>>296410504
Like I said, the controllers have a 100% failure rate because the thumbsticks literally just break if you use them more than 100 hours. 
It's mostly left controllers - It's the 'pushing forward constantly' action that breaks them. you know, when running forwards. I turn around in real life in games so the right stick is barely used. 

>>296410670
Yes I have a backup pair. I wouldn't recommend it now though since they're doing advanced RMAs all the time, but normal RMA can take a month. 

>>296410779
I agree. My recommendation for index users is to take the velcro strap that comes with the cable and use it as stress relief since it has some give to it. Or construct some kind of elasticated pull system that distributes stress.

In my cable failure I couldn't actually locate a failiure point. When it starts to fail it gets fuzzier and you get more pops. Near the end of its life I fumbled around to see what part of it was the most sensitive to being bent, and couldn't isolate an area where fiddling made it better. Temperature also appeared to have an effect - in warmer weather it was worse, but this might be complete coincidence. I'd have to warm the cable with a hair dryer or something to test this. 

>>296410824
The answer is the potentiometer, it was pulled apart and there's just a small plastic part that wears away. A stick that wouldn't wear like this would cost $2 more.