Need advice on fixing my fightstick

I have a Madcatz 360 TE that has been through some hard times since I got it way back in 2008 or 2009. I believe the stick itself is broken. It doesn’t feel smooth anymore, and there is a piece inside sliding back and forth when I lift the stick and tilt it one way or the other. What’s the best course of action? Have someone repair it? Repair it myself? Don’t really know anything about these things, but was wondering how hard it would be just to by another Sanwa ball top and/or gate and swap it out? Thoughts? I don’t know anyone in the Kansas City area fighting game scene or if anyone even repairs or mods here, otherwise I’d just go that route. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Just take it apart, clean it and relube it with Shin-Etsu G-40M or Molykote 44.
If there anything actually broken you will see it.

Youtube is your friend

  1. @iNVOKE …Watch this video
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1dj-4W7V9Q
  2. Use a 3mm Hex wrench to remove the screws holding down the cp.
  3. Lift the top panel carefully to expose the underside.
  4. Use a slotted (“flat head”) screwdriver to apply pressure to the slot on the bottom of the JLF shaft (to prevent it from spinning in the next step)
  5. Unscrew and remove the balltop (apply counter-clockwise pressure to balltop to unscrew)
  6. Disconnect the joystick wire harness (take note of connector orientation before disconnect).
  7. Remove the four screws holding the JLF mounting plate to the sheet-metal control panel
  8. Remove the JLF joystick assembly.
  9. Follow the steps in the video linked above to disassemble the joystick and then inspect/clean/lubricate/troubleshoot (as needed).