Joystick doesn't work

[Ruger22C]

Sidewinder Precision 2...

Buy one on ebay, old one's sensor died. Works for a while, suddenly stops. Disassemble joystick, check connections - everything tight, plug back in, works for a day. Stops again, disassemble - can't get it to work this time.
Remove the PCB and USB cable from my old stick, put it in this one, works fine! Stops after a day..

What is going on!?

 

[Ruger22C]

Plugged in other PCB, it works again...!?!? But, one of the axis are now completely dead. Left-right does nothing at all.

Note: last time it was 'dead' (not showing in Windows game devices.) and I plugged it in to a different PC, it didn't work on that either.

Any ideas?

 

[Bill Brasky]

You might have better luck in General Hardware. Hope you can fix the problem.