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Tips for disconnecting stubborn molexes?

R

rof3

Member
I have two molex connectors that are inseperable from each other. I have tried wedging them apart with a flathead screwdriver and using pliers to get a grip, but nothing seems to do the trick. There is about 1-2 millimeters of leeway but I can't move it past that. I'm sure this is a common problem, but I've only built two PC's, both in the past seven months, so I am still learning stuff all the time. If anyone has any good tips I'd really appreciate it.
 
Wow. Usually a flat-bladed screwdriver does the trick. If that didn't work... get a pair of locking vice-grip pliers? Just be careful to not destroy the connector, and don't pull on the wires themselves. Maybe they're just ... inseperable, and you should leave them alone for now?
 
Yeah, I'm on the leave-them-for-now plan. I prefer not to have to go and buy special pliers to seperate them.

I wonder...does plastic contract when it becomes warmer or when it becomes cooler?
 
Get some canned air and invert the can so that the bottom is facing up.

Being careful not to get any liquid on your skin or other important computer parts, spray the connector with a bit of liquid to freeze it, then try to quickly jerk the connector loose. (Unplug the power first, etc).

Good luck!
 
Those power connectors can be a real bitch to unplug from hard drives/etc. I usually use force or try to squeeze the sides, the problem is that you dont get enough grip for the ones really stuck inside their sockets and usually end up yanking the cord hard and hope you dont rip the wires off the connector.

I think it has to do with the fact that they are designed badly and the plugs are usually always way too tight. I'm not sure how much effect the heat generated by the hard drive has on the plastic connectors. But one thing the computer industry definitely needs is more user friendly connectors that dont require you to but way too much force on your motherboard, cables or components. If you really think about it a lot of stuff is just horribly designed if you're constantly taking stuff apart and putting it together.
 
That would be nice...while searching for a solution, I actually saw some (Vantec?) EZ-Grip thingies that you put over/in the regular Molex connectors and make life easier. It's a pity it would probably be too hard to replace the standard... 🙁
 
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