Fix Your Stuff Join the Community Store

iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement

Introduction

The plastic front half of your iPod case.

What you need

  1. iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement, Rear Panel: step 1, image 1 of 1

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

    Edit

  2. iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    • You may need to rock the pick back and forth to slide it in farther.

    • 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 easily open.

    Edit

  3. iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • The iPod case is now open, but don't separate the two halves just yet. There is still an orange ribbon cable connecting the headphone jack to the logic board.

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

    Edit

  4. iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • 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.

    • This ribbon cable is very fragile. If you are replacing the battery, you can choose to skip this step and keep the headphone jack connected to the motherboard. Prop and tape the rear case against a box to keep it in place. Be very careful not to strain the fragile headphone jack cable as you work.

    Edit

  5. iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement, Hard Drive: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Grasp the hard drive with one hand and carefully disconnect the orange ribbon cable from the hard drive using your other hand.

    • If the cable doesn't come free easily, it may be helpful to gently wiggle the cable from side to side.

    Edit

  6. iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement, Hard Drive Cable: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Peel up the black adhesive strip covering the hard drive ribbon cable.

    Edit

  8. iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Use the tip of your finger or a spudger to carefully flip up the black connector securing the hard drive cable to the logic board. Note that the black retaining clip flips 90 degrees toward vertical, in the direction of the cable.

    Edit

  9. iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Pull the orange hard drive cable directly out of its connector.

    Edit

  10. iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement, Logic Board: step 9, image 1 of 1

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

    Edit

  11. iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Use a spudger to flip up the black retaining bars securing the display and click wheel connectors to the logic board.

    • If you have an iPod Photo, the display connector (to the right of the picture) is located more centrally on the logic board.

    Edit

  12. iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1

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

    • If you have an iPod Photo, there will only be 5 screws, as there is no screw in the top right corner of the iPod.

    Edit

  13. iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 1

    • Slide the orange click wheel ribbon cable out of its connector. You must unlock this connector before sliding the ribbon cable out. The locking mechanism is on the opposite side of where the cable is inserted - it swivels upwards 90 degrees. Use a plastic spudger to lift the locking mechanism.

    Edit

  14. iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Carefully lift up the large end of the logic board and disconnect the display connector.

    • Lift the logic board out of the iPod.

    Edit

  15. iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement, Display: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the display panel out of the iPod. There may be some mild adhesive connecting the display to the front panel.

    Edit

  16. iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement, Front Panel: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • Use a spudger to pry the battery off the front panel.

    • Lift the battery up and out of the iPod.

    Edit

  17. iPod 4th Generation or Photo Front Panel Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • Front panel remains.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

25 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 2 other contributors

iRobot

Member since: 09/24/09

1 Reputation

636 Guides authored

Badges: 36

+33 more badges

0 Comments

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 2

Past 7 Days: 18

Past 30 Days: 58

All Time: 30,330