Google Stadia Controller Thumbstick Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          15 - 40 minutes

Sections

Google Stadia Controller Opening Procedure
13 steps
Thumbsticks
2 steps

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Introduction

Although you don’t need special tools to open the Google Stadia controller, the opening process is difficult and requires a lot of force. The case of the controller is held together by super tight plastic clamps which require a tool solid enough to withstand the pressure it takes to pry them open. Take your time and try not to get frustrated during the opening procedure—otherwise you’re likely to scratch or otherwise damage your controller.

What you need

Step 1

              Loosen the screw cover adhesive

Apply a heated iOpener to the rear side of the Stadia controller where the screw cover is located to loosen the adhesive underneath. Apply the iOpener for at least two minutes.

Apply a heated iOpener to the rear side of the Stadia controller where the screw cover is located to loosen the adhesive underneath. Apply the iOpener for at least two minutes.

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Step 2

              Insert an opening pick

Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap between the plastic screw cover and the rear case of the controller.

Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap between the plastic screw cover and the rear case of the controller.

Step 3

              Remove the screw cover

Slide the opening pick along the screw cover to slice the adhesive.
Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the screw cover.
You might want to replace the screw cover adhesive during reassembly. Apply a bit of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (>90%) to a Q-tip or use a cleaning pad to gently remove the leftover adhesive on the rear cover of the controller before installing new adhesive.

Slide the opening pick along the screw cover to slice the adhesive.

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the screw cover.

You might want to replace the screw cover adhesive during reassembly. Apply a bit of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (>90%) to a Q-tip or use a cleaning pad to gently remove the leftover adhesive on the rear cover of the controller before installing new adhesive.

Step 4

              Unfasten the rear case screw

Use a Torx T8 screwdriver to remove the 9.6 mm-long screw securing the rear case.

Use a Torx T8 screwdriver to remove the 9.6 mm-long screw securing the rear case.

Step 5

              Disassembly information

The front cover assembly of the Stadia controller is held in place by various tight plastic clamps. They are very hard to open and snap back in place easily.
The opening procedure requires some force, however, try to avoid damaging your controller case along the way.

The front cover assembly of the Stadia controller is held in place by various tight plastic clamps. They are very hard to open and snap back in place easily.

The opening procedure requires some force, however, try to avoid damaging your controller case along the way.

Step 6

              Pry open the stadia controller

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the inside of the left controller handle.
To make sure you insert the Jimmy at the correct position where the clamps are located, you can use this photo.
Tilt the Jimmy upwards and push it into the gap between the covers at the same time to pry open the plastic clamp. You should hear a clack noise once the clamp pops open.
Once the clamp is completely open, the gap between the two controller covers should be about 2-3 mm wide.

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the inside of the left controller handle.

To make sure you insert the Jimmy at the correct position where the clamps are located, you can use this photo.

Tilt the Jimmy upwards and push it into the gap between the covers at the same time to pry open the plastic clamp. You should hear a clack noise once the clamp pops open.

Once the clamp is completely open, the gap between the two controller covers should be about 2-3 mm wide.

Step 7

              Insert an opening pick

Insert an opening pick in a steep angle into the gap you created to prevent the first clamp from popping back into its closed position.

Insert an opening pick in a steep angle into the gap you created to prevent the first clamp from popping back into its closed position.

Step 8

              Pry open the Stadia controller

To make sure you insert the Jimmy at the correct position where the clamps are located, you can use this photo.
Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the outside of the left bottom end of the controller handle.
Repeat the previous opening procedure to open the three plastic clamps at the outside of the left controller handle.

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the outside of the left bottom end of the controller handle.

Repeat the previous opening procedure to open the three plastic clamps at the outside of the left controller handle.

Step 9

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly between the left shoulder button and the charging port at the top edge of the Stadia controller.
Tilt the Jimmy upwards and push it into the gap between the covers at the same time to pry open the plastic clamp. You should hear a clack noise once the clamp pops open.
Repeat the previous procedure at the clamp between the right shoulder button and the charging port.

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly between the left shoulder button and the charging port at the top edge of the Stadia controller.

Repeat the previous procedure at the clamp between the right shoulder button and the charging port.

Step 10

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the right edge of the right controller handle.
Repeat the previous opening procedure to open the three plastic clamps at the outside of the right controller handle.

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the right edge of the right controller handle.

Repeat the previous opening procedure to open the three plastic clamps at the outside of the right controller handle.

Step 11

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the inside of the right controller handle.
Repeat the previous opening procedure to open plastic clamps at the inside of the left controller handle.

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the inside of the right controller handle.

Repeat the previous opening procedure to open plastic clamps at the inside of the left controller handle.

Step 12

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the bottom edge of the Stadia controller right to the headphone jack.
Tilt the Jimmy upwards and push it into the gap between the covers at the same time to pry open the plastic clamp.
Repeat the previous procedure at the clamp left to the headphone jack.
Do not try to remove the front cover assembly all the way yet. It’s still connected to the rear cover assembly.

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the front and back cover assembly at the bottom edge of the Stadia controller right to the headphone jack.

Tilt the Jimmy upwards and push it into the gap between the covers at the same time to pry open the plastic clamp.

Repeat the previous procedure at the clamp left to the headphone jack.

Do not try to remove the front cover assembly all the way yet. It’s still connected to the rear cover assembly.

Step 13

              Unfold the front cover assembly

Avoid straining the front cover assembly cable during this step.
Carefully lift the front cover assembly and fold it to the left side of the Google Stadia controller.

Avoid straining the front cover assembly cable during this step.

Carefully lift the front cover assembly and fold it to the left side of the Google Stadia controller.

Step 14

              Remove the right thumbstick

Use your fingers to remove the right thumbstick by pulling it upwards and off the right joystick.

Use your fingers to remove the right thumbstick by pulling it upwards and off the right joystick.

Step 15

              Remove the left thumbstick

Use your fingers to remove the left thumbstick by pulling it upwards and off the left joystick.

Use your fingers to remove the left thumbstick by pulling it upwards and off the left joystick.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.

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Author

                    Dominik Schnabelrauch

Member since: 11/23/2016

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What you need

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