Before opening your iPod, ensure that the hold switch is in the locked position. The slider should be all the way to the right if your iPod is facing you.

Opening the iPod can be challenging. Do not get discouraged if it takes you a few tries before the iPod is opened.

Free the first retainer clip on the bottom of the iPod using the iPod opening tool. The tool's edge should point towards the metal back case to prevent scratching the plastic front.

There are five retaining clips on each side of the iPod. An iPod opening tool will be used to separate the plastic front from the metal back of the iPod.

Insert the iPod opening tool into the left side of the iPod, with the edge of the tool pointing towards the metal back.

Gently enlarge the existing crevice by wiggling the iPod opening tool and moving it to the left.

Continue doing so until the entire side of the iPod is loose.

You can then insert an iPod opening tool near the Hold button. Be very careful while inserting the tool, as the display is very fragile.

Gently glide the iPod opening tool on the top of the display, making sure to free the retaining clips.

The other sides of the iPod should now easily come loose. If they do not, use iPod opening tools on the right side of the iPod in the same way as on the left side of the iPod.

Separate the front of the iPod from the back about an inch (or a couple of centimeters).

The iPod casing is now open, but don't completely separate the two halves just yet. Two ribbon cables are still connecting the back panel to the rest of the iPod.

Use an iPod opening tool to slide up the brown connector holding the orange battery ribbon cable in place. You only need to lift the brown connector up about 1-2mm to free the cable.

Don't lift up too far or you could pull the battery connector out of the logic board.

Make sure to slide the brown connector directly upwards. The connector is frail and will break if it is accidentally shifted to the side. The connector has hooks at the bottom to hold the cable in place. As soon as you break one of the arms you will have problems putting the battery cable back on. If it breaks put the cable in the slot and then push the brown holder in place to keep the cable from slipping out.

Remove the cable from the connector.

You should now have one orange ribbon cable still attaching the front case to the back.

At this point you are able to remove and replace the blue rubber bumpers, or continue with separating the case.

Lift up the hard drive to expose the headphone jack ribbon connector (indicated by the yellow box).

If the hard drive bumpers come loose, make sure to put them back with the notch as shown in the picture.

With the iPod opening tool, gently lift the brown tab of the headphone ribbon cable connector. The tab will rotate up 90 degrees, releasing the ribbon cable.

Using your fingers, pull out the headphone jack ribbon cable.

The front and back of the iPod should now be completely separated.

Be careful not to damage any of the headphone or battery ribbon cables while performing this step.

Insert an iPod opening tool in between the metal case and battery at the location illustrated by the picture.

Gently wiggle the tool while pushing it further in between the battery and back case. The adhesive holding the battery should give, allowing the battery to be removed from the rear panel.

Be very careful when performing this step, since the orange ribbon cables can easily be broken.

Peel off the tape holding the ribbon cables in place.

Remove the two black Phillips screws that are securing the headphone jack to the lower casing.

Remove the following two screws:

• One black Phillips screw securing the hold switch near the corner of the iPod.
• One silver Phillips screw securing the other side of the hold switch.
• Side Note: When reassembling the iPod, a touch of white Elmer's glue on the end of your screwdriver helps hold these little screws on your screwdriver to make it easier to screw them in.

Lift the Hold switch free of its housing on the rear panel.

Slide the headphone jack out of its housing on the rear panel.

Lift the headphone jack and hold switch assembly out of the iPod.

If your replacement headphone jack includes the white plastic hold switch, simply reinstall the headphone jack. If your replacement part does not include the plastic hold switch, follow the next steps to transfer the plastic hold switch to your new headphone jack.

If you're just trying to remove the rear panel, you can skip Steps 15 and 16.

Remove the single Phillips screw nearest to the hold switch. Note: You may find adhesive holding the back of the screw in place.

Lift the plastic portion of the Hold switch away from the orange ribbon cable.

Ensure that the black notch lines up with the gray slider during reassembly of the switch (see picture 2).