HTC Thunderbolt 4G - Disassemble Guide TTT-9007 Small Phillips Screwdriver TTT-9010 Plastic Opening Tools TTT-9013 Spudger Heat Gun / Blow Dryer This guide will show you how to disassemble the HTC Thunderbolt 4G, assisting in making the repair of the device both simple and inexpensive. Following the steps we have provided should help you quickly, and safely, replace not only a broken display, but also any other internal components that may have become damaged. You can find a full archive of fixez.com disassemble guides and videos, for numerous makes and models of phones and tablets, by visiting http://www.fixez.com. Page 1 of 9
Step 1 Battery To begin disassembling the HTC Thunderbolt 4G, remove the back cover. Insert the plastic opening tool into the notch in the front cover of the phone. Pry at this point to release the clips and remove the back cover from the Thunderbolt 4G. With the back cover removed, the battery is easily accessible. Use the plastic opening tool to lift and remove the battery from the HTC Thunderbolt 4G. With the battery and rear cover removed, the SIM and MicroSD cards are easily accessible. Remove both cards from the Thunderbolt. The rear section of the case is secured by six small Phillips screws (#00), locate and remove these screws with the appropriate screwdriver. Step 2 Step 3 SIM & MicroSD Card Page 2 of 9
Step 4 The plastic cover on the bottom front portion of the phone needs to be removed. Using the plastic opening tool, gently pry up the plastic cover to pop it out of its location in the HTC Thunderbolt 4G. There are two Phillips screws (#00) behind the plastic cover on the front of the phone. Use the appropriate screwdriver to remove these screws. Next, the back portion of the phone s case needs to be removed. The first thing you will need to do is use the plastic opening tool to separate the back case from the body of the Thunderbolt. Step 5 Step 6 Page 3 of 9
Step 7 There are still two Phillips screws (#00) remaining that secure the rear portion of the phone s case, locate and remove these screws with the appropriate screwdriver. The rear portion of the phone s case has clips around the entire perimeter of the phone. Use the plastic opening tool to release these clips and remove the rear portion from the Thunderbolt 4G. The speaker assembly is secured to the rear portion of the phone s case with a small amount of adhesive. Use the spudger to gently pry the speaker assembly out of its housing in the rear portion of the case. Step 8 Step 9 Speaker Assembly Page 4 of 9
Step 10 There is a ribbon cable secured in a locking socket on the bottom of the phone. Use the spudger to lift the lock on the socket and release the ribbon cable. When the ribbon cable is released, remove the ribbon cable from its socket. The motherboard and display assembly need to be opened like a book. You cannot separate them completely because there are two ribbon cables still securing them together. The LCD & touch screen ribbon cables are secured in locking sockets. Use the spudger to lift the locks on these sockets and release the ribbon cables. When the two ribbon cables are released, separate the motherboard from the display assembly. Step 11 Step 12 Page 5 of 9
Step 13 Front-Facing Camera There is a piece of tape covering the connections for the front-facing camera and the rear-facing camera. Peel back and remove this tape so you can access these connections. The front-facing camera is secured in a locking socket. Use the spudger to release the frontfacing camera s lock and remove its ribbon cable from the motherboard. You can now remove the front-facing camera from the HTC Thunderbolt 4G. The rear-facing camera is secured in a locking socket. Use the spudger to release the rear-facing camera s lock and remove its ribbon cable from the motherboard. You can now remove the rear-facing camera from the HTC Thunderbolt 4G. Step 14 Step 15 Rear-Facing Camera Page 6 of 9
Step 16 Camera Flash The camera flash is secured by a plugged connection in the motherboard. Use the spudger to gently pry up this piece and then remove it from the HTC Thunderbolt. Now, turn your attention to the display assembly. The earpiece speaker is secured in its housing with a small amount of adhesive. Use the spudger to pry up the earpiece speaker and remove it from the phone. The touch screen needs to be separated from the display assembly s plastic frame. Use the heat gun/blow drier to heat the adhesive around the perimeter of the touch screen. This will soften the connection between them. Step 17 Earpiece Speaker Step 18 Touch Screen Page 7 of 9
Step 19 Use the plastic opening tool, a little force, and patience to separate the touch screen from the LCD and frame. Start in one corner of the assembly and continue around the Thunderbolt until the touch screen is separated from the LCD. Do not completely remove the touch screen from the phone because there is still a ribbon cable routed under the LCD. This cable needs to be lifted and detached before complete separation. Step 20 LCD Use the spudger to gently pry at the seam between the display assembly s frame and the LCD. Separate the LCD from the display assembly s frame. Be careful! The LCD is fragile and, if it is not already cracked, you risk damaging it if you are too forceful. You can now remove the LCD and touch screen from the HTC Thunderbolt 4G. With the LCD and touch screen removed from the Thunderbolt, you can now peel the ribbon cable from the back of the LCD and separate the LCD and touch screen from each other. Step 21 Page 8 of 9
Step 22 Use the spudger to peel the home button s light assembly out of its securing adhesive, and then lift and remove the light assembly from the display assembly s frame. Final Layout To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order. Notice/Warning: FIXEZ.COM DOES NOT ACCEPT ANY LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE, OR INJURY CAUSED, WHILE YOU ARE FOLLOWING OUR DISASSEMBLE GUIDES. WE MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. UTILIZING THESE GUIDES TO HELP ASSIST YOU IN REPAIRING YOUR MOBILE DEVICES WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY. FIXEZ.COM STRICTLY PROHIBITS ALTERING OR MODIFYING OUR DISASSEMBLE GUIDES FOR COMMERCIAL USE, REPRODUCTION, OR PUBLICATION. Page 9 of 9