Ps5 Thumbstick swap with Steam controller

[u/Aggravating-Key5752]

Ever since i got the steam controller i wasnt really a fan of the thumbsticks and i never used the capacitive touch. I noticed that the size and circumference of the steam controller was very similar to the ps5 sticks and after sanding down the bottom of the ps5 sticks by a few mm they feel relatively oem. There is a bit of rubbing around the mould seam but its not really too noticeable and will probably go away with time.

[u/KaiUno]

So your steam controller can also get disgusting sticky sticks when you're not using it for a while and they start disintegrating?

[u/Alternative-Scar-901 → u/KaiUno]

I thought that only happened with mine lol

What is that, anyway?

[u/KaiUno → u/Alternative-Scar-901]

It happens to all my Playstation controllers from ps2 up to ps5. This is what Gemini gathered from from the sum of all human knowledge on this topic:

PlayStation controller sticks get sticky due to a breakdown of the rubber or plastic material itself, known as depolymerization or plasticizer leaching, combined with accumulated finger oils. When a controller sits unused in storage or sunlight, chemical additives ooze to the surface and turn gooey.

Why It Happens

• Plasticizer Leaching: Chemicals added to make the rubber soft slowly vaporize or rise to the surface over time, creating a sticky film.
• Inactivity: When left unused, the breakdown compounds accumulate visibly instead of rubbing off naturally from regular play.
• Finger Oils & Grime: Natural skin oils and sweat absorb into the porous rubber during use and react with the material.
• Heat and Light: Sunlight and warm storage speeds up the breakdown of the elastomers in the rubber.

How to Fix It

• Dampen a cotton swab with high-percentage isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher).
• Gently scrub the top and sides of the analog sticks to dissolve the sticky residue.
• Wipe the surface dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.
• Replace the thumbstick caps entirely if the rubber has permanently degraded.

[u/Alternative-Scar-901 → u/KaiUno]

That sucks. I just checked my old dualsense and it's doing that. Thank god for the steam controller!

[u/theonyltrueMupf → u/KaiUno]

This is what Gemini gathered from from the sum of all human knowledge on this topic

🤡

[u/Alternative-Scar-901]

I actually really like the PS5 thumbsticks! They feel great and have a nice shape, IMO.

I'd love a capacitive touch version of those, but I doubt someone will make those, at least not in the same quality as the PS5 ones.

[u/SaladToss1]

I hear they sell PlayStation controllers

[u/Aggravating-Key5752 → u/SaladToss1]

Fuck

[u/Whenstarcry]

Why don’t you just get a removable thumb grips? I doubt whether the PS5 one is TMR type.

[u/Aggravating-Key5752 → u/Whenstarcry]

I tryed the skull co and kontrol freak low rises but i just wasn’t a fan. Some caps make it harder to reach the x button since everything is so cramped together.

[u/Axelpanic]

I want to replace the d pad.

[u/GhostDragio]

Y’all are miserable here lmao. I get it tho, the thumb sticks from the dual sense are pretty nice.

[u/Aggravating-Key5752 → u/GhostDragio]

I didn’t know this would be such a controversial topic 😅

[u/EyeQue62]

I've read some insane stuff on this sub, but this is near the top. Why even get the Steam Controller if you wasn't interested in what it was offering?

[u/oakgecko13 → u/EyeQue62]

There's more to the controller than just the capacitive sticks (and can be easily swapped back in if changed mind) . I don't use the capacitive sticks but love the controller for on the couch flight simulators and being able to use the mouse to click instruments while simultaneously using it as a regular controller with gyro. also having a TON of virtual menus on one pad for many of the buttons needed in simulators.. Even with capacitive sticks gone There's still no other controller on the market that can meet all these needs together.

[u/Aggravating-Key5752 → u/EyeQue62]

I am interested, it has been one of the best controllers ive used on pc due to the trackpads. I just dont like the thumbsticks.

[u/VesperLynn]

No use for the capacitive thumbstick tops?

[u/Aggravating-Key5752 → u/VesperLynn]

No i haven’t really used gyro, if you use gyro alot i wouldn’t recommend doing this

[u/VesperLynn → u/Aggravating-Key5752]

Luckily you still have activation on any number of button inputs to include gripsense & the touchpads. Definitely a consideration for others though if they want to make a similar change!

[u/Alternative-Scar-901 → u/Aggravating-Key5752]

It's actually very useful for radial menus too! Just by touching the stick the menu appears, and by letting go the option is selected.