[{HVY-E}Jinxx]

Unfortunately for you, this is a normal problem with ANY joystick that uses Pots (Potentiometers) also sometimes called Rheostats.

They wear down from metal to ferrite contact. First you'll notice spiking and then finally dead zones. You're first task should be to see if the damage is permanent. You'll have to take your stick apart and then take the Pot apart to visually inspect it. If it looks o.k. you can try to put a very thin coat of electrical lube on it, (Vasiline works in a pinch), and test it for function. If it's really bad, you're going to see scaring on the ferrite, usually located on the small pcb board that the wires attach to. If this is the case, take the entire Pot to your local electronics shop:

Fry's
Radio Shack
etc.

Have them test it for it's resistance value and buy a new one. Then solder it back into the stick.
Viola', you're all better.