Introduction
Use this guide to replace the plastic button covers and the rubber button contacts on any DualShock 3 controller.
Step 1 Rear Cover
Remove the five 7.2 mm Phillips screws securing the rear cover to the controller.
Step 2
Push the center of the rear cover (between the two analog sticks) and slightly lift the lower edge of it away from the rest of the controller.
Step 3
Push the rear cover slightly toward the top edge of the controller to clear the front edge of the #2 triggers.
Pull the rear cover away from the rest of the controller, being careful not to pop off the #2 triggers.
If you happen to accidentally pop off the trigger buttons, we have a trigger button guide to reattach them.
Step 4 Battery
Lift the battery off the motherboard for enough clearance to access the battery connector.
Step 5
Carefully pull the battery connector away from its socket on the motherboard.
It may be helpful to use a pair of tweezers or pliers to grab the battery connector when you disconnect it for the first time.
Step 6 Motherboard Assembly
Remove the single 7.2 mm Phillips screw securing the motherboard to the front cover.
Step 7
Slide the trigger button retainers slightly away from the front cover.
Remove the #1 button on both sides.
Step 8
Pull the vibration motor retainers away from the front cover to dislodge the motherboard assembly.
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Step 9
Remove the motherboard assembly from the front cover.
When removing the motherboard assembly, try not to tilt the front cover upside down as the buttons and their covers may fall out.
Step 10 Buttons
Lift the rubber button contacts off the front controller cover to access the plastic button covers.
Lift any damaged plastic button covers out of the controller cover.
Step 11
The D-pad has a three-armed plastic piece that must be installed as shown before installing the rubber button pad for it to work properly.
Author
Andrew Bookholt
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