DIY Duke or S sticks on 360 or switching the sticks

Difficulty: Easy
Controller: Any 360 controller
Details: The original Xbox had superior thumb sticks, and they probably got used less so they aren't as worn out as your 360's sticks, so consider the following. All you need is an old original Xbox controller, some sandpaper, a wood file or a dremel, and tools and techniques to open the controller, that I will show below. You can also do this by just swapping the left and right sticks for some extra grip if ones more worn out then the other.

TOOLS:
For a wireless controller, a Torx 9 security bit screwdriver or small flathead screwdriver that fits inside of the screw. Also keep a regular Torx 9 screwdriver handy in case the post in the middle of the screw falls off. All the screws are visable except the one under the barcode under the battery, unscrewing this will void your controller for trade in at gamestop or other game stores.


For a wired controller, any small phillips head screwdriver will work as long as its around the right size. You will need the same phillips head screwdriver for the original Xbox controller as well.

On both of the controllers, there is a hidden screw under a sticker in the middle of the controller.

Opening is as simple as removing all the screws and keeping it upside down, and then pulling up on the bottom shell, exposing the back of the circuit board, the triggers and the rumble motors. Your controller will look something like this:


Without removing the rumble motors, you should flip the circuit board over and over them, so you can get to the thumb sticks, all without making the buttons fall out of the controller. Then take out the 360 thumb sticks.

Now take apart the original Xbox controller with a phillips screwdriver and take the sticks out of it. You will notice the rounded plastic part is larger then on the 360 sticks, take sandpaper, a dremel or a wood file and sand it down to about the same size as a 360's sticks, or you wont have the full range of motion for the thumbstick.

Put the thumbsticks onto the 360 controller, and make sure it has full motion and doesn't hit the left bumper button or anything else.

Putting the controller back together may give you a hard time, keep the buttons faced down, and if it doesn't go together the first time try putting the rumble motors in the slots on the other shell and then putting it together.

Now, do the same thing to the original xbox controller, its the same process, and the controller will still work with 360 sticks just fine.

Happy gaming.