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This is a guide on how to replace the hinge/midframe of the Nintendo 3DS XL. A broken hinge on the 3DS XL can lead to more damage to the midframe if left broken. This leads to the device not closing properly or feeling uncomfortable to use. Thus, it is necessary to replace the midframe when it becomes too damaged. The process of replacing this part is a bit difficult and has a lot of small steps, so a guide is needed to lead people through the process. This guide will show you every step in the process of disassembling a 3DS XL properly, since a few of the parts are a bit delicate. The replacement does not need any prior knowledge on technology to do. The process does require patience and carefulness.
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Flip the 3DS XL upside down.
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Remove the two 4.2 mm screws from the back cover using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
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Use an opening tool to pry the cover loose and lift the back cover.
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Use an opening tool to remove the battery.
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Remove the six 6.2 mm screws from the back cover using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
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Remove the single 2.3 mm screw from the back cover using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
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Use your hands to carefully remove the back cover at an angle, while keeping it connected to the top edge with caution regarding the ribbons.
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crwdns2935267:0crwdne2935267:0Tweezers$4.99
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Use a pair of tweezers to carefully detach both of the ribbon cables connected to the back cover.
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Remove the two 7.5 mm screws from the white plate.
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Use your fingers to lift it off the space carefully.
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Use a pair of tweezers to remove the small plastic circle from the opened space.
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Use your fingers to carefully disconnect the small green rectangle (network board).
If anybody is wondering what this green rectangle is, it's the WiFi-board.
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Remove the ten 3 mm screws from the motherboard with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
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On the bottom right corner, remove the small plastic piece using a pair of tweezers.
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On the bottom left corner, remove the small plastic piece using a pair of tweezers.
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With caution yet with slight force, use a pair of tweezers to pull and disconnect the ribbon cable from the latch on the top right corner.
Actually, there are tiny hinges you can flip up to release the ribbon cables. Source: putting mine back together.
+1 those flat ribbon connectors have flip tabs to secure/release the ribbon in the connector. Pulling out the ribbon without first flipping the tab up can cause damage to the connector and/or the ribbon cable. Recommended to flip the tab up before pulling out and with tab flipped up the force required to pull out the ribbon cable is much less.
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With caution yet with slight force, use a pair of tweezers to pull and disconnect the second ribbon cable from the latch on the top right corner.
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With caution yet with slight force, use your hands to lift the screen and the green motherboard from the frame.
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With caution yet with slight force, use a pair of tweezers to pull and disconnect the ribbon cable at the hinge from the latch.
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Use your fingers to disconnect the green rectangle (network board) from the small green cable.
UMC receptacles can be tricky sometimes ( I have lifted the receptacle off a PCB before while trying to disconnect the coaxial (UMC) cable ). I now use tweezers to hold down the side fins (ground fins) of the receptacle on the PCB while pulling the cable at a slight angle to ensure that I do not accidentally lift the receptacle. If you accidentally pull off the receptacle it will require reworking to replace the connector.
That said, if you are careful (and the cable head isn't glued into the receptacle - rare but can happen) you can often disconnect the cable without issue with just your fingers.
There is a special tool made for safely disconnecting those cable/receptacle pairs.
https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detai... ("TOOL UMC EXTRACTION KEY" - DigiKey Part Number J984-ND)
The tool pushes the cable head up off of the receptacle using the receptacle/PCB as a fulcrum. -
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Flip the 3DS XL right side up and open it.
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Use a pair of tweezers to remove the small rubber squares from each corner of the front screen.
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Remove the four 4.3 mm screws from the top screen using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
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Use your hands to remove the top cover by pushing the cover horizontally away from the hinges, as to not break any plastic hooks.
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Flip the 3DS XL upside down and find the top left hinge.
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In the small opening, use a small opening tool to push the small white plastic piece down towards the other hinge.
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Use a pair of tweezers to remove the small black plastic piece covering the hinge.
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Use a pair of tweezers to remove the small clear plastic piece from the hinge.
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At this point you can remove the bottom frame from the left hinge using your hands.
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At the top right hinge, use your hands to carefully slide the ribbon cables through a small gap next to the hinge to remove them from the bottom frame.
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Use your fingers to remove all buttons and rubber covers from the old frame and place them into the new frame.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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the photos leave a lot to be desired as I can't even see the small part that you take off to access the hinge itself unfortunately and now I am stuck with a completely taken apart 3ds lx that does not work without taking off the hinge.
I've found a video on YouTube that goes over hinge replacements. I'm also trying to fix and replace my 3DS shell and I've used this as a tutorial.
https://youtu.be/ulwjPQ_Ntro?si=zTl-Gxgw...
Also when looking up 3DS replacements and tutorials read the comments! People go over a lot of support and their own personal experiences and tips.
I was wanging it violently last night but when i read this a brown tear ran down my leg :)
why do you need to share this
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