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Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement

Introduction

Replacing the kickstand is one of the simplest things to fix in a Surface 3. However, you will still need to take off the display and remove the battery to fully access the parts to replace.

What you need

  1. Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement, Casing: step 1, image 1 of 2 Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement, Casing: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Warm up an iOpener following the instructions found in the iOpener guide.

    • Place the warm iOpener on top of the edges of the screen. This heat will weaken the strength of the adhesive between the display and body.

    Edit

  2. Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Use iFixit opening picks to wedge under the edge of the screen at the speaker port.

    • This may take significant force. A fingernail might work better for the initial lift

    • If you push straight down near the edge you will go through the speaker mesh and possibly end up damaging your speaker; try to push the pick in at a shallow angle.

    Edit

  3. Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Carefully try to work your way around the device using the picks, reapplications of the heated iOpener, and luck.

    • If you break the glass on one side you might want to try again starting from the other side so that you have a clean, unbroken, edge on that side.

    • While the glass on this display is not particularly sharp when broken, it is still broken glass and you should be careful with it.

    Edit

  4. Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Flip the display over so that parts underneath it are easily accessible.

    • Do not pull out the display as it is still attached to the motherboard.

    • If you are replacing the display, or want it out of the way, continue with the display replacement guide steps.

    Edit

  6. Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement, Battery: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Now that you've gotten the casing off of the Surface 3, you can start removing the battery pack.

    Edit

  7. Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 3 Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 3 Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Plastic Cards
    $2.99
    Buy

    • Slide the iFixit plastic cards under the compartments of the battery pack.

    • Slide the card around to undo the adhesive under the battery pack

    Edit

  8. Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 3 Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 3 Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Carefully slide the battery's flat power and data connector from its insert.

    • You may now switch out the battery pack for a new one.

    Edit

  9. Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement, Kickstand: step 8, image 1 of 2 Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement, Kickstand: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Remove these four 3/32" Torx #3 screws.

    • If you do not need to remove the hinges, skip to the step that handles the retaining tabs.

    Edit

  10. Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Remove these four 3/16" Torx #5 screws that hold in the hinges to replace the hinges.

    Edit

  11. Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 Microsoft Surface 3 Kickstand Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • These two retaining tabs need to be fed through the slots in the case to release the kickstand.

    • Use picks to make the tab slide through the slot then simply pull out the kickstand,

    Edit
Conclusion

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

4 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 1 other contributor

Harold Hall

Member since: 10/08/15

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3 Guides authored

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Team

Cal Poly, Team 5-12, Maness Fall 2015 Member of Cal Poly, Team 5-12, Maness Fall 2015

CPSU-MANESS-F15S5G12

4 Members

18 Guides authored

2 Comments

I think I will NOT be trying to do this. To many potentials for something to go wrong beyond your control, even when being extra careful. I do not feel like replacing someone’s device if that happens.

QuickTech - Reply

Please can you tell me which kickstand the surface pro 3 64 GB (2013) needs? Is it the same as the surface pro 4 ? I have broken the stand and am trying yo source a replacement.

Tilly Mortimore - Reply

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