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How to Fix the Spring in Your PSP Analog

Of all the parts on Sony's handheld gaming console, the PSP, the analog stick takes the biggest beating. Used primarily to control your in-game characters and to navigate the PSP's cross-media bar, the analog stick will take a significant amount of wear over time. If the stick's internal spring breaks, fixing the problem requires only the removal of a few screws and a replacement stick assembly.

Things You'll Need

Replacement analog stick assembly
PSP safe opening tool

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase a replacement analog stick and a PSP safe opening tool. The safe opening tool is a hard nylon tool used to pry apart the PSP's internal components without damaging the device. See Resources for online PSP parts retailers.
- 2
  Lay the PSP face down on a table. Remove the battery cover and the battery. Use your safe opening tool to remove the Sony warning sticker located inside the battery bay.
- 3
  Remove the screws holding the PSP's faceplate in place. There are two screws in the battery bay ,and two along the right side of the device. There are three more screws around the PSP's side bezel. Two are located on either side of the USB port, and one is located on the bottom of the device.
- 4
  Use your safe opening tool to carefully pry the faceplate off of the device. Start at the top of the PSP and work your way around the sides of the device. Lift the faceplate off and set it aside.
- 5
  Locate the analog stick in the lower left corner of the PSP. Gently pull up on the analog stick. The top portion should pop right off, leaving the base inside the PSP.
- 6
  Remove the screws holding the analog stick base in place. Remove the analog stick base.
- 7
  Open your replacement analog stick. Insert your replacement base in the socket and replace the screws. Snap the new top portion of the stick onto the base.
- 8
  Replace the faceplate and screws. Insert the battery and test your new analog stick.

Sony PSP