Reassembling Xbox 360

[Sonikku]

What hexagonal Allen wrench do you need for opening an old 360? Every repair guide says you need one for the specialty black screws, but I have yet to see anyone say which size allen wrench size.

edit: disregard, look towards latest post.

 

[RedRooster]

A security T6? Or am I thinking of the controller screws?
It's probably torx on the console as well, they like those goofy screws for some reason.

 

[Zargon]

A security T6? Or am I thinking of the controller screws?
It's probably torx on the console as well, they like those goofy screws for some reason.

they dont strip as easily(the only time this is a good thing.....)

and most people dont have them so it discourages tinkering

 

[novasatori]

What hexagonal Allen wrench do you need for opening an old 360? Every repair guide says you need one for the specialty black screws, but I have yet to see anyone say which size allen wrench size.

http://www.xboxchopshop.com/catalog/man_360_open.php

You will need:

• Torx T10 driver
• Torx T8 driver
• Torx T6 driver (if you open the hard drive unit)
• A strong pointy tool

I just bought a kit from some website for $3 which came with the thing to open the tabs which are a pain in the ass.

 

[purbeast0]

to open the tabs i made a homebrew type of 'key' from a cd spindle top.

it is very easy and works well. you basically just cut out a portion of the spindle to make a little edge that can push into the holes. here is a picture of one...

http://www.biline.ca/X-Box/360/tool_2.jpg

i didn't do it like that though, i simply made one with 1 'point' and used that on all of the tabs. i've had it for a long time, still works fine.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

For the tabs I used to use a 2.5mm headphone connector and a paring knife for the back tabs. I eventually got a metal opening tool for free off some dude and that does the job much faster

 

[zerocool84]

You can go to Home Depot or the like and get a kit with pretty much every one you'll need for a few bucks.

 

[Sonikku]

ok I did all of that and am now stuck at the X clamps and not wanting to damage the MOBO by pulling like a mother buzzer on them with my screwdriver. Any tips?

 

[nboy22]

ok I did all of that and am now stuck at the X clamps and not wanting to damage the MOBO by pulling like a mother buzzer on them with my screwdriver. Any tips?

I will personally put one corner of the motherboard somewhere around my belly button (usually on a belt or something so it doesn't hurt me) and then I grab on two of the edges of the xclamp with a folded paper towel and pull the two edges towards my belly button, this jams the corner of the motherboard into my stomach/belt area and creates enough pressure to pop off the opposite end of the xclamp with a pair of needle nose plyers. First ones are always tough till you get a technique down.

 

[snoturtle]

Use a flat head screwdriver like this
http://www.llamma.com/xbox360/repair/images/x-clamp/xclamp%20029.jpg

Full article here
http://www.llamma.com/xbox360/repair/ring_of_light_x-clamp_fix.htm

 

[Sonikku]

ok, got the Xclamps off finally. Got rid of the old paste on the chips and heatsinks. Now what should I do in fastening the heatsinks back on again? I'm reading from a lot of sources the Xclamps are bad and it's best to put in some new screws and washers, but no one speaks as for the size screws ect. Does anyone know the best approach and what size parts and washer types I need? or should I just try to refasten the xclamp?

 

[purbeast0]

ok, got the Xclamps off finally. Got rid of the old paste on the chips and heatsinks. Now what should I do in fastening the heatsinks back on again? I'm reading from a lot of sources the Xclamps are bad and it's best to put in some new screws and washers, but no one speaks as for the size screws ect. Does anyone know the best approach and what size parts and washer types I need? or should I just try to refasten the xclamp?

um ... there is a link ... in this thread ... that tells you EXACTLY what size screws you need, what washer sizes you need, how many, etc.

 

[Sonikku]

um ... there is a link ... in this thread ... that tells you EXACTLY what size screws you need, what washer sizes you need, how many, etc.

Perhaps I should have been more specific.

Are there any screw/washer solutions that do NOT require the use of power tools and physically drilling holes into my 360? This guide drew my interest http://www.x360me.com/?p=319 but the screw and washer size they used is anyones guess. http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/466179 Was the other place I found that caught my eye as it didn't call for excessive drilling. But there are so many different solutions on the map right now punqturing through all the noise is proving frustrating.

If now I have to go out and get a power drill on top of the thermal paste for the cpu and gpu and hexagonal allen wrench for the screws and hook to get the xclamps off I might better have just said the hell with it and put the cash towards a slim. ;/

 

[snoturtle]

Get M5 10mm screws and 1mm thick nylon and metal washers

Mount the heatsinks to the board before putting it into the frame and not through the frame

Should be able to get that stuff at Homedepot or Lowes

Try to get the flat top ones like this
http://www.amazon.com/Plated-Machin...ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1298722309&sr=1-3
Makes everything sit nicer