Installing Nintendo 3DS D-pad

Nintendo 3DS D-pad replacement.

http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/KTDxLnSj3meVO5XA David Hodson Difficult Nintendo 3DS

Replace the D-pad on your 3DS to get full movement capabilities back.

Tools

Tweezers Plastic Opening Tools Spudger Phillips 00 Screwdriver Installing Nintendo 3DS Back Cover Installing Nintendo 3DS Battery Installing Nintendo 3DS Lower Case Installing Nintendo 3DS Circle Pad Joystick Installing Nintendo 3DS SD Board Installing Nintendo 3DS Wi-Fi Board Installing Nintendo 3DS Motherboard Assembly Unscrew the four Phillips screws along the top of the back cover. Unscrew the four Phillips screws along the top of the back cover. The screws are held in place by locking washers, and will not come out of the back cover. The screws are held in place by locking washers, and will not come out of the back cover. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/ITwcDRVYSfefXdaR Hold the device in one hand and turn it over. Hold the device in one hand and turn it over. Grab the top edge of the back cover with your opposite hand so that the cover does not fall back into place. Grab the top edge of the back cover with your opposite hand so that the cover does not fall back into place. Flip the 3DS over again so that the back cover is facing up. Flip the 3DS over again so that the back cover is facing up. Pull the back cover up and away from the rest of the device to remove it. Pull the back cover up and away from the rest of the device to remove it. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/WujDe4xE4eI3tHJg http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/jc1ysoaDZCIw2TEj Insert a plastic opening tool into the notch in the lower case above the battery. Insert a plastic opening tool into the notch in the lower case above the battery. Pry the battery up with the plastic opening tool. Pry the battery up with the plastic opening tool. Grab the top edge of the battery and lift it out of the lower case. Grab the top edge of the battery and lift it out of the lower case. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/dpUdpUimvCFfqOw1 http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/lnBikT41fiBvcLcS http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/veZLHretTgIkbLcI Remove the nine 6.3 mm black Phillips screws from the lower case. Remove the nine 6.3 mm black Phillips screws from the lower case. Remove the 2.4 mm silver Phillips screw above the game cartridge slot. Remove the 2.4 mm silver Phillips screw above the game cartridge slot. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/BkJd3OSBpy1Rvikh Lift the bottom edge of the lower case off the rest of the 3DS. Lift the bottom edge of the lower case off the rest of the 3DS. There are still two ribbon cables connecting the mother board to the case, so be sure not to pull the lower case all the way off. There are still two ribbon cables connecting the mother board to the case, so be sure not to pull the lower case all the way off. Use a plastic opening tool to pry the shoulder button ribbon cables off their sockets on the motherboard. Use a plastic opening tool to pry the shoulder button ribbon cables off their sockets on the motherboard. Remove the lower case from the device. Remove the lower case from the device. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/S3qgP6SxRRPY5IxB http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/HILuUcmesyZeEmtm http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/jwM1ceschy1xdwE3 Remove the two 7.7 mm Phillips screws securing the back of the Circle Pad to the motherboard. Remove the two 7.7 mm Phillips screws securing the back of the Circle Pad to the motherboard. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/WciIxkCGqqeSwjDE Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the back of the Circle Pad off the motherboard. Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the back of the Circle Pad off the motherboard. Lift the Circle Pad joystick off the motherboard and lay it on its back so that the ribbon cable connector is accessible. Lift the Circle Pad joystick off the motherboard and lay it on its back so that the ribbon cable connector is accessible. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/bMBnFDhOIiWPDfD6 http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/E4TVtF3ttsxMSdVm http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/X2gZcTXBxZmTrD5t Use the flat end of a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the retaining flap on the Circle Pad ribbon cable ZIF socket. Use the flat end of a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the retaining flap on the Circle Pad ribbon cable ZIF socket. Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself. Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, '''not''' the socket itself. Lift the Circle Pad joystick off the motherboard. Lift the Circle Pad joystick off the motherboard. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/IKPPuB5DIoRiDx2E http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/SLSbhMgUFDj5mMLx http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/aoqcp6SgbWFZPOht To decrease the chance of losing it during repairs, you may want to remove the two thin pads underneath the Circle Pad joystick. To decrease the chance of losing it during repairs, you may want to remove the two thin pads underneath the Circle Pad joystick. Use a spudger or screwdriver to lift the pads up and remove them from the device. Use a spudger or screwdriver to lift the pads up and remove them from the device. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/avCvIWYWgJyNbmBI http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/pYrbGImK2u45deHC Remove the two 4.5 mm Phillips screws securing the SD board to the motherboard. Remove the two 4.5 mm Phillips screws securing the SD board to the motherboard. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/KjtBrbEaOGvLPWcX Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the SD board ribbon cable connector off its socket on the motherboard. Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the SD board ribbon cable connector off its socket on the motherboard. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/UF24JkJiQnIFyP6B http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/auwosXvOBdHtWtKv Insert the flat end of a spudger between the SD board and the motherboard. Insert the flat end of a spudger between the SD board and the motherboard. Run the spudger along the sides of the SD board to free it from the adhesive pad holding it in place. Run the spudger along the sides of the SD board to free it from the adhesive pad holding it in place. Once completely freed, lift the SD board straight off the motherboard. Once completely freed, lift the SD board straight off the motherboard. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/dqVaYcHR1MgDcmdV http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/2VMuJYwG2iUrEsLA http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/jtGmtOcX1IDoOXDA Slide the flat end of a spudger under the corner of the Wi-Fi board, and lift it away from the motherboard. Slide the flat end of a spudger under the corner of the Wi-Fi board, and lift it away from the motherboard. The Wi-Fi antenna cable is still connected to the Wi-Fi board, so you cannot completely remove the Wi-Fi board yet. The Wi-Fi antenna cable is still connected to the Wi-Fi board, so you cannot completely remove the Wi-Fi board yet. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/jBrYqTnBuAuWfLxA http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/VovJlB5sgUp3CMYO Lift the Wi-Fi board off the motherboard and rotate it so that the bottom side is facing up. Lift the Wi-Fi board off the motherboard and rotate it so that the bottom side is facing up. Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the Wi-Fi antenna cable connector off its socket on the Wi-Fi board. Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the Wi-Fi antenna cable connector off its socket on the Wi-Fi board. Remove the Wi-Fi board from the device. Remove the Wi-Fi board from the device. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/SraCcIwGIBJJAuAp http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/LY3YrJcYkPo5gP6C http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/EAUNvpGX54AVCRTt Grasp the microphone ribbon cable near the microphone with a pair of tweezers. Grasp the microphone ribbon cable near the microphone with a pair of tweezers. Pull the microphone straight up out of the upper case. Pull the microphone straight up out of the upper case. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/GvmVFKYnXCf4Ad2y http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/LZS3t4NaRFTpclGb Use the flat end of a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the retaining flap on the speaker assembly ribbon cable ZIF socket. Use the flat end of a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the retaining flap on the speaker assembly ribbon cable ZIF socket. Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself. Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, '''not''' the socket itself. Disconnect the speaker assembly ribbon cable with a pair of tweezers. Disconnect the speaker assembly ribbon cable with a pair of tweezers. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/25ZFGvrIiHhJpHNJ http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/i4evTtTHPCBFDRMB http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/yNVXTtRLBpMiK2pb Use the flat end of a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the retaining flap on the camera ribbon cable ZIF socket. Use the flat end of a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the retaining flap on the camera ribbon cable ZIF socket. Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself. Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, '''not''' the socket itself. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/yOUm6AVnsyNl2Kxx http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/c2ae6fi3IwlqKoxX Remove seven Phillips screws securing the motherboard to the upper case: Remove seven Phillips screws securing the motherboard to the upper case: Four 2.5 mm gold screws Four 2.5 mm gold screws Two 3.5 mm black screws Two 3.5 mm black screws One 2.5 mm silver screw One 2.5 mm silver screw Lift the side of the motherboard that sits along the bottom edge of the 3DS. Lift the side of the motherboard that sits along the bottom edge of the 3DS. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/EmLwpIWMHAUXlKcg http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/IXUQYqG1gyvxYgwe http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/1kuDOCEI4UjfOZIM Continue lifting the motherboard assembly and rotate it until it is resting next to the rest of the device. Continue lifting the motherboard assembly and rotate it until it is resting next to the rest of the device. Use the flat end of a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the retaining flap on the LCD ribbon cable ZIF socket. Use the flat end of a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the retaining flap on the LCD ribbon cable ZIF socket. Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself. Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, '''not''' the socket itself. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/mvScsefxXqHAGBLm http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/oGpw5HroZQgNsU1M http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/5MMDGphdb1IVdyhn Remove the motherboard assembly from the rest of the device. Remove the motherboard assembly from the rest of the device. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/Ql2QL1iOEaeAbBlw Peel the black silicone cover off the back of the D-pad. Peel the black silicone cover off the back of the D-pad. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/KTDxLnSj3meVO5XA Open the 3DS and orient it so that the bottoms of the buttons are facing upward. Open the 3DS and orient it so that the bottoms of the buttons are facing upward. Use your finger to push the D-pad through its hole in the upper case. Use your finger to push the D-pad through its hole in the upper case. Remove the D-pad. Remove the D-pad. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/tuHAdnECdnVCGbFH http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/lhTTJsQXXInfiBRF

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.