Hardware Replacing analog sticks

[BORTZ]

The rubber pads on my Vita are pretty poor, the person (or monster) who had my Vita before me was incredibly rough on it. Scuffs, scratches and dents all over the frame. Luckily the screen is pristine, I don't know how though.

The left nub stick (the more crucial one) is in slightly worse shape than the right. Its biased towards the right just slightly and the top ring around the rubber pad is actually bent and allows the rubber grip to spill out slightly. Its almost like you can tuck it back in, but theres no lip to hold it in place.

Does anyone have any experience opening up a Vita? Is it worth it? I assume its a device built from the back up, so getting to the stick would require tearing the whole thing down huh?

 

[Foxi4]

There are far easier fixes for this problem.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=ps vita analog&rh=i:aps,ks vita analog

Concave, convex, smooth, with a gripping texture - take your pick, son. The stock analog grip on the PSVita is poor anyways, you might as well improve it with one of those grips.

 

[Ozito]

Here's a great guide from ifixit.com if you still want to replace the stick.
And here you can buy a new complete joystick

It's more fun to crack things open and repair them, you'll have more affection for your vita afterwards.