Fixing a classic controller d-pad?

[S1500]

So I was enjoying emulated games on the Wii, and had to use the Wii Classic controller.

 

The right direction on the d-pad is really flakey. I hold it dowh, and it stops responding after a while. I do a rapid tap left to test, and it's 100% responsive. I do it on the right, and it's getting only half the # of taps.

 

It even sounds different when I tap it.

 

This controller has very little mileage on it. What should I be looking at if I pop it open to give 'er a fix?

 

Also I must remind myself to disconnect the GameCube controller & try it again fresh. I'm wondering if the system having three D-pads as input on the system is messing things up on emulators. Discovered the issue when I was playing SNES Doom where I couldn't rotate right continually(it stopped after a second), where I can do that left-direction just fine.

 

At least I can still enjoy older systems that have fewer buttons.

[TPA5]

I've heard that dust from the d-pad rubber can gum up the contacts. I would start with cleaning the contacts for the d-pad with isopropyl alcohol, then taking a look at the rubber itself for the d-pad. It should be in good condition, without any cracks, tearing, etc.