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Installing iPhone 3G Front Panel
The front panel and digitizer can be separated and replaced on the iPhone 3G.
- Author: Luke Soules
- Difficulty: Difficult
Relevant parts
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Edit Step 2 ¶
Remove the metal handle from the suction cup. It's easier and safer to grip the suction cup's base instead of the metal handle.
Be very careful when opening the iPhone so that the cables under the display are not severed.
There is a rubber gasket between the silver front bezel and black display assembly. A bit of force is required in this step to separate the iPhone's display assembly.
Use a small suction cup near the Home button to gently pull up the lower portion of the iPhone's display assembly.
If the display assembly is too damaged to allow the suction cup to adhere, tape with a strong adhesive such as duct tape may be used.

Edit Step 4 ¶
Continue to hold the display assembly with one hand, and use your other hand and a spudger to disconnect the black ribbon cable labeled "1."
Ribbon cable "1" is connected with a plug style connector. The block at the end of the cable is the plug which is simply pushed into a socket on the circuit board. No other locking mechanism is used.

Edit Step 6 ¶
Ribbon cable "3" is held in place by a FPC style connector. You must unlock this connector before sliding the ribbon cable out. The locking mechanism is on the opposite side of where the cable is inserted - it swivels upwards 90 degrees. Use a plastic spudger to lift the locking mechanism.
The FPC locking latch is very delicate and is typically a different color than the body of the connector. (see the detail image of FPC connector open and closed)
Slide the ribbon cable out of the connector, and remove the display assembly from the iPhone.
It's impossible to properly reinsert a ribbon into an FPC connector unless the lock is disengaged. Make sure the locking latch is open when attaching/detaching the cable.

Edit Step 14 ¶
Be careful when using a heat gun in the forthcoming steps. Use it at a very low heat setting, and make sure not to melt the touch screen plastics or Home button.
If the glass has shattered at the top or bottom be especially patient and gentle when removing fragments. In extreme cases you may have to pick off any glass shards that remain glued to the plastics.
Using a heat gun or hairdryer, heat the top left area of the touch screen.
Use your fingernails to slowly lift up the left corner. The touch screen plastics are held to the touch screen with adhesive. It may take some work to free the corners.
If it seems like too much force is being applied to lift the touch screen plastics, try using the heat gun again.
Heat and repeat for the right side.

Edit Step 17 ¶
Place custom fit adhesive strips or double stick tape on the open areas of the touch screen plastics. Lift the custom adhesives straight off the backing paper and apply.
Once attached, remove the outside covering to expose the second adhesive layer. This layer is very thin and may take some patience to remove. Similarly, if you used double stick tape, make sure to peel off its outside layer before attaching the glass.
When reattaching the plastics to the glass, make sure the "#2" cable is routed as shown in the second picture.
Reattach the plastic frame to the glass. Pinch each corner for 60 seconds to allow the tape time to bond the two surfaces.
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