Category: Ipads and Ipods Repair and Service
Contents of this article
- How to remove the case
- How to remove the connections
- How to remove the battery
Apple iPod Classic
DISASSEMBLING PROCEDURE
Apple designed their iPods to be very difficult to take
apart without destroying major components. Because of the metal faceplate, the
metal backing, and the 13 (yes, 13) metal clips holding the case together, this
is one of the toughest Pods to disassemble. Proceed with caution and the
warning that you may significantly damage your iPod beyond its present
condition. Also, you may want a few extra pairs of plastic
opening tools during installation, as they are easy to ruin when opening the iPod. Have fun! Before opening your iPod, ensure that the hold switch is in the locked position.
opening tools during installation, as they are easy to ruin when opening the iPod. Have fun! Before opening your iPod, ensure that the hold switch is in the locked position.
Opening this iPod is challenging. Don't get discouraged
if it takes you a few tries before the iPod is opened. One thing to notice is
the angle of the plastic opening tool's tip while inserting it into the iPod.
Ideally, the angle should be as vertical as possible while still clearing the
edge of the rear panel. Insert a plastic opening tool into the seam between the
front and back of the iPod.
Insert another plastic opening tool into the seam between
the front and back of the iPod, leaving at least 1.5 inches of space between
the two tools.
At an angle, carefully insert a putty knife about 1/8
inch into the seam between the two opening tools. There are thin metal rails
running along the inside of the rear panel, so take great care when inserting
the putty knife.
Once the putty knife has cleared the lip of the rear panel, pivot the putty
knife so that it is vertical, and carefully (but firmly) wiggle it straight
down into the gap between the opening tools.
Push with your fingers on the rear panel behind the putty
knife to minimize bending. Slowly flex the putty knife, as shown in the
picture, to ensure that most of the metal tabs on this side of the iPod are
disengaged. The theory behind this method is, rather than attempting to not
bend the rear panel at all, to bend it in a favorable manner that allows you to
easily restore it later. Therefore, any bend in the sides of the rear panel should
be drawing the lip of the rear panel away from the iPod, rather than pushing
out on the curved surface. This method also disengages as many of the side
clips as possible.
Remove the putty knife from the iPod and reinsert it
closer to the corner of the iPod, using the same wiggle method as before.
If at all possible, do not bend the corner of the rear panel.
Between the lock slider and headphone jack, insert a
plastic opening tool into the seam between the front and back of the iPod. You
may find it easier to carefully flex the putty knife downward in order to
create more of a gap for the opening tool, but be sure not to bend the corner
of the rear panel!
Near the center of the display, carefully insert a metal
spudger into the gap created by the plastic opening tool. It is easy to create
a noticeable bump in the rear panel here that is difficult to repair. When
prying the tab free, try to have the metal spudger pivot on the edge of the
rear panel rather than bending the rear panel outward.
Using the metal spudger, disengage the single clip on the top of the iPod.
Near the other top corner, insert an opening tool into
the seam between he front and back of the iPod
On the other side, insert an opening tool into the seam
between the front and back of the iPod. You may find it easier to angle the
opening tool stuck in the top corner in order to create a sufficient gap.
Remove the plastic opening tool from the top corner and
insert it into the seam between the front and back of the iPod, leaving at least
1.5 inches of space between the two tools (as done on the other side).At an angle, carefully insert a putty knife about 1/8
inch into the seam between the two opening tools. Again, there are thin metal
rails running along the inside of the rear panel, so take great care when
inserting the putty knife. Once the putty knife has cleared the lip of the rear
panel, angle the putty knife so that it is vertical, and carefully (but firmly)
wiggle it straight down into the iPod via the gap between the plastic opening
tools. Push with your fingers on the rear panel behind the putty knife to
minimize bending. Ever so slightly flex the putty knife to ensure that most of
the metal tabs on this side of the iPod are disengaged.
The metal clips near the corners are notorious for
tenaciously gripping the front panel. It is necessary to disengage these clips
in order to open the iPod. Carefully insert a metal spudger into the area near
the stubborn metal clip.
Gently wiggle the metal spudger down so that it is all the
way in the rear panel.
Gently begin to disengage the clip from the front panel.
It is easy to create a noticeable bump in the rear panel here that is difficult
to repair. When prying the tab free, try to have the metal spudger pivot on the
edge of the rear panel rather than bending the rear panel outward
Continue to push up on the front panel with the metal
spudger until the metal clip releases.
There are two ribbon cables connecting the rear panel to
the rest of the iPod. In the following step, be careful not to damage these
ribbon cables. Grasp the front panel assembly with one hand and the rear panel
with the other. Take a deep breath! Gently (GENTLY) disengage the remaining
clips on the rear panel by pulling the tops of the front and rear panels away
from each other (think of the bottom of the iPod as a hinge), taking great care
not to damage the ribbon cables holding the two halves together.
Use a spudger to slide up the connector holding the
orange battery ribbon in place. You only need to lift the locking bar up about
2 mm to free the cable. Slide the orange battery ribbon out of its connector.
Place the rear panel next to the iPod, being careful not
to strain the orange headphone jack cable.
Lift the hard drive up with one hand so you can access
the headphone jack ribbon beneath. Use a spudger to flip up the plastic tab
holding the headphone jack ribbon in place. The tab will rotate up 90 degrees,
releasing the ribbon cable. Slide the orange headphone jack ribbon out of its
connector. The rear panel is now free from the iPod.
Now to repair the damage caused by liberating the
internal parts of the iPod Classic! It is highly likely that at least one of
the metal clips in the lower case has been bent upward. These clips must all be
pointing downward in order to reinstall the rear panel.
Take the broad, flat side of the metal spudger and push
the clip down, taking care not to tear the thin metal rail from the rear panel.
Alternatively a pair of flat pin nosed pliers can be used to reduce risk of slipping
and damaging the headphone jack. Be careful not to damage any of the headphone
jack parts while shaping these clips!
On a clean, hard surface, lay the rear panel on its side.
Carefully but firmly push down on it, rolling the entire lip side back into its
proper spot. It may be necessary to do this multiple times in order to achieve
optimal straightness on the sides. It is better to have the edges of the case
pushed in slightly too far rather than not far enough, because the reseating of
the front panel will bend the rear panel into its correct alignment. Now that
the rear panel is back to a beautiful condition, you can move on to repairing
the iPod!
The battery is attached to the rear panel with adhesive.
Be careful not to tear the orange headphone jack or hold button ribbon cables
when removing the battery. Use a spudger to lift the battery and the attached
orange cable out of the iPod. If you have a 160 GB iPod, the battery will be
thicker than the one pictured.