Opening the case is a tough and potentially dangerous task. A good amount of force is required to wedge the iPod opening tool in between the case seams. The case may be damaged if this step is not done properly. Make sure not to hurt yourself while opening your iPod.

Insert the small iPod opening tool into the seam in between plastic display panel and the metal back panel. The angled edge should point towards the metal back panel.

Hold the tool in place once it is wedged inside and the two panels are separated.

There are seven interlocking retaining clips on each side of the iPod. The large iPod opening tool will be used to separate the front panel from the metal back of the iPod.

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

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

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

Switch to the other side of the iPod.

Follow the same procedure as in the previous step to release the seven clips holding the panels in place.

Once the panels are separated on this side, the back panel can be separated from the rest of the iPod.

Gently lift the rear panel using your fingers.

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

The gold antenna (third picture) can easily fall out from its housing. Make sure that the antenna is securely in place before closing the iPod.

The battery is glued to the iPod's display, but no screws hold it in place.

Flip the iPod 180 degrees so it matches the orientation in the picture.

Carefully insert the spudger in between the battery and the display. There are routing cables underneath, so make sure you slowly pry the battery loose.

Use a spudger (or your fingernails) to remove the gold antenna. The antenna bends easily, so make sure not to apply too much pressure.

Use the spudger to remove the connector on the left side.

Remove two Phillips screws.

Gently use an iPod opening tool, or spudger, to dislodge the antenna circuit board. The board is held with glue and is very frail.

The small circuit boards are now separated and the orange cable can be peeled from the display.

Use the spudger to remove the black masking tape. This will reveal the top two screws in the picture.

Unscrew the four Phillips screws.

Use a spudger to disconnect the black connector.

Use the spudger to loosen the logic board from multiple sides. It is held in place by glue and the four screws that were removed in the previous step.

Be careful when flipping up the logic board. The headphone jack and docking port are attached to the board.

Gently lift the logic board (and attached components) upward.

The smaller portion of the logic board that resides underneath is very bendable and frail. Make sure not to pull the spudger upward when using it to detach the small board. Use only side-to-side movement.

Slide the spudger under the small portion of the logic board. The board should come loose once the spudger has slid almost all the way to the other side.

The logic board and battery can now be fully separated from the rest of the iPod.

Peel the orange tape up covering the sixteen Phillips screws on the back of the display.

Use a #00 Phillips screwdriver to remove the sixteen screws.

Separate the display from the front panel by gently lifting it.

The display and the front panel should now be completely seperated.

The front panel is held in place by a heat-sensitive glue that bonds the panel to the frame on all four sides.

Use a hair dryer or heat gun to loosen the glue around the perimeter of the front panel.

The front panel will be hot! Use a cloth or rag to avoid burning yourself while holding it.

Wedge the spudger in between the frame and front display in the upper left corner of the iPod, as shown in the first picture.

This action should separate the frame from the front display a bit (as illustrated in the second picture), and allow you to insert the spudger in between display and frame (next step).

Gently insert the spudger in between the frame and front display.

Carefully work around the edge of the front panel to separate the upper portion of the front panel from the black metal framework.