I have a Joystick, it's a Speed link Black widow. I love it, my only problem is that by now all of the axes are full of spikes, I have tu set filtering to pretty high, but the controls now are sluggish. Is it possible to heal those spikes anyhow? maybe by reinforcing the wiring inside? I have no clue about electrics, that's why I need your advice. Thanks in advance!

PS: I've found out that if I turn it upside down, move it around, and hit the bottom gently 3-4 times it helps for a while...

The spikes are caused by bad carbon tracks inside the sticks potentiometers. Often there is carbon inside too that cae loose causing additional problems. Don't ever use contact spray sprayed into the potentiometer to try to solve this. It will worsen the problem. The only thing that will really solve it is replacing the potentiometers inside the stick by some high-quality ones with the same value. This can be a lot of work and requires some skill with (dis)assembly and soldering. From your experience with the pat on the bottom I would say there's a lot of carbon that came loose from the resistor tracks. A sign of a low-quality component. I would go for a new stick like the Saitek evo or aviator myself.

Thanks for your reply! So that's it? new stick? The Saitek Aviator seems very good. You think it wouln't have the same problems, or at least not after a year of usage?

I say if you're going to have to replace the stick you might as well try to change the pots out, if it works you have your stick back, if not, you're getting a new stick anyway. Do some research and you should be able to give it the old college try.

talk to someone in your local electronics shop, they will have a solution (came in form of pray, forgot the name) which is used for cleaning pots, not contact spray!