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So last week I cracked the glass on my poor Nexus. It took a horrible drop. Well I can't afford another Nexus and I can imagine having any other phone so I figured I'd repair this one. Read up alot on it and watched a video on Youtube. Ordered all the parts I needed I tackled it today.
Well I decided to do a How-To for any other Nexus owner with broken screens.
New digitizer - $40
Torx screwdriver -$5
Philips screwdriver -$5
Plastic tools - Free
Total - $50
Sure beats the $125 some online sites charge.
I would like to thank ifixit and slickromeo.
1. Gather all your tools and replacement glass (known as a digitizer).
Note: Needed tools are a Philips #00, a Torx T4, and a plastic pry tool (Mine was included with the new screen)
2. Set up a clean comfortable area to work in. You may be here for awhile and you're going to want to reduce the amount of dust that could potentially get on the new glass.
Note: I used a folded over microfiber towel to keep the area clean and also add some padding to the hard counter top to prevent even more damage while working with the phone.
3. Power phone off and remove battery cover, battery, SIM card, and Micro SD card. Set aside in a safe place.
4.Our first obstacle is going to be the antennae cover at the bottom of the phone. There are three plastic clips holding it in place (Circled in red). Use a combination of the pry tool, a guitar pick, butter knife, and any other instrument you need to shove in there. It is a pain in the ass... the video I watched online made it seem like it was going to be alot harder than it was, but if you work from left to right, or right to left, and get the outside one unclipped the other two come off pretty easy. Once you get it off set it aside with the battery cover and other things.
Note: Be careful not to break these tiny, fragile clips as they are the only things holding this cover in place.
5. Scream profanities and wipe the sweat off your brow from the previous step. I know it was frustrating and nerve racking trying not to break your precious Nexus.
6. Ok good job now to start the real deconstruction. I'm going to start with the battery tray and then move down to the antennae. There are three screws holding the tray down, but before we start on those there is this tiny ridiculous little "VOID" sticker covering up one of them. I wasn't able to remove it intake, partly because I don't really care about my warranty, but I'm sure with alot of patience and tweezers one could take it off intake and put it back. But screw that just get it off to get to the screw underneath.
7. Now two of these screws is a Torx and the third is a Philips (All in green). Remove them and put them somewhere very safe.
Note: I have four plastic cups set up to place my screws into. These are going into the first one.
8.Next you need to remove the battery tray. There are seven tabs (yellow circles) around it that you need to release using your plastic pry tool. Once those are released gently pull away form the bottom of the phone to remove the tray. Set the tray aside.
9. Now for the antennae cover. There are two more screws to remove, a Torx and a Philips (Orange circles). These screws are going in the second bowl. After the screws are out, gently lift up on the bottom of that cover and it should remove easily. Be very careful not to damage the circuit board during removal.
10. Next to come out is the logic board. there are two more very tiny screws to remove (White circles). Into the third bowl with those. Next you need to disconnect three connections (purple circles). Then carefully go around the perimeter of it with your pry tool and VERY CAREFULLY remove all the little tabs holding it in place. Then simply push up form the bottom of the logic board and slide it out. Set it somewhere very safe.
11. Now onto the actual case of the Nexus. Remove the six Philips screws, 1 at the top and 5 at the bottom . Again there are a series of little clips, five of em, around the perimeter that need to be undone and then the case very easily separates from the screen. Set the case aside.
12. Very simply pry the LCD screen away form the glass digitizer. There it is... the broken glass.
13. Now take your pry tool and from the back of the glass (not the side you would touch if you were using the phone) wedge it between the frame and the glass to separate to adhesive. Once the pry tool is in you can just slide it around the edge of the glass to separate the whole thing. TA-DA your broken glass is forever gone.
Note: The glass is broken and very sharp. Take extreme caution not to cut yourself.
14. Now we just have to put the whole thing back together. Start with the new glass/digitizer. Peel off the plastic protector to expose the adhesive and very carefully put it in place.
15. Wrap the connector that is part of the digitizer around and secure it in place with its adhesive.
16. Take the whole screen assembly and slide it back into the case. Push to secure the clips then replace the six screws that you removed.
17. Slide the logic board carefully back into place. You may have to hold down/more out of the way a few of the connectors. Take it a little at a time and see where it is getting caught up. You got this far don't lose your patience.
18. Snap the back antennae cover back in and replace its screws.
19. Slide the battery tray into place and replace its screws.
20. Snap the gray antennae cover back on.
21. Replace Micro SD card, battery, and battery cover.
22. Enjoy the beauty of your Nexus without a broken screen.
23. Place Nexus in Otterbox Defender case so this never happens again.
I have pictures that document each step but need to be approved by a moderator before it lets me post em... sorry guys
Hey, awesome job on fixing your screen. I would love to see them, my Nexus just went through the same thing 30 min ago. I had it on my lap, and upon stepping out of the car, SMACK, is all I heard. It landed face down and this is the aftermath. It's much worse than it looks in the picture.
Man, that sucks. I know that feeling.
I'll try to put the pictures up to help you out. Or at least a link to my photobucket.
Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk
thanks! I just cracked mine yesterday after the phone fell out of my pocket onto a concrete floor. Ouch. I'm giving this a whirl.
Nice, I'll keep this in mind for the day I accidentally break my n1.
I just wish we could somehow jury-rig the Incredible digitizer to our phones =/
I just recently converted to the n1, bought the phone for cheap off craigslists, but notice burn in on the screen, will changing the digitizier also fix the burn in?
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this write up. I just dropped my phone and smashed the screen on concrete 30 mins ago. All is working but the glass is cracked. I've ordered a new Digitizer/Glass from ebay for £30, I just hope it comes by tomorrow.
you can post picture after 5 posts so it should be good now you have 8 posts
I've just completed the work of replacing the broken glass.
I used your guide throughout, it's a shame you haven't been able to post the pictures as it definitely would have helped. I managed to google some dismantling pictures to help with your talk through as it was hard going some times.
Many thanks again.
Another useful tip: run an air purifier aimed at your work station to minimize the risk of getting dust in the glass.
blueboymj: Any chance you can edit your original post and add your pictures so others can use them? I searched quite a lot for a specific procedure to change the digitizer on my poor N1; This was the best, most accurate guide I found. I've done digitizers on a few iPhones (sorry for the profanity) using the ifixit guides, but alas, the ifixit guides were better for them than they are for the N1.
On a side note: The end cap that gives people so much trouble fell off of my N1 in the initial drop. I pushed it back on, and continued using the phone even though the glass was shattered. Removing it the first time was not so hard, I think it was not back on as well as it should have been. Removing it the second time (another story) was much harder. There are two little plastic "bars" on the end cap (step 4 above) that fit into small grooves on the "antenna cover". (step 7) I think the trick may be to possibly pinch the edges of the end cap, while sliding it toward the bottom of the phone. I looked at it after it was open, to see why it was so hard to remove, and realized I had been inadvertently helping it hold itself closed while trying to pry it open. Maybe one of the videos addresses this; I did not watch them.
Thank you to the OP and the responders for this post!
So where exactly did u order the new digitizier and parts from?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
This thread should be added to the N1 wiki. Thanks for the instructions.
DrewOntheMYT said:
I just recently converted to the n1, bought the phone for cheap off craigslists, but notice burn in on the screen, will changing the digitizier also fix the burn in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Burn in? Like shadowing on the LCD? Nope.
Thats the LCD, and is completely different than the digitizer. The digitizer is just a clear plastic/glass layer that goes OVER the lcd to detect touch.
I had the digitizer and a new case and was going to have a local phone store replace this for me. However, they just gave me some BS story about how you cannot replace the digitizer without also replacing the LCD screen, which I did not provide.
So I've been without a phone (since they have it) for no reason and have to drive out of my way to retrieve it.
Hey crappy phone store, if you're too scared to do the job just say so, don't try to make up a bunch of manure and say it can't be done.
Anyway, I just ordered the required tools that I don't have and am going to give this a whirl.
OP, if you can't post your pics, can you email them to me?
does it fix the multitouch problem?
So rather than sending back my Nexus 7, I decided to give something a try. I removed the back casing, which is very easy to do. I used a small flat screwdriver where the "leather" meets the plastic and gently wedged it in. The case popped right open and was easily removed. I then tightened all of the small phillips screws around the outside of the board on the back of the screen.
This immediately cleared up the creakiness and play that i was experiencing on the left side of the screen. I tightened all screws and not just the ones on the left side. Do this at your own risk, obviously, but this immediately rectified my issue!
7/22 update:
So on Friday, I noticed a slight creak returned. I removed the black strip of foam that has been discussed in this thread. Since Friday, with heavy use, no creak, no play, no screen rise I'll update again later in the week to confirm it hasn't returned.
8/02 update:
Since removing the sponge, the play in the screen and the creaks have not returned. I see others havent had as much luck with it but, for me, I can say it did the trick.
Update 1: People are reporting that after a few hours the issue came back. It does appear to be something else causing this. If your issue persists, Call Your Store!
Update 2: Included another guide in this post to try, thank you Luxferro & Evo_Shift
Update 3: Most of us Play Store people are closing in on 15 day replacement time. It's quick & painless, and you still get to use your tablet while the other one is being shipped. Call them, RMA it, get it taken care of.
Update 4: Added Washer Fix Guide. Received my new replacement from the google store. Worse than my older one. Uploaded a video below. Google told me to google the fix for it and try it.
NOTE: Me & Jam are not responsible for what damage you may cause. Nobody has noticed any warranty seals being broken.
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Do I have screen separation?
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http://www.7nex.us/wp-content/gallery/defects/buldge5.jpg
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Guide One - Washer Fix by dilldoe
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Main Idea: http://imgur.com/QbGxi | Original Post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=29363298&postcount=638
UPDATE: PICTURES & GUIDE - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=29422550&postcount=1
Using the thin plastic from a pill blister (allergy pills were right in front of me when I was doing this) I created a washer to space out the frame & screen.
Just cut a rectangle out and punch a hole at the end for the screw to go thru. I just used a sewing needle on a sewing machine, like a drill press, to make a starter hole and my smallest screwdriver to widen it. With the screwdriver still in the hole, I just ran my knife around it to trim off the excess plastic.
WHY A LONG RECTANGLE? so you can insert it and hold it in place while you work. don't want it accidentally falling into the device.
now just slide that UNDER the top frame and screw it back together. MAKE SURE YOU STOP ONCE IT'S SNUG. the screen should now be lower than the side bezel.
Do this to all the spots that are lifting. I just did mines on the lower left and upper right, since they both had slight lift.
After you're done screwing it all down, trim off the excess so you can put the back cover back on, not flush to the frame, just enough so you can hold it if you need to remove it.
Did this last night and this afternoon, still no returning lift.
edit: depending on how much lift you have, you might have to use 2 or more to fill the gap (or use something thicker like used gift cards)
Follow ups:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=29384275&postcount=677
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=29405347&postcount=710
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=29402365&postcount=700
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Guide Two - Simple Tighten by cwc3/jam10238
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1) Grab something that isn't going to mar your nice silver plastic. People have been using guitar picks & even their fingernails
2) Stick that non-marring object between like seen here: http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/CAKD1lCgchEPlBI2.medium (they have a white cover while we have a black one)
3) Start sliding that object between the two, you will notice them starting to pop up. Try not to pry if you can, I had to a little.
4) Should now look like this: http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/1S3nvadn4UKYoEVx.medium
5) Tighten all the screws around the outside (Pretty much eye glasses size), on the black plastic and metal. Not too tight, or you might cause back-light bleed &/or strip the screw. In my case most were a little loose.
6) When putting the case back on, be sure your not just starting flat. Start at a angle, for example, with the right side portrait. Push/Pop it back on going around the tablet.
Pictures I took taking it apart:
http://i.imgur.com/4dG2d.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/ONTTp.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/A3zfP.jpg?1
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Guide Three - Advanced Tighten by Luxferro
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Original Post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29022274#post29022274
1) Loosen all the screws around the outside w/ the panel on a flat hard surface (hard cover book)
2) Let the panel re-seat itself a bit
3) Just barely tighten all the screws.
4) Then repeat the tightening once they are all done to snug them up (not too much!). It should make your screen look perfect.
4a) After a bit of use you might need to snug them up once more - if the glass starts popping up again.
I tried this method of losening the screws after just tightening them failed me. And so far over 12 hours later my device still is good
Follow up:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=29028109&postcount=235
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Interesting Links:
Someone removing some of the foam to compensate - Do not recommend (Warranty May Be Void)
Full ifixit teardown: http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nexus-7-Teardown/9623/1
Post a vid!
---------- Post added at 12:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:55 PM ----------
So the problem most of us have is cause ASUS didn't tighten some screws.. hahh
Thanks for TOFTT!
When you snapped the case back on there was no evidence that you opened it?
cwc3 said:
You brave, brave man.
For anyone as brave as him, here is a tear down guide: http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nexus-7-Teardown/9623/1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha! It really sounds a lot worse than it is. Removing my Galaxy Nexus battery cover is almost as difficult!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
jam10238 said:
So rather than sending back my Nexus 7, I decided to give something a try. I removed the back casing, which is very easy to do. I used a small flat screwdriver where the "leather" meets the plastic and gently wedged it in. The case popped right open and was easily removed. I then tightened all of the small phillips screws around the outside of the board on the back of the screen.
This immediately cleared up the creakiness and play that i was experiencing on the left side of the screen. I tightened all screws and not just the ones on the left side. Do this at your own risk, obviously, but this immediately rectified my issue!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brave indeed! Tempted to do this since I have the same problem but 1) don't wanna wait 1h on hold trying to get an RMA and 2) who knows when I'd be getting a new one.
In case I try this, and it ends up not fixing the issue and I decide to send it back later, do you think Google would be able to tell that device has been opened and potentially refuse the exchange?
Thanks
I might give this a try tonight after having an adult beverage to calm my nerves.
Thank you for doing it. I'll give it a go when I get home. Did you use a regular flat head or a plastic device friendly one?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
laverdure#1 said:
Brave indeed! Tempted to do this since I have the same problem but 1) don't wanna wait 1h on hold trying to get an RMA and 2) who knows when I'd be getting a new one.
In case I try this, and it ends up not fixing the issue and I decide to send it back later, do you think Google would be able to tell that device has been opened and potentially refuse the exchange?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think so, there is absolutely ZERO warranty tape or anything that is standard on electronics these days. Its literally like a big battery cover. I can post a video shortly of the process.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Pithism said:
Thank you for doing it. I'll give it a go when I get home. Did you use a regular flat head or a plastic device friendly one?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a very small standard precision flat head. Fingernails may even work it was that simple.....
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Were the screws that you tightened noticeably loose?
adamhlj said:
Were the screws that you tightened noticeably loose?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There were absolutely 3 or 4 that were a half turn loose.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Videos or pictures would be clutch
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
cwc3 said:
You brave, brave man.
For anyone as brave as him, here is a tear down guide: http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nexus-7-Teardown/9623/1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You only need to do step 4 in this guide and thats it. If you look at the image for step 5 or 6 youll see one of the screws i tightened in the lower right corner of the picture.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I have the minimal screen yellowing issue on the right side of the screen. Do you think this could possibly solve my problem?
Sent from my Nexus 7
I'm going to bookmark this for now, but not worry about it as it stands.
I finally noticed just a thumbs size spot in the upper left that i could sometimes hear a LITTLE give, but that was in my quiet bedroom.
Otherwise it didn't feel like it was really having any give or separation.
So for now, I don't think I'll tempt fate, everything else seemed good in my build quality based on what some folks are reporting. Lightbleed I know from my old G2x, and got none, no discoloration or dead pixels that I could see. So given my luck I would tighten up this little almost not noticeable issue, and ... cause 2 more things to start acting up for no discernible reason at all.
Thanks though.
Just used my finger nail. Came off no problem. just don't have a screw driver that small at work.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Pithism said:
Videos or pictures would be clutch
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, the teardown guide has better pictures than i could ever take. Once you pop the cover off, just gently give all exposed phillips screws around the outside a turn until tight. Dont force anything. Go the entire way around the outside then just pop the cover back on and power it back up.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Yea they are good pictures. I will look at those again. Really easy to do people
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Those who got it popped off successfully, post some pics/video!
For anyone having the infamous left side screen lift issue. This includes being able to physically see the glass protruding the silver bezel, screen sponginess, and being able to hear the screen stick/unstick from the adhesive.
After reading this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1800418 it is apparent the screws are a hair too long. When tightened all the way, they actually can press the screen glass out.
The easiest thing for anyone to try is to just LOOSEN the screws just 1/4 turn. You are loosening the screws so very little, that they will stay snug as far as holding what they are supposed to, but they will no longer push out on the screen glass. I didn't even bother with finding a screw driver, and just used my pocket knife. My screen was raised in the very middle of the left side, so I only loosened the 2 screws directly under the seperation. I suppose this will not work for everyone, but it's so simple and only took me less than 2 mins, you might as well give it a shot. Good luck!
Great thanks
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
If you're going to loosen screws you probably want to Loctite them.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=29457665&postcount=41
eh hem...what gave you this idea? jk
Just don't overdo it and you'll be fine. No need for loctite, it's only a small turn and the screws are still plenty secure.
---------- Post added at 12:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:28 AM ----------
Loosening the screws in some areas will also help with backlight bleed. If you notice a spot near a screw that is really bright, it's most likely a little too tight.
I found this out by testing different "tightness" adjustments. When I went too far, I noticed back light bleed starting to show, loosen it up a bit and it went away.
This actually worked! So far, anyway. We'll see if it's a permanent fix, but it looks promising.
ferris2375 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=29457665&postcount=41
eh hem...what gave you this idea? jk
Just don't overdo it and you'll be fine. No need for loctite, it's only a small turn and the screws are still plenty secure.
---------- Post added at 12:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:28 AM ----------
Loosening the screws in some areas will also help with backlight bleed. If you notice a spot near a screw that is really bright, it's most likely a little too tight.
I found this out by testing different "tightness" adjustments. When I went too far, I noticed back light bleed starting to show, loosen it up a bit and it went away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol yeah I saw your posts. I mean, that's the same thing I thought of right away. The washers seemed to be a stiff foam, so they compress when screws are tightened. I figured I could loosen them but at the same time keep them snug.
But yeah man good stuff. Did it work for ya?
This.
The washer idea is smart, but for me it caused a more annoying problem. The frame was too thick and pulled the silver trim piece away from the screen and caused a creaking noise at the slightest touch that was way worse than the screen lift.
I just loosened every screw and tightened them back with basically no torque after they stopped turning. All is good now, no creak from the trim and no screen lift, though it's basically flush on he left side
Sent from my Nexus 7
jweitzel24 said:
This.
The washer idea is smart, but for me it caused a more annoying problem. The frame was too thick and pulled the silver trim piece away from the screen and caused a creaking noise at the slightest touch that was way worse than the screen lift.
I just loosened every screw and tightened them back with basically no torque after they stopped turning. All is good now, no creak from the trim and no screen lift, though it's basically flush on he left side
Sent from my Nexus 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool. So did you end up loosening the screws then? Meaning, when you re-tightened them, you didn't tighten them as tight as they were from the factory?
Very interesting... I thought the glass was supposed to be flush with the bezel, until I read your comment. After looking at it, the left side of my glass is also flush with the bezel, while the right side glass sits just a little lower.
That's no big deal to me though, as long as my screen is seated properly.
jaycustom said:
Cool. So did you end up loosening the screws then? Meaning, when you re-tightened them, you didn't tighten them as tight as they were from the factory?
Very interesting... I thought the glass was supposed to be flush with the bezel, until I read your comment. After looking at it, the left side of my glass is also flush with the bezel, while the right side glass sits just a little lower.
That's no big deal to me though, as long as my screen is seated properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably a little lighter than factory. Honestly, mine wasn't bad to begin with but like every other ocd person on here, I just couldn't resist opening it up and tightening the screws. At that point, the screen lift started getting worse and I moved on to the other half-dozen or so "fixes" when, it turns out, the screws being too tight was making everything way worse.
But yeah, its been a couple hours now and it still feels real solid. I've got a tpu case on order so regardless I'm done messing with it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
jweitzel24 said:
Probably a little lighter than factory. Honestly, mine wasn't bad to begin with but like every other ocd person on here, I just couldn't resist opening it up and tightening the screws. At that point, the screen lift started getting worse and I moved on to the other half-dozen or so "fixes" when, it turns out, the screws being too tight was making everything way worse.
But yeah, its been a couple hours now and it still feels real solid. I've got a tpu case on order so regardless I'm done messing with it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool beans. Luckily, like your N7, mine wasn't bad either.
Couldn't really tell it was lifted by looking at it, but it was the sponginess and that horrible stick/un-stick sound. This is the first fix I tried, and luckily it worked. Let me know how yours turns out, with or without the case..
I simply loosened all screws then tightened them up. Also, Part of a sponge bumper was tucked under a copper shield which I untucked.
Now when I push hard on the left part of the screen I don't get the tacky sound when i unpress it. Also, screen isn't as bulged. In fact you can't even tell anymore.
Neither was a real problem on my n7 but I prefer to make it perfect. This solved everything.
MikeMurphy said:
I simply loosened all screws then tightened them up. Also, Part of a sponge bumper was tucked under a copper shield which I untucked.
Now when I push hard on the left part of the screen I don't get the tacky sound when i unpress it. Also, screen isn't as bulged. In fact you can't even tell anymore.
Neither was a real problem on my n7 but I prefer to make it perfect. This solved everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome. Mine wasn't bad either, so I just tried for something simple. It seems like the screws may be too long and pressing on the glass, so I thought to just back them off a hair. 2 minutes later the screen is perfect
jaycustom said:
Awesome. Mine wasn't bad either, so I just tried for something simple. It seems like the screws may be too long and pressing on the glass, so I thought to just back them off a hair. 2 minutes later the screen is perfect
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you take one of the screws out near the central left and shine a light straight down, you will notice that it is open on the other side as in the the screw can pass through. You will also see a portion of the LCD sticking out underneath those screw holes.
I think the LCD isn't suppose to stick out and get underneath the holes, because otherwise the screws won't hit anything and be tightened all the way. I think for some people without screen lift, the partially sticking out LCD might have been crushed and deformed with the screws or the LCD just isn't sticking out as much.
I've been screwing (pardon the pun) about with this some more today, what I have noticed with mine, is if I take the back off and remove all screws the screen sits perfect, put the screws back in, still seems perfect, clip the back on and the screen now sits above the frame on the left, wondering if mine is an issue with the back plate pushing something out of line.
This worked for a while for me but after it heated up the spongy noise returned. HOWEVER I did notice that loosening the screws did fix the touchscreen issue where it was unresponsive at times.
jaycustom said:
Lol yeah I saw your posts. I mean, that's the same thing I thought of right away. The washers seemed to be a stiff foam, so they compress when screws are tightened. I figured I could loosen them but at the same time keep them snug.
But yeah man good stuff. Did it work for ya?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha. I was just messing with ya. This is certainly better than adding a shim but I never had the problem. I just wanted to test this out and take my screws back a bit just in case. The other fix is not the way to go as it screws up the casing.
Still no issues though.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Summerfly said:
If you take one of the screws out near the central left and shine a light straight down, you will notice that it is open on the other side as in the the screw can pass through. You will also see a portion of the LCD sticking out underneath those screw holes.
I think the LCD isn't suppose to stick out and get underneath the holes, because otherwise the screws won't hit anything and be tightened all the way. I think for some people without screen lift, the partially sticking out LCD might have been crushed and deformed with the screws or the LCD just isn't sticking out as much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this.
I'm going to open it up again and consider using mini-washers, or something, just to ensure my now-tightened screws are not pressing on the LCD.
Genius. Popped the back off with a knife, loosened the screws down the left side of the screen a quarter of a turn, and now it's perfect - no more squeaking, no more raised screen. Took about 2 mins to do it.
Also, for those who want a decent cover, I bought a Belkin case from PC World yesterday (quite pricey at £30 but I like to try these things out before I buy them rather than just buy online). Even though it's designed for the 7" Samsung Galaxy Tab, it's a near-perfect fit for the Nexus 7. Speaker cut-out is in the wrong place but it doesn't affect the quality noticeably (besides, I hook mine up via Bluetooth to a Jawbone Jambox). Also got myself a sat nav mount and stuck it on the wall next to my bed, so my Nexus 7 is now a handy portable TV
I fixed mine without even getting inside. Just used a blowdryer and heat up the side while holding the screen down. Seemed to stay put and still is.
Simply awesome, completely fixed that annoying screen bulge on the left side!
Looking at screen 20 on the ifixit nexus 7 breakdown you can see that the screw lugs on left overlap the LCD where the right side do not. So based on reports that loosing the screws solves the screen lift issue, I would think the permanent solution is use shorter screws. This will be easy fix for Asus.
What do you all think?
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I put smaller screws in my first one and it did improve the situation a lot but so did putting washers on the screws (under the screw head, not in the casing).
But the general feeling seems to be the contact point for the adhesive is so narrow in places that it comes unstuck easily. If that is the case, the screws aren't going to matter.
Ok, so I have had the screen lift problem. It's on the left side worst in the middle. I decided I would take it apart and do the shims between the screws thing. But when I got it open the lift disappeared. So it's a problem with the back pressing up just enough... I noticed a pretty thick piece of foam right on the center left so I removed it. Just replaced the case and tada the tape is holding the screen flat just fine now. Just thought I would pass this on with the other fixes.
Danny80y said:
Ok, so I have had the screen lift problem. It's on the left side worst in the middle. I decided I would take it apart and do the shims between the screws thing. But when I got it open the lift disappeared. So it's a problem with the back pressing up just enough... I noticed a pretty thick piece of foam right on the center left so I removed it. Just replaced the case and tada the tape is holding the screen flat just fine now. Just thought I would pass this on with the other fixes.
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I noticed last time I opened it that this foam had some compression marks. Likely from pressing against the back. Mine was slightly misaligned, so really only part was compressed. I had the same thought, i.e. remove it. Maybe align it, but it's glued on tight.
So I just removed it. I'll let you know how it turns out in a day or 2.
I also use 3 washers for the top 3 on the left, which helped huge. Hopefully this will make it perfect.
Update Sept 1. This definitely helps. Noticed from pics on another thread that some new models have this foam removed, as shipped. Interesting. Also, on new models, some have screws missing (2 and 4, starting top left). I tried removing screw 2 but when I woke up I noticed creaking and movement at the bezel, when I press my left thumb inwards, which is something I always do. So I put the screw (and washer) back in this morning. Perfect now. But removing this foam was essential, so thanks again.
Makes sense. The screen is dead flat, so it has to be the back case that is separating. Thanks for the info.
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this isn't new and has already been covered already.
dilldoe said:
this isn't new and has already been covered already.
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Can you point to where the foam issue was already covered? It was the first I saw.... maybe they have more pointers... Links?
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mike5065 said:
Can you point to where the foam issue was already covered? It was the first I saw.... maybe they have more pointers... Links?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
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http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1781237
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=29028614&postcount=237
mike5065 said:
Can you point to where the foam issue was already covered?
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It was covered in the main screen lift thread, which is like 90 pages long and has every possible remedy tested, dissected and mostly debunked. The fact is there are several factors causing the lift and there need to be several solutions to really fix it 100%, and permanently. You can make it better in various ways, one of which is removing that foam, although I believe the foam is there to keep the back from flexing and compressing those metal "prongs", causing them to lose contact. So you might have other problems later without the foam. I probably wouldn't mess with it, personally.
I personally think a workable solution for most N7's with this problem would be to shave that foam down evenly by like 0.3mm, then clamp the screen to the trim and leave it in a hot car like that for a day or so to re-adhere, without the back cover on. Then cool the tablet down and replace the back cover. The hard part is evenly shaving down the foam; it is just a tiny bit too big. But it should be present.
Well I thought I could live with it but the lift is back.... I have also noted that my 8gb gets really poor wifi connection compared to my wife's 16gb. All the clips are still contacting the back plate but I can see no difference in signal with or without the back on. So, I just called google and they are shipping out a new unit for me tomorrow. Hopefully this one is better.
Took the back off to look at screen lift fix. Low & behold 3 screws missing on the LH side of the unit. Also some fingerprints on the copper plates, 2 loose (more than 1 full turn to tighten) screws on the RH side, metal tape/gauze over phone socket loose.
badasscat said:
...So you might have other problems later without the foam...
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Thanks for all this info. My foam was glued at about 25 degrees off-angle, and clearly compressed at the corner closest to the bezel, so a problem for mine' right from the factory. I didn't get it all off, but most for sure. Once removed, the bulge I had at that point between the bezel and rear case was gone. So was some screen lift' although the washers helped more for that. Not a big win, just another step forward.
I'm still curious why some pics on other thread show no foam, as shipped.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=30974024
From my looking, it's in a seemingly non-functional gap, and presses down a wide cable (or something). I earlier traced movement of that cable as the source of 'creaking' I was having, i.e. when it moved against another piece of plastic beside the bezel. I put some lithium where it rubbed and the creaking stopped. Mind you I did that (and the 3 washers precisely tightened) before i removed most of the foam.
My Tf101 was a lot less maintenance than this one. But once done (crossing fingers lol), it's causing my iPad3 to collect dust. This thing just screams. Loving it.
Again, thanks for the info.
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