Hi,
Let me give some “insights” about the potentiometer replacement problem.
Pot resistance is not too important, you can use 10 to 100k. USB controllers don’t use resistance but VOLTAGE VARIATION, more bellow.
Are plenty of good pot around, Alps, Bourns, Spectrol… with ceramic or plastic trail and not carbon layer from cheap models, some rated to 10M cycles - joystick/gamepad industry use 10.000 cycles ones.
So is just matter to replace the pot with better one, wright?
Yes, but… 
Besides the fact that you need a new pot with same physical size, same axis diameter, same D recess position… to avoid mechanical adaptations, the BIG PROBLEM is:
Pot’ used in joystick is different from ordinary pot in one detail - related to above mentioned voltage variation.
Their resistive trail is limited to work in a range typical from 30 do 60 degrees (varies from models), is the called “electric effective angle” or “electric angle” in some pot datasheet.
Example - from datasheet of pot F10KV used in Saitek’s pedals (that can be used in Logitech pedal - if find one):
This pot is made by Polishyne: http://polyshine.sell.everychina.com/sell-rotary-potentiometers.html
Because since USB controllers use voltage variation and not resistance for position reference, joystick pot’ need do this variation in the same range of joysticks movement, in the 30-60 degrees range.
Typically this voltage variation is 0 to 3.3 - 5 volts in joystick USB controllers.
3.3 used is used in cheap circuits (e.g. Saitek) as way to reduce electric noise instead use better components (resistor and condenser that cost 0.0x$ in quantity).
And?
99.9% of potentiometer available in electronic stores has their “electric angle” set for 270 ~300 or more degrees.
So one don’t find “joystick” pot in electronic stores, this issue affect too R/C transmitter, go to R/C models forum and will see people with the same dilemma.
But if replace the pedal with 270 degrees “electric angle” pot, don’t work?
Work, but the voltage will not vary from 0 to 3,3 or 5v, will vary in same proportion of angle reduction and will cause that USB controller resolution - the “infamous” BIT will be reduced in same way, resulting less than in obsolete (8 bits - 256 “steps”) CH USB controller.
Possible solution for this? Yes:
-
Install gears between pot and pedals - complicated to do, backslash…
-
Build a voltage amplifier to increase the pot reading, that in this case is 1,5 volt or less for 3.3 or 5 v. Example (from RC forum).
- Replace pot resistive trail with HALL sensor + Neodimium mangnet - besides DIY skill is trick place the magnet centered with HALL due their high sensitivity, detect 0.00x degrees movement.
https://postimg.org/image/5jw818ljn/
Example: http://foro.gtros.es/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=1195
- Or with “magnet resistance” sensor - require build PCB and some additional components, but is less tricky with magnet placement.
Example in G-940 rudder pot with TLE50x - since this sensor work in digital BUS is only compatible with Arduino+MMJoy2 - this pedal now work standalone.
KMZ41 sensor work in analog BUS and can be wired like a pot.
. A good option, not too cheap like the above but not too expensive: replace the pot with Bi-Tech 6120 HALL sensor - pay attention in "electric angle and don’t get the wrong model. Will be need some change in axis placement, but is wired like a conventional pot.
http://www.digikey.com/catalog/en/partgroup/model-6120/24400
More option? Yes:
. Use all above difficulties as excuse for you BOSS (wife) for buy a “Next Gen” pedal:
VKB T-Rudder (British brakes only, no “Joe brakes”), MFG Crosswind, Slaw Viper.