Dell Chromebook 3180 Palmrest Replacement

Remove the 7 screws from the back cover with a Phillips #0 screwdriver

Once all 7 screws have been removed, you can start to pry apart the back cover with your Plastic Blade or your fingers. (See pic)

Remove the 3 battery screws with a phillips #00 screwdriver.

Remove the battery from the motherboard extension connector

using a phillips #0, remove the 3 left hinge screws and the 2 right hinge screws.

Using a phillips #0, remove the 1 screw from the wifi card.

Disconnect both the white and black power wires from the Wifi Card.

Remove the LCD data cable from the motherboard. Lift the black clip first in order to release the connector.

Lift the right side hinge upward in order to gain access to the charging port area.

Using your phillips #0, remove the 2 screws.

Remove the audio board data cable from the motherboard.

Using a phillips#0, remove the 1 screw from the audio board.

Lift and remove the tap that is securing the speaker wire to the palmrest.

Lift both speakers out from there secured areas. You do not need to disconnect the data cable from the motherboard.

Disconnect the keyboard data cable from the motherboard by lifting up the connector clip.

Disconnect the trackpad data cable from the motherboard by lifting up the connector clip.

Using a phillips#0, remove 6 motherboard screws.

You do not need to remove all heatsink screws. You only need to remove the left and right side heat sink screws.

You do not need to remove all the USB cover/brace screws. Only remove the 1 in the top right corner. See video.

Position both LCD hinges in an upward position to allow space in order to separate the palmrest from the entire LCD assemply

Separate the palmrest from the LCD Assembly and set the palmrest on the desk with the keyboard face up.

Using the plastic blade tool or any plastic tool of your choice, pry out the keyboard from the palmrest.

Replace the old palmrest with a new palmrest

Install old or new keyboard into the new palmrest

Make sure to thread the keyboard data cable through the palmrest. See video

Lay the LCD assembly faceup with the hinges at the top.

Reconnect the palmrest by manuvering the corners under the LCD hinges.

Push the left hinge down flush against the palmrest

Leave the right hinge in an upward position so you can install the motherboard first.

Carefully insert the motherboard with speakers still atatched

Make sure to keep the keyboard and trackpad data cables above the motherboard. Sometimes they can get caught underneath the motherboard.

Using your phillips#0, replace the 6 motherboard screws.

Make sure the keyboard and trackpad data cables

Connect the keyboard data cable to the motherboard. Make sure the connector clip is pressed down to secure the data cable

Connect trackpad data cable to motherboard. Make sure the connector clip is pressed down to secure the data cable

Connect the audio board data cable to the motherboard connector.

Using a phillips#0, replace the 1 audio board screw.

Make sure the right hinge is still in an upward position so you can insert the charging board screws.

Using a philips#0, replace the 2 charging port screws.

Once the charging port is installed, push the right hinge down flush against the motherboard area.

Insert the battery while making sure it is flush against the palmrest

Keep an eye out for the speaker wires that are usually routed toward the bottom of the battery compartment area.

Using a phillips #0, replace the 3 left hinge screws and 2 right hinge screws.

Using a phillips #0, replace the 7 back cover screws.