking over numbers and watching that rubber closely. Still have to send my launch one back but I am waiting.
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But mine is from launch. Or did you mean no because they are from launch? Where are you sending yours back to, Sony? Either way good luck with the new one looking forward to seeing if it's any better.

silver.tongue said:
I remember something about letting them know about it and they would replace the controller immediatelly. Not sure where tho.
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I heard this too but also not sure where. Anyone else know how I could contact Sony for an exchange?
 
Tawpgun said:
Has Sony addressed this? My non gaffer friends ps4 sticks are ripping a part and he doesn't play that often.
Click to expand...

silver.tongue said:
I remember something about letting them know about it and they would replace the controller immediatelly. Not sure where tho.
Click to expand...

Frogfucious said:
I heard this too but also not sure where. Anyone else know how I could contact Sony for an exchange?
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Sony will replace your DS4 as long as it's under it's original 1-yr warranty (as of today, all of them)... you need to submit a "Online Service Request" from the PlayStation Support Home Page. Just be aware you need to pay for shipping when sending your DS4(s) to Sony.

Also, be aware they might just send you back a serviced controller, not necesarely a new DS4.... take a look at my post HERE from the other thread.
 
Semi-not happy here and a warning to Amazon people: they are still selling controllers with number 1 but instead of 11202390 I have 112023B. Seems like the same rubber but it's hard to tell. Rubber still seems to soft. Not sure what it is

Amazon is always good to me because I am a repeat customer and top reviewer. I will be 'renting' this for a month and then suddenly a cut in the rubber will happen if you get my drift IF I am not satisfied with wear after a month.

Also, for those that don't agree with this practice what would you have me do? Wait until out of warranty for this thing to deteriorate? Not happening. No way to open box to check before either. I won't be sending my other one back to Sony for a while yet. Damn it anyway I thought I was clear with people so long ago telling me that 2s were out? What is this? Is it a new one? It is so hard to tell damn it!
 
birdcity said:
Rubber on my left thumbstick from my launch system has finally split. I knew it was coming. :(
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What is your number on that? I'm still not sure about this new one.

I would say that mine started to noticeably go south after 2 months, which, is one month too long for me to keep without fully knowing if this is a new one or not. Damn you Amazon.

Honestly, how do you suddenly fuck up the rubber on your controller this bad? It's too fucking soft SONY! HELLO! TOO SOFT! If I can make an imprint in the damn rubber with my fingernail applying medium pressure your damn rubber is TOO SOFT.

Honestly, imo what happened is some genius thought hey these guys need better grip. And then the soft rubber came into play. They handed it out to their testers for a month and basically saw nothing. No one would have known after a month in most cases. You can tell this gen had little to no long term testing done.

Also, the dumbass who put that ID number strip right where your hands touch needs to be fired. How can you honestly have a job still after these things in a major corporation? Such trivial issues that are so easy to solve with good design. All you had to do was higher that strip an inch. SMFH. Gotta tape it or wears off within weeks.
 
I talked to a Best Buy guy on Sunday after noticing a controller with fully intact sticks (first time I've stopped in to play one in a few months) and he said they're swapping PS4 controllers out of their display units every week or so now :-/
 
swazzyswess said:
I talked to a Best Buy guy on Sunday after noticing a controller with fully intact sticks (first time I've stopped in to play one in a few months) and he said they're swapping PS4 controllers out of their display units every week or so now :-/
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Yeah, it's bad man. This is costing Sony 20-50 million in the end no doubt about it imho. If they haven't fired the people involved in this then they need to. Simple as that.

Sony PR saying this is a non-issue is hilarious. It's huge. They done a nice job of covering it up though and the defense force still thinks it isn't widespread. It is. Just a question of time as Depeche Mode might say.

Honestly, this rubber is just plain annoying.
 
DemurOnion said:
It's too fucking soft SONY! HELLO! TOO SOFT! If I can make an imprint in the damn rubber with my fingernail applying medium pressure your damn rubber is TOO SOFT.
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Yep. It's blatantly obvious the rubber is too soft after touching a controller for a few minutes. I know supposedly there are some batches worse than others, but I'm surprised they haven't gotten rid of this type of rubber completely. Hopefully they will soon.
 
iFootball said:
Sony will replace your DS4 as long as it's under it's original 1-yr warranty (as of today, all of them)... you need to submit a "Online Service Request" from the PlayStation Support Home Page. Just be aware you need to pay for shipping when sending your DS4(s) to Sony.

Also, be aware they might just send you back a serviced controller, not necesarely a new DS4.... take a look at my post HERE from the other thread.
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Thanks for the info, just got off of live chat with Sony support, they said I'll need to send the 2 controllers in for service. In the meantime I may buy another one, so I should be looking for a serial number that starts with "2" not "1"?
 
Frogfucious said:
Thanks for the info, just got off of live chat with Sony support, they said I'll need to send the 2 controllers in for service. In the meantime I may buy another one, so I should be looking for a serial number that starts with "2" not "1"?
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We can't be sure, but that's what some have speculated... few people with "2xxx" (if any) have complained about the problem so..
 
R1 stick issue, SUPER easy fix yes, almost immediate on my new controller from Amazon starting with 1 and the rubber is way too soft. I have hatched a plan GAF!

Since Amazon and me are buds and they did this twice to me now, I will be sending them back my ORIGINAL plastic nub controller, keeping this one which will wear out in 3-6 months, and then I will possibly just get a replacement from them or more than likely I will just get my money back. New controller that I won't have to send to Sony for about 4 months, just in time for a warranty.

All I gotta say where I live in Midwest the Amazon warehouse is still selling the old ones.
 
iFootball said:
We can't be sure, but that's what some have speculated... few people with "2xxx" (if any) have complained about the problem so..
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I HAVE in fact heard of people with a #2 complaining on a couple forums. I think it was Gamefaqs or something and dates were very old like February! But this could have been the first batch still.
 
Started to happen to my left stick a month ago so I switch the left and right stick around well anyways it started to happen again to the left stick so I bought these of ebay and they've been brilliant, I was never to fond of the rubber on the stock sticks found it to slippery but so far the grip on the new ones is so much better.
 
I think it's pretty inexcusable of Sony not to address this issue. It's pretty obvious that it's not just one bad batch.
How they could make such a mistake going from the DS3 which are solid like a rock is beyond me.
The crappy quality on the controller is actually part of what's stopping me from buying a PS4. I don't want to have to deal with stuff like this.
 
Ya my thumbsticks are wearing off too. Can I take them to a Sony store to replace them? Or do I have to ship them in?

Or can anyone recommend a good cover for them? THat may work too if its comfortable.

EDIT: Also, I am seeing you can tell by the model number which are good and which are bad? Can anyone explain so I know incase I buy another while mine are shipped off (if that is what I end up doing)
 
Rodpad said:
(Originally posted this in the other smaller PS4 sticks thread)

Finished modding my DualShock 4 with Xbox One analog sticks. It feels so much better now. Be warned it's pretty fiddly if the triggers (and their springs) pop out during disassembly. Nothing that can't be rectified with precision and patience though. Another thing I'll add is that you shouldn't tighten the screws too much when re-assembling, else the new XB1 sticks will chafe against other internals.

I used iFixit's guide to aid me.

Apologies for the poor quality (and dust!). Lighting is bad and I'm using a phone camera.

DHjjA8L.png

HO1OA6Y.png
Click to expand...

I don't have a spudger like the ifxit guys, are the triggers really unfixable if the springs fly off?
 
No problem with the sticks yet on my two DS4s--part of a Costco bundle I bought in March.

I did get a squeaky L2 on one of them, but a dab of WD40 took care of that.
 
Santar said:
I think it's pretty inexcusable of Sony not to address this issue. It's pretty obvious that it's not just one bad batch.
How they could make such a mistake going from the DS3 which are solid like a rock is beyond me.
Click to expand...

The DS4 isn't crappy; far from it. It's just the covering on the thumbsticks of a bad batch of a small number of first-run DS4s it seems i.e. "Series 1". There are a number of ways to resolve the issue including sending them back to Sony for a replacement for free (less shipping and handling, obviously). I have two series 1 DS4s and a Series 2. Only one of the S1's covers rubbed off and I replaced the sticks with X1 sticks from amazon and they work great. I'll do the same to the others if that happens.

If you are super worried about this, then just make sure that your DS4s serials are "2xxxxxxxxx" and it seems like you ought to be fine. The fact that you haven't even bought a PS4 yet tells me that if you ever get around to it, both your PS4 and packaged DS4 will be recently manufactured and not the first run, launch units most of us purchased. You'll be fine.
 
I sent back my launch DS4 to Sony as the left stick was starting to wear down to the plastic, and I received my new one today.

The rubber material used on the sticks of this newer controller is *definitely* different. It's more "hard" and not as sticky or "grippy" as then originals were. It feels like a step down as far as playability, but at least these sticks will probably last.

I loved how the original sticks felt just wish they didn't peel.

Fushichou187 said:
If you are super worried about this, then just make sure that your DS4s serials are "2xxxxxxxxx" and it seems like you ought to be fine. The fact that you haven't even bought a PS4 yet tells me that if you ever get around to it, both your PS4 and packaged DS4 will be recently manufactured and not the first run, launch units most of us purchased. You'll be fine.
Click to expand...

iFootball said:
We can't be sure, but that's what some have speculated... few people with "2xxx" (if any) have complained about the problem so..
Click to expand...

Funny, I took pics of the back of my original before I sent it back and it was a "2xxx" model. The new one I just got today with the new rubber recipe has a "1xxx" number.
 
DrRussian said:
Only if you lose the springs.
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I lost one, replaced with that metal thing (that I don't know the name, is that springs?) from an floppy disk... you just need to cut it and make it shorter.

FDCVFCJH1YOL4B5.MEDIUM.jpg


Does anyone know where can I find a replacement for the DualShock 4 ribbon cable?
 
I still don't get how it's so incredible hard for people who don't have this problem to realize that it actually is a problem. How old are these people?
Have anything as widespread as this ever happened with a controller on a previous generation?
Something is definitely not right with these sticks.
My local Gamestop has gotten loads of returns and complaints about the Dualshock 4.
 
Santar said:
I still don't get how it's so incredible hard for people who don't have this problem to realize that it actually is a problem. How old are these people?
Have anything as widespread as this ever happened with a controller on a previous generation?
Something is definitely not right with these sticks.
My local Gamestop has gotten loads of returns and complaints about the Dualshock 4.
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It's a problem, but on the grand scheme of things it's not a big deal. Stores are offering returns and the second batch seems to be fine.

If you're effected, it sucks but it's not the end of the world.
 
TheLostBigBoss said:
It's a problem, but on the grand scheme of things it's not a big deal. Stores are offering returns and the second batch seems to be fine.

If you're effected, it sucks but it's not the end of the world.
Click to expand...

People have talked about sticks from batch 2 also being broken in this very thread.
 
6sa85uT.jpg

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Same thing happened to me so I decided to get some custom dome sticks and call it a day. Always preferred dome sticks anyway.
 
tlstls said:
I lost one, replaced with that metal thing (that I don't know the name, is that springs?) from an floppy disk... you just need to cut it and make it shorter.

FDCVFCJH1YOL4B5.MEDIUM.jpg


Does anyone know where can I find a replacement for the DualShock 4 ribbon cable?
Click to expand...

That puts my mind at ease, thanks how figidity is it to put those springs back in?
 
Kinda ass they only have the dome sticks for the DS4 but all kinds of different faceplates and stuff for the Xbone controller.

*sigh* still like the Xbone sticks on the DS4 alot more than the DS1-3 styled domes...
 
HTK said:
6sa85uT.jpg

zxSvviG.jpg

ZHx3QiO.jpg


Same thing happened to me so I decided to get some custom dome sticks and call it a day. Always preferred dome sticks anyway.
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looks like a downgrade ;)

Santar said:
People have talked about sticks from batch 2 also being broken in this very thread.
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What's "batch 2"? None of use know with certainty what the serial numbers actually mean. They could all very well be from the same batch.
 
Santar said:
People have talked about sticks from batch 2 also being broken in this very thread.
Click to expand...

Except this thread isn't a very good indicator for the controllers true failure rate considering the huge bias in data that is being given.

Like I said, I'm not arguing the existence of the issue, just how serious it is in scale and its effect on consumers.

Also, looking back I shouldn't have even mentioned batch 2, considering its nothing but pure speculation as of this point.
 
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