iPod 3rd Generation Front Panel Replacement

Before opening your iPod, ensure that the hold switch is in the locked position. The orange bar should be visible, indicating hold is active.

Insert an opening pick as far as possible into the seam between the plastic front and the metal rear panel, on the right edge of the iPod.

Use the opening pick to pry up against the plastic front panel and release five retaining tabs (seen in the third photo).

Slide the pick along the edge of the iPod and continue prying to release the rest of the retaining tabs.

After all five tabs along the right side are free, the case should open easily.

Open the case like a book with the dock connector at the top, and lay the rear panel next to the front half of the iPod.

Use a plastic tool or your fingernails to carefully disconnect the orange headphone jack cable. Be sure to pull straight up on the connector, not the cable itself.

Lift up the hard drive with one hand and carefully disconnect the hard drive ribbon from the logic board.

Lift the hard drive out of the iPod.

Carefully disconnect the white battery connector from the logic board. Be sure to pull only on the connector itself and not on the cables.

Use a spudger to carefully disconnect the orange touch wheel cable from the logic board.

Remove the 6 black T6 Torx screws securing the logic board to the front panel.

Lift the logic board out of the iPod.

Use a spudger to carefully disconnect the orange display ribbon from the front panel.

Lift the display panel out of the iPod.

Lift the battery out of the iPod.

Use a spudger to carefully disconnect the orange display ribbon from the front panel.

Front panel remains.