Introduction
The logic board is the main component of the device. It has all the major components for the device to function properly: USB ports, WLAN and LAN ports, and router chips. Because of the many functions the logic board performs, it requires a fan and heat sink to prevent it from overheating. This guide requires you to remove many small screws; use the magnetic mat to prevent losing these screws.
Tools
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To detach the small clips from the connectors, place the flat end of the plastic spudger underneath the clip and gently lever it away from the center of the device.
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To detach the large clip from its connector, place the flat end of the spudger on the clip and lever it upward out of the connector.
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Using two fingers, pinch the power supply wire and gently lift it upward. Move it away from the metal plate.
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Next, unscrew the four 3.3mm T8 Torx screws and remove the metal plate.
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Remove the T8 Torx screwdriver head and replace it with the 60 mm extension; then, add the T9 Torx head.
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Loosen, but do not remove the two screws at the bottom of the 1.2-inch wide gap in the middle of the internal structure.
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Using only your fingers, gently compress the internal structure and pull evenly upward to remove it from the white case.
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Eight 10.25 mm T8 Torx screws secure the heat sink to the logic board. Unscrew all eight screws.
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Remove the heat sinks from the logic board.
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Wedge the corner of the plastic spudger under one of the silver antenna clips. Gently lever the tip of the spudger away from the logic board to detach the antenna clip.
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Repeat this for all six clips.
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To release the logic board, unscrew four 5.5 mm T8 Torx screws from the internal structure.
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Remove the logic board from the internal structure.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
2 comments
Nice teardown but where can you buy a replacement logic board?
Hi everyone! Can someone provide a more closer picture of the 2 connectors that goes to the fan and to led. I accidentally broke those 2 small connectors and i was trying to solder them back. A more closer picture of the zone would help me a lot.
The black cover is about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick and is held in with pressure points. Might be good to use two spudgers or thin, flat screwdriver tips.
John Vitali -
When putting the cover back on after completing the fan replacement, be sure you put the side with the cutout on the same side of the Airport that has the LAN and power connectors. The black cover can only go back on in one correct position. Look at the inside bottom of the black cover and you’ll see one side is configured differently. Place that different side to align with the LAN and power holes of the Airport unit, then push it down gently into place.
John Vitali -
Not found anything “gentle” works here! Can’t manage this without damage personally (gentle guy).
Martin -
I was able to compete this step with a butter knife and much gentle prying. The scariest part is slipping the butter knife in.
James -
Be gentile. Work around slowly a couple of times. Make sure to have a thin putty knife. Do not stubbornly use a lot of force but with some gentile but moderate pressure you will do it with minor issues on the plastic.
saltobanana -