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iPod Classic Click Wheel Replacement

iPod Click Wheel Replacement

Tools Required Quantitiy
Opening Tools 2
Anti-Static Strap 1
Plastic Spudger 1
Philips Screwdriver 1
Masking Tape  
Small Container for parts 1

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iPod Click WheelPod Classic Click Wheel Black

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Rear Cover Removal

  1. Turn the iPod off and place it into HOLD.
  2. Wear the anti-static strap that is connected to a ground around one of your arms.
  3. Use one of the plastic prying tools to work around the iPod to create a space between the front and rear cover.
  4. An iPod that has never been opened will take some patience to separate.
  5. Once a space is created, use the second prying tool to keep the catches separated.
  6. Use the prying tools to release the catches between the front and rear cover by pushing inwards and prying outwards, (see Photo 2) on how to apply the force on the prying tool.
  7. There are 11 catches securing the iPod, 4 catches evenly spaced on each side, 2 on the bottom and 1 securing the top (see Photo 3 for the locations of the catches). All catches need to be released before the rear cover can be removed. Once one side of the cover has been released, work on the other side of the iPod.
  8. Be careful of ribbon cables that are attached to the rear cover. They are for the  battery  and stereo plug attached on the rear cover.
  9. Once all catches are released, gently lift the rear cover slightly to expose the  battery  cable
(***Do not open the rear cover fully).
  1. Carefully lift the ZIF connector latch to disconnect the  battery  that is attached to the rear cover.
  2. Now that the  battery  is disconnected, place the rear cover to the left of the iPod.

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Removing the Rear Cover from the iPod Main Body

  1. While holding down on the iPod, gently flip the Hard Drive over, laying it on its back.
  2. Now use the plastic spudger to release the ZIF connector for the stereo plug.
  3. Pull the cable out from the ZIF connector for the stereo plug and the rear cover is detached from the main body of the iPod.

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Removing the Hard Drive from the iPod Main Body

  1. Lift the hard drive up slightly, so that the hard drive cable is not under tension.
  2. Use the plastic spudger to release the latch on the ZIF connector for the Hard Drive.
  3. Remove the cable from the Main Board using caution as there may be adhesive on the cable.
  4. Place the Hard Drive on the table.
  5. Remove the HDD cable from the Hard Drive by unlatching the ZIF connector, so that the cable can be reused.
  6. Remove the 2 “C” rubber cushions from the bottom of the iPod and place them to the side.

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How to Remove the LCD Screen from an iPod

  1. Lay the iPod face down and use a prying tool to release latch on the LCD ZIF connector.
  2. Use a small prying tool instead of the plastic spudger, the gap between the latch and the metal frame is too small.
  3. Use Caution to prevent damage to the ZIF connecting point when opening it.
  4. Use the spudger to remove the cable from the opened ZIF connector.
  5. Use caution when removing the cable as there may be adhesive hold the cable down on the metal frame.
  6. Hold the LCD screen with your fingers and slowly slide it out from the metal frame.

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Steps to Remove the Main Board from an iPod

  1. Using the plastic spudger, carefully work around the main board to lift it from the metal frame.
  2. The main board is adhered to the frame with contact adhesive.
  3. Lift the main board slowly to prevent it from being damaged during removal.
  4. Once the main board is loose, use your finger to peel the grounding tape from the metal frame.
  5. Grounding tape 1 is connected to the click wheel cable.
  6. Grounding tape 2 is on the side of the main board near to the LCD screen.
  7. Place the metal frame aside once the main board is removed.

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Steps to Remove the Click Wheel from the Main Board

  1. Use your spudger to release the ZIF connector for the click wheel cable.
  2. Use the spudger to go underneath the click wheel cable to slowly lift it.
  3. Use caution while removing, as the cable is secured to the main board with a contact adhesive.
  4. Remove the click wheel ribbon cable from the ZIF connector.
  5. Place the main board to the side.

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Steps to Remove the Click Wheel Cover (*Skip this section if replacing the entire click wheel)

  1. To remove the click wheel cover use the plastic spudger  to separate the cover and click wheel.
  2. Take note of the orientation of the click wheel and cable for reassembly later.
  3. Lift the click wheel ribbon cable slowly at one corner and slowly work around it.
  4. Work until the click wheel ribbon cable and the cover can be separated.
  5. Set the click wheel cover to the side.
  6. Use sparing amounts of electrical cleaner on a cotton swab clean the contact cement from the ribbon cable.
  7. Ensure all the cement is removed before assembling a new click wheel cover.

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How to install a New Click Wheel

Steps to Install a New Click Wheel Cover (*Skip this section if replacing the entire click wheel)
  1. Remove the protective film of adhesive tape on the new click wheel cover.
  2. Ensure that the ‘menu’ on the click wheel cover is upright and the ZIF connecting point of the ribbon cable is on the left side of the “menu” before sticking them together.
  3. Press the two pieces together to ensure a secure bond.

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Steps to attach a New Click Wheel to the Main Board of an iPod

  1. Ensure the ZIF connector of the click wheel on the main board is unlocked.
  2. Hold only the edges of the Main board with one hand and slide the cable of the click wheel into the ZIF connector on the main board.
  3. Latch the ZIF connector after the white line on the cable flush with ZIF connector.
  4. Fold the click wheel at the bending white line on the cable over to the other side of the main board.

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Steps to attach the Main Board to the Metal frame of an iPod

  1. Hold only the edges of the main board and place it onto the metal frame.
  2. Align the main board to the alignment pins on the metal frame
  3. Compress the main board only at the edges onto the metal frame and the adhesive on the frame will hold the main board in place.
  4. Paste the 2 ground straps of the click wheel ribbon cable and the main board onto the frame of the main board.

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LCD Installation

  1. Hold the new LCD screen with one hand and the metal frame (with the iPod main board still attached) with the other.
  2. Ensure the ZIF connector on the iPod main board is open.
  3. Do not remove the protective film on the new LCD screen yet to prevent scratches duringinstallation.
  4. Slide the LCD screen carefully through the metal frame and use your thumb to guide the LCD cable into the ZIF connector on the iPod main board.
  5. The white line on the LCD cable must be aligned with the ZIF connector on the main board.
  6. With the plastic spudger , carefully latch the ZIF connector to secure the cable in place.
  7. Turn the iPod over to ensure that the LCD screen sits correctly within the frame.
  8. Remove the protective film at this time

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Installing a New Hard Drive

  1. Ensure that 3 x (blue) HDD rubber cushions around the new hard drive are properly installed.
  2. Place the HDD laying flat on the table with its ZIF connector facing up.
  3. The full length cushion should be on the right side of the HDD
  4. The two smaller pieces of cushion should be on the left side of the HDD flush at the end of the HDD.
  5. There must be a small gap between the two smaller cushions to provide space for the stereo plug ribbon cable.
  6. Ensure the ZIF connecter latch on the HDD is in the unlock position.
  7. Insert the cable into the Hard Drive ZIF connector with the golden contact points facing down and the white line on the cable facing up.
  8. Insert the cable until the white line is flushed with the ZIF connector.
  9. Gently close the ZIF latch with the plastic spudger to lock the cable in place.
  10. Ensure that the HDD ZIF connector on the main board is opened.
  11. Place the hard drive in one hand and use the plastic spudger with other hand to guide the hard drive cable into its ZIF connector.
  12. Slide the hard drive cable gently into the ZIF connector and close the latch.
  13. Place the hard drive onto the table with the cable connected.

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Installing the Rear Cover

  1. Ensure that the 2 “C” rubber cushions are inserted securely at the bottom of the iPod.
  2. Place the rear cover to the left of the front cover with the cables still attached.
  3. Align the stereo plug cable in a way that it can be reattached to the stereo ZIF connector.
  4. Gently slide the cable into the stereo plug ZIF connector.
  5. Once aligned, secure the stereo plug ZIF connector by pressing down the latch.
  6. The depth lines on the cable can verify correct connection of the stereo plug cable.
  7. Lay the hard drive into the bay ensuring that the rubber cushions lay flat into the frame.
  8. Use the plastic spudger to adjust the rubber cushion when necessary.
  9. Lift the rear cover over the iPod main body, but do not close the front and rear cover yet.
  10. At the same time, gently take the  battery  cable, insert it into the vertical ZIF connector, and secure it by pushing down on the ZIF latch.
  11. Gently align the front and rear cover.

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Attaching the Rear Cover

  1. Compress the edges of the front and rear cover to secure the two pieces together.
  2. You will hear and feel the catches latching. As they latch, there should not be any gaps between the two covers.
  3. You are DONE!!!! Lets test it out
  4. Ensure you Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Set it to Hold, then turn it off again.)

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Note: If this is a new Hard Drive, you will need to RESTORE your IPOD using iTunes. See Section 6

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