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Repair information and guides for the fifth generation of iPhone. Model: A1387

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Volume Button Spacer lost

I have lost one of the two tiny black round spacers that sit between the volume buttons and the "dimple" mechanism that is the core of the buttons. Without the spacer, the button does not function. Can ifixit supply a replacement spacer? What about a replacement from another source?

Update: I pulled this photo from the ifixit Headphone Jack and Volume Control Cable instructions (excellent step-by-step by the way). The up and down volume "dimples" are on the far left end of the cable. The spacers I seek are the two little black dots visible on the center of these dimples. They appear to be held in place by some adhesive and friction. One of mine just lost some of its stickiness before vanishing.

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My HJ & VC cable is in otherwise fine condition, and I want to avoid a 36 step replacement of it, and the risk to all the other components I would have to manipulate, just for that little missing dot.

Final Update: I have answered my own question. I decided to try using a small drop of epoxy in place of the missing black dot. Of course, I let the epoxy completely harden before reassembling the button. I put the epoxy onto the back of the metal volume button, instead of on top of the dimple, since the dimple has a flexible plastic covering. It took two attempts, but the second attempt works very well. On my first attempt, I put the epoxy right in the center of the volume button. This didn't work because the dimple unit is not centered behind the button, so the epoxy dot was not in the center of the dimple. I knocked off the epoxy and tried again. I eyeballed the actual position of the center of the dimple on the back of the button, put the epoxy there, and it works fine now.

Answer this question I have this problem too

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3 Answers

Take a look at his link, [linked product missing or disabled: IF115-013]

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You are correct that replacement of the Headphone Jack and Volume Control Cable would fix this problem. However, I am attempting to avoid that complicated procedure for such a minor problem. These tiny black dots are a critical component in making the button work, but there is nothing wrong with any other components. I only have a missing dot. The risk and expense for this repair is much lower if I can find a suitable replacement for the dot, rather than replace that entire cable.

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It seems you need to replace the volume flex cable.

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Hi mate I think these is what you are after no need to change the flex like suggested sure that still wouldn't even fix ur problem

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This appears to be what I am looking for. I can't tell how big these disks are, and this photo implies that they attach to the bottom of the button instead of the top of the dimple, but this sounds like what I need. Where can I get these?

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You can get them on ebay.. But if you are saying that one of the black dots is missing off the centre of the flex then a new flex would be wise it's not an expensive part will fix you problem 100%..

A picture of your flex would be a great help 2

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Buying the $2 part would have saved your all the bother of that lol

You solution might work for a while but your back at square 1 when it breaks again a new part would probobly last the life of the phone.

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wallace will be eternally grateful.
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