IFIXIT iRobot iPod Classic Click Wheel Button Replacement Installation Guide

: June 1, 2024
: IFIXIT

Table of Contents

IFIXIT iRobot iPod Classic Click Wheel Button Replacement
Specifications
Product Usage Instructions
INTRODUCTION
INSTALLATION
FAQ
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

IFIXIT iRobot iPod Classic Click Wheel Button Replacement

Specifications

Product: i Pod Classic Click Wheel Button
Manufacturer: Apple
Tools Required: 1.5 Thin Putty Knife, iFixit Opening Tool, Metal Spudger, Phillips #00 Screwdriver, Spudger
Parts Included: iPod Classic Click Wheel Button

Product Usage Instructions

Step 1: Hard Drive
Before starting the replacement process, make sure your iPod is turned off and the hold switch is in the locked position.

Step 2: Opening the iPod
Opening the iPod can be challenging. Use caution and follow these steps:

Insert a plastic opening tool into the seam between the front and back of the iPod.
Leave some space and insert another plastic opening tool.
Carefully insert a putty knife at an angle into the seam between the two opening tools.

Step 3: Removing Rear Panel
Follow these steps to remove the rear panel:

Pivot the putty knife vertically after clearing the lip of the rear panel.
Wiggle the putty knife straight down to disengage the metal tabs.

Step 4: Final Steps
Complete the replacement process with these final steps:

Remove and reinsert the putty knife closer to the corner of the iPod.
Near the headphone jack, insert a plastic opening tool carefully.
Insert a metal spudger near the centre of the display to finalise the opening.

INTRODUCTION

The button in the click wheel.

TOOLS:
1.5″ Thin Putty Knife (1) iFixit Opening Tool (1) Metal Spudger (1) Phillips #00 Screwdriver (1) Spudger (1)

PARTS:
iPod Classic Click Wheel Button (1)

INSTALLATION

Step 1 — Hard Drive

INFO: Apple designed their new iPods to be very difficult to take apart without destroying major components. Because of the metal faceplate, the metal backing, and the 13 (yes, 13) metal clips holding the case together, this is one of the toughest iPods to disassemble.
WARNING: Proceed with caution and the warning that you may significantly damage your iPod beyond its present condition. Also, you may want a few extra pairs of plastic opening tools during installation, as they are easy to ruin when opening the iPod. Have fun!
INFO: Before opening your iPod, ensure that the hold switch is in the locked position.

Step 2

INFO: Opening this iPod is challenging. Don’t get discouraged if it takes you a few tries before the iPod is opened. One thing to notice is the angle of the plastic opening tool’s tip while inserting it into the iPod. Ideally, the angle should be as vertical as possible while still clearing the edge of the rear panel.

Insert a plastic opening tool into the seam between the front and back of the iPod.

Step 3

Insert another plastic opening tool into the seam between the front and back of the iPod, leaving at least 1.5 inches of space between the two tools.

Step 4

At an angle, carefully insert a putty knife about 1/8 inch into the seam between the two opening tools.
WARNING: Thin metal rails are running along the inside of the rear panel, so take great care when inserting the putty knife.
Once the putty knife has cleared the lip of the rear panel, pivot the putty knife so that it is vertical, and carefully (but firmly) wiggle it straight down into the gap between the opening tools.

Step 5

Push with your fingers on the rear panel behind the putty knife to minimize bending. Slowly flex the putty knife, as shown in the picture, to ensure that most of the metal tabs on this side of the iPod are disengaged.
INFO: The theory behind this method is, rather than attempting to not bend the rear panel at all, to bend it in a favourable manner that allows you to easily restore it later. Therefore, any bend in the sides of the rear panel should be drawing the lip of the rear panel away from the iPod, rather than pushing out on the curved surface. This method also disengages as many of the side clips as possible.

Step 6

Remove the putty knife from the iPod and reinsert it closer to the corner of the iPod, using the same wiggle method as before.
WARNING: If at all possible, do not bend the corner of the rear panel.

Step 7

Near the headphone jack, insert a plastic opening tool into the seam between the front and back of the iPod.
INFO: You may find it easier to carefully flex the putty knife downward to create more of a gap for the opening tool, but be sure not to bend the corner of the rear panel!

Step 8

Near the centre of the display, carefully insert a metal spudger into the gap created by the plastic opening tool.
WARNING: It is easy to create a noticeable bump in the rear panel here that is difficult to repair. When prying the tab free, try to have the metal spudger pivot on the edge of the rear panel rather than bending the rear panel outward.
Using the metal spudger, disengage the single clip on the top of the iPod.

Step 9

Near the other top corner, insert a plastic opening tool into the seam between the front and back of the iPod

Step 10

On the other side, insert a plastic opening tool into the seam between the front and back of the iPod.
INFO: You may find it easier to angle the opening tool stuck in the top corner to create a sufficient gap.

Step 11

Remove the opening tool from the top corner and insert it into the seam between the front and back of the iPod, leaving at least 1.5 inches of space between the two tools (as done on the other side).

Step 12

At an angle, carefully insert a putty knife about 1/8 inch into the seam between the two opening tools.
WARNING: Again, thin metal rails are running along the inside of the rear panel, so take great care when inserting the putty knife.
Once the putty knife has cleared the lip of the rear panel, angle the putty knife so that it is vertical, and carefully (but firmly) wiggle it straight down into the iPod via the gap between the plastic opening tools.
Push with your fingers on the rear panel behind the putty knife to minimize bending. Ever so slightly flex the putty knife to ensure that most of the metal tabs on this side of the iPod are disengaged.

Step 13

INFO: The metal clips near the corners are notorious for tenaciously gripping the front panel. It is necessary to disengage these clips in order to open the iPod.
Carefully insert a metal spudger into the area near the stubborn metal clip.

Step 14: Gently wiggle the metal spudger down so that it is in the rear panel.

Step 15

Gently begin to disengage the clip from the front panel.
WARNING: It is easy to create a noticeable bump in the rear panel here that is difficult to repair. When prying the tab free, try to have the metal spudger pivot on the edge of the rear panel rather than bending the rear panel outward.

Continue to push up on the front panel with the metal spudger until the metal clip releases.

Step 17

WARNING: There are two ribbon cables connecting the rear panel to the rest of the iPod. In the following step, be careful not to damage these ribbon cables.
Grasp the front panel assembly with one hand and the rear panel with the other.

INFO: Take a deep breath!
Gently (GENTLY) disengage the remaining clips on the rear panel by pulling the tops of the front and rear panels away from each other (think of the bottom of the iPod as a hinge), taking great care not to damage the ribbon cables holding the two halves together.

Step 18

Use a spudger to slide up the connector holding the orange battery ribbon in place. You only need to lift the locking bar up about 2 mm to free the cable.
Slide the orange battery ribbon out of its connector.

Step 19
Place the rear panel next to the iPod, being careful not to strain the orange headphone jack cable.

Step 20

Lift the hard drive up with one hand so you can access the headphone jack ribbon beneath.
Use a spudger to flip up the plastic tab holding the headphone jack ribbon in place. The tab will rotate up 90 degrees, releasing the ribbon cable.
Slide the orange headphone jack ribbon out of its connector.
The rear panel is now free from the iPod.

Step 21

Now to repair the damage caused by liberating the internal parts of the iPod Classic! It is highly likely that at least one of the metal clips in the lower case has been bent upward. These clips must all be pointing downward in order to reinstall the rear panel.

Step 22

Take the broad, flat side of the metal spudger and push the clip down, taking care not to tear the thin metal rail from the rear panel.
WARNING: Be careful not to damage any of the headphone jack parts while shaping these clips!

Step 23

On a clean, hard surface, lay the rear panel on its side. Carefully but firmly push down on it, rolling the entire lip side back into its proper spot.
INFO: It may be necessary to do this multiple times to achieve optimal straightness on the sides. It is better to have the edges of the case pushed in slightly too far rather than not far enough, because the reseating of the front panel will bend the rear panel into its correct alignment.
INFO: Now that the rear panel is back in beautiful condition, you can move on to repairing the iPod!

Step 24

Rotate the hard drive out of the framework and place it so that the connector is facing up.
Use a spudger to flip up the small black locking tab holding the orange hard drive ribbon in place. The tab will rotate up 90 degrees, releasing the ribbon cable.

Step 25

Slide the orange hard drive ribbon cable directly out of its connector.
If you are replacing the hard drive in your iPod and it did not come with the rubber mounting brackets and foam padding, transfer these items from your old drive to the replacement drive.

Step 26 — Click Wheel Button

Remove the three Phillips screws securing the front panel to the metal framework.

Step 27

Rotate the iPod 180 degrees and remove the three Phillips screws securing the front panel to the metal framework on the other side.

Step 28

Carefully work around the edges of the iPod to separate the front panel from the gray metal framework.
INFO: You may meet some resistance, as there is a mild adhesive used to help hold the two pieces together.

Step 29

Lift the framework (including the attached screen, logic board, and click wheel) away from the front panel.
INFO: Make sure that the click wheel button is in place before reinstalling the framework in the front panel.

Step 30

Remove the click-wheel button from the iPod.

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

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it necessary to use all the recommended tools for replacing the click-wheel button?
- A: While using all recommended tools can make the process easier, you may be able to substitute some tools with caution and careful handling.
Q: What should I do if I encounter difficulties during the disassembly process?
- A: If you face challenges during disassembly, take a break, reassess the steps, and proceed slowly to avoid damaging your iPod.