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Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement

Introduction

This guide explains how to replace the left hinge of the Beats by Dre Solo3 headphones. The model number of these headphones is A1796. A faulty hinge is one of the leading causes that render these headphones unusable. Although the hinge is a simple component of the headphones, this repair is not for the light-hearted and will definitely take some time and technical skill to complete.

Required special skills:

  • Soldering/desoldering the wires
  • Screwing/unscrewing the screws

Note:

  • Using a plastic or nylon pry tool is highly recommended when taking apart the device to ensure no damages occur.
  • Before beginning, make sure to power off your headphones completely and disconnect from any external power source.
  • Be extremely cautious when working around the wires because if they are nicked or damaged during the repairing process the device will no longer be useable and is a fire hazard.
  • For more information on soldering, refer to this How to Solder and Desolder Connections guide.

What you need

  1. Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement, Left Hinge Replacement: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Use a spudger or opening tool to peel the earpad away from the left earcup.

    • Remove the tape around the earcup.

    • Make sure to do this step gently to avoid damage to the headphones.

    • Using a plastic or nylon prying tool is recommended to avoid damaging the device.

    Edit

  2. Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the three screws from the left earcup.

    • Gently remove the speaker.

    • The speaker is connected to the motherboard by soldered wires so don't pull or yank the speaker off the earcup.

    Edit

  3. Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove two 0.4 mm screws that are holding down the audio jack's circuit board.

    • Use a set of tweezers to gently pull out the audio jack board.

    Edit

  4. Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • Use a soldering iron to desolder the seven wires attached to the audio jack board from the the left ear cup.

    • The two wires coming directly from the speaker to the audio jack do not need to be desoldered.

    Edit

  5. Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Use a prying tool to separate the headphone cover.

    • Gently pry up and around the cover to ensure it comes off without breaking.

    • A plastic or nylon prying tool should be used rather than a screwdriver or metal spudger.

    Edit

  7. Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Now that the outer and inner panels are separated, pull the desoldered wires through the back of the inner panel.

    Edit

  8. Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • To disconnect the three bundled connectors from the circuit board of the outer panel, pull the cables away from the socket in the same direction as the individual wires.

    • Pull evenly on the full width of the cable so that no individual wires are overly strained.

    Edit

  9. Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Gently pull the wires glued to the headband up.

    • You may use a small pry tool to wedge under the wires.

    Edit

  10. Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Pull back the rubber surrounding the left hinge.

    • Use a Phillips #00 to remove two 0.3 mm screws from the left hinge.

    Edit

  11. Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Pull the hinge out from the headband.

    • If the hinge is severely broken, it may come out in several parts.

    Edit

  12. Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Fold the hinge and expose the metal pins holding it in place.

    • Use a set of tweezers to remove one of the metal pins.

    • Keep it for later use.

    Edit

  13. Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 1

    • Separate the hinge from the bracket and remove them from the wires.

    Edit

  14. Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Take your replacement hinge in hand and use tweezers to insert the copper plate it comes with.

    • Push the plate down into the hinge's inner groove.

    • This may require some force.

    Edit

  15. Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 3 Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 3 Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 14, image 3 of 3

    • Feed the wires through the new hinge and bracket.

    • Clip the hinge and bracket together.

    • Fold the hinge and carefully insert its metal pin.

    Edit

  16. Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 Beats Solo 3 Left Hinge Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Insert the hinge into the headband.

    • Pull back the rubber surrounding the hinge.

    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to replace the two 0.3 mm screws that fasten the hinge to the headband.

    • Congratulations you have replaced the hinge! You may cycle back through the steps to complete reassembling.

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

Author

with 4 other contributors

Samuel Moore

Member since: 01/30/23

258 Reputation

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Team

York University, Team M-19, Allen Winter 2023 Member of York University, Team M-19, Allen Winter 2023

YORK-ALLEN-W23SMG19

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1 Guide authored

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