Fixing a 3GS myself

Vonhelmet · 20 Aug 2012 at 13:24

So, my trusty 3GS has taken a knock and the screen has a big crack in it, and the battery is getting pretty tired. I can pick up a new digitiser and tools for under £10 on ebay, and a replacement battery for about the same. If I were to pay someone to do these jobs I'd be looking at close to £100.

How tricky is it to take one apart and fix it and get it back together again?

ltnmzh · 20 Aug 2012 at 13:26

should be easy. check out some of the videos on youtube. you may need some soft tools.

randal · 20 Aug 2012 at 13:26

Easy enough chap, I've managed several 3GS repairs doing exactly what you're planning.

Make sure you've got plenty of guitar plectrums for prising the screen up, and just work slowly and gently. In my experience the hardest bit is prising the screen off the chassis, and then separating the metal frame work from the digitiser. The rest is a doddle.

The iFixit guides are invaluable, study them well and you'll have no problem.

ltnmzh · 20 Aug 2012 at 13:33

goto some of the online bay site. you can find some phone repairing plastic screw driver thingy.

Marky · 20 Aug 2012 at 13:36

Yeah it's pretty easy

iFixit.com makes it very easy to open it up and fix it yourself

stealthgeek · 20 Aug 2012 at 15:23

Make sure to pick up a decent (read, 'more expensive') digitizer, I applied too much pressure on my cheapo one when fitting and, it too, smashed... :/

Diggsy · 20 Aug 2012 at 15:44

DON'T try to prise the screen up with plectrums or similar, that's the iPod touch method. For the 3gs all you need is a decent suction cup. As above, follow the excellent guide on iFixit and you won't go far wrong. Getting the screen to lift up is an obsolute doddle, just make sure to lift it from the bottom and hold the top to stop the cables tearing.

Vonhelmet · 20 Aug 2012 at 16:11

stealthgeek said:
Make sure to pick up a decent (read, 'more expensive') digitizer, I applied too much pressure on my cheapo one when fitting and, it too, smashed... :/

Any recommendations for how much I should be looking to spend? I have seen them at all sorts of prices.

Diggsy · 20 Aug 2012 at 16:21

I've used the seller 'Angry Pear LTD' several times now and not had any problems. Always delivers really fast too

Vonhelmet · 20 Aug 2012 at 21:07

Diggsy said:
I've used the seller 'Angry Pear LTD' several times now and not had any problems. Always delivers really fast too

Good stuff, I was already watching one of their auctions for a digitiser. I've found a battery from them as well. Should cost me under £10 for the two sets of parts, and then it's just my blood, sweat and tears to get the fixing done :eek: