A thumbstick for a user input device, comprising: a tiltable post coupled to a base and operable to output a control signal based at least in part on a position of the tiltable post relative to a default position, the tiltable post comprising external threads at a distal end, at least one abutment feature located between a cap and a proximal end of the tiltable post, opposite to the distal end; an adjustable tensioning mechanism located in a chamber in the tiltable post and configured to maintain the tiltable post of the thumbstick in a default position, wherein the default position is one in which the thumbstick extends vertically in a centered, non-tilted position; the cap coupled to the base and comprising a cylindrical stem that defines a cavity; and the base coupled to the cap and moveable with the tiltable post, the base comprising: a first cylindrical portion extending into the cavity of the cylindrical stem of the cap; and a second cylindrical portion coaxial with the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion comprising internal threads and an engagement surface, wherein the internal threads mate with the external threads of the tiltable post to fasten the tiltable post to the base, the engagement surface abuts a respective one abutment feature of the tiltable post to prevent displacement of the base relative to the tiltable post; wherein the at least one abutment feature comprised two wings (434, 438) extending radially from the tiltable post and located on opposing sides of the tiltable post; the thumbstick further comprises a control-activation sensor comprising two arms (454, 458) on opposing sides of the tiltable post; the two wings are located closer to the distal end of the tiltable post along an axis of the tiltable post than the two arms and the first wing and the second wing have a width that is less than a width of the gap between the first arm and the second arm, respectively, and are configured to enable first and second wings (434, 438) to pass through the gap between first and second arms (454, 458) when the tiltable post is installed in assembly from beneath.. a tiltable post coupled to a base and operable to output a control signal based at least in part on a position of the tiltable post relative to a default position, the tiltable post comprising external threads at a distal end, at least one abutment feature located between a cap and a proximal end of the tiltable post, opposite to the distal end; operable to output a control signal based at least in part on a position of the tiltable post relative to a default position, the tiltable post comprising external threads at a distal end, at least one abutment feature located between a cap and a proximal end of the tiltable post, opposite to the distal end; an adjustable tensioning mechanism located in a chamber in the tiltable post and configured to maintain the tiltable post of the thumbstick in a default position, wherein the default position is one in which the thumbstick extends vertically in a centered, non-tilted position; the cap coupled to the base and comprising a cylindrical stem that defines a cavity; and the base coupled to the cap and moveable with the tiltable post, the base comprising: a first cylindrical portion extending into the cavity of the cylindrical stem of the cap; and a second cylindrical portion coaxial with the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion comprising internal threads and an engagement surface, wherein the internal threads mate with the external threads of the tiltable post to fasten the tiltable post to the base, the engagement surface abuts a respective one abutment feature of the tiltable post to prevent displacement of the base relative to the tiltable post; a first cylindrical portion extending into the cavity of the cylindrical stem of the cap; and a second cylindrical portion coaxial with the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion comprising internal threads and an engagement surface, wherein the internal threads mate with the external threads of the tiltable post to fasten the tiltable post to the base, the engagement surface abuts a respective one abutment feature of the tiltable post to prevent displacement of the base relative to the tiltable post; wherein the at least one abutment feature comprised two wings (434, 438) extending radially from the tiltable post and located on opposing sides of the tiltable post; the thumbstick further comprises a control-activation sensor comprising two arms (454, 458) on opposing sides of the tiltable post; the two wings are located closer to the distal end of the tiltable post along an axis of the tiltable post than the two arms and the first wing and the second wing have a width that is less than a width of the gap between the first arm and the second arm, respectively, and are configured to enable first and second wings (434, 438) to pass through the gap between first and second arms (454, 458) when the tiltable post is installed in assembly from beneath..