Tutorial: Change Out Your Broken iPod Screen ( w/ Pictures)

[Ferrari22]

Please give me all feedback! Thanks.

Start out by opening it up like in my tutorial, found at:
http://forums.ipodlounge.com/showth...threadid=93789.

Before I start, I once again must say:
I am not responsible for any damages that you cause to your iPod.

This is a difficult process.



To start off, make sure your iPod is off and on hold, especially if you don't want to destroy it .

Disconnect the hard drive. Gently pull the hard drive away from the connector.


Next, gently lift up and disconnect the two halves by disconnecting the audio jack cable. be sure not to yank the whole thing up, work around the sides of the connector, and it should disconnect properly.
http://photos23.flickr.com/25953711_e14ea9446d_b.jpg

It is not neccesary to remove the hard drive connector. I only did to show where the 6th screw is.
Remove all 6 * screws. The screws holding the logic board in place require a Torx T-6 screwdriver head. I found a small set of "Husky" torx screw drivers ranging from T-4 up to T-15 in Home Depot, near, but not in the tool section. They were hanging on a wall just outside the tool section. The clerk in the tool section initially didn't think they had one that small (and they don't in the tool section), but remembered this kit hanging on the wall. There are interchangeable heads and the extra ones fit inside the barrel of the screwdriver. They work well.
http://photos22.flickr.com/25954263_6028c3ed03_o.jpg

Next, unhook the small ribbon that connects the touch wheel piece to the logic board by gently pulling out away from the ipod, not up or down. Do not be afriad to lift the logic board a little in order to do this properly. Use of a plastic tweezers, much like that contained in a hospital suture removal kit, works well in gently pulling back on the touchwheel ribbon cable.
http://photos21.flickr.com/25954595_09748f7a9d_o.jpg

You are now ready to change the screen. Get as close as you can to the connector and pull the screen away from the logic board. Next, use the plastic tweezers to seat the new screen connector.
http://photos22.flickr.com/25956666_de7571a6aa_b.jpg

You are now ready to put the iPod back together. Fold the screen over so it is on the right side, and seat it properly in the front casing. Make sure the screw holes line up. Plug the small ribbon back in that connects the front to the logic board using the tweezers and your fingers. To finish it off, reconnect the iPod back by just pressing the audio jack into place. Follow my closing procedure on my other post.
http://photos23.flickr.com/25957053_ab680a492e_b.jpg

There ya have it! I hope I could be of some help! If I left anything out or you have any question, please give me a shout. My email and AIM are in my signature. Tell me the outcome, and good luck!

Tutorial By:
Sniper22 @ iLounge
Ferrari22 @ iPod Wizard
Ferrari22 @ iPod Hacks
MGritts22 @ Flickr (My Gallery's Location)

[WildBill]

Cool, yeah I've had some friends who've tried it and ened up buying a whole new iPod, and others who had great luck with this. I ain't gonna risk it, but if you're willing, this tutorial makes the process pretty clear for anyoen who wants to have a go at it.

[Theipodmodman]

this is really starting to annony me! coz i've tried opening my ipod with a guitar plec so i can put some red sellaphane infront of the screen - but every time i try it justs leaves my ipod with loads of scratches! why the hell could they just put screws in it so you can take it apart easily :dry:

[Nadin]

Originally Posted by Theipodmodman

why the hell could they just put screws in it so you can take it apart easily :dry:

In "perfect" it would happen. And nice tutoiral, I would open mine up to do it but I have a 5g and don't want to screw it up so soon. :tongue:

[Theipodmodman]

ok ... maybe im retarded or something but what do you mean by 'In "perfect" it would happen' ?? it really confused me, anywayz - could someone suggest any other ways of opening my ipod without scratching it to $hit! :tongue: thanks,

-Modman

[roadkill9191]

buy the tool

should work better

[Theipodmodman]

if you hadn't already noticed... im not into 'buying' stuff - im a bit of a cheapskate, i mean like today i saw a guy walking down the street and he dropped £1 - instead of sayin to him, 'you dropped this' i just nicked it and spent it on some sweets :tongue: , anyhting i can do for free i will! :dry:

[dyjungle]

may i just tell you, that i freaking love this forum. you guys are so good with the advice and information. thank you WiBu and others who make this possible!!

[optotronic]

Thank you for the great instructions and pictures!

Something you didn't mention is that the ribbon cable connector for the screen has a black lever that runs the entire length of the connector. If you lift the connector, the ribbon cable should come out and go in much more easily. I did not lift the lever before removing the old screen, and it was a pain. I lifted it before putting the new one in, and it went in much easier.

This page, which has much less explicit directions for replacing the screen, mentions the black "tab" on the "side" of the connector:
http://www.mobilepartstore.com/Merch...=GEN4TAKEAPART

I don't know if the instructions were made from a different generation iPod or what, but in my case -- a 4th generation iPod -- the black "tab" ran the full length of the connector. The arrow in the above picture makes it look like it's at one end.

Thanks again for the great instructions!