While I find it quite entertaining to work on iPods, I'm not claiming to be an expert. Therefore anything you find here, you can try at YOUR OWN RISK.

Opening Your iPod:

Repairing an iPod is not difficult, but very sensitive. I would HIGHLY recommend wearing an Anti static Band and working in a clean and clear environment.

First, you'll need a small flat head screwdriver (not really a good tool, but it's what I've got on hand and currently I'm not to worried about blemishing the side), and a torque head screwdriver.

My First Victim:

If you're looking at the Face of your iPod, follow the imaginary line across the bottom of the LCD. You can use a small screwdriver to pop open the case. DO NOT DO THIS UNLESS YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH A BLEMISHED IPOD because more than likely your first time, you'll either scratch the case or bend the metal, but on the bright side, it's easily hidden with an iSkin or ipod Case.

Once you've got you're iPod open there is a ribbon cable that runs from the Audio Jack to the Mainboard. If you're looking at the face of the iPod it is in the top left hand corner. You can flip the iPod back cover over and the ribbon cable is very easy to get too. This cable just pulls out.

Once you've got the back plate off you're set for repairs. You should be staring at the top your hard drive which covers most of the Mainboard.

Replacing the Hard Drive:

Once the Case is open, the easy repair is replacing the Hard Drive. You staring right smack at it. Turn the iPod so that the ribbon cable is facing away from you. Remove the Battery cable before taking out the hard drive.

Turn the iPod so that the ribbon cable is facing you and gently pick up the hard drive, and gently remove the ribbon cable. If you've ever replaced an IDE cable in your PC this is exactly the same. There is no separate power cable for the hard drive.

Once the ribbon cable is disconnected you can take the hard drive out. If you're only replacing the hard drive, you can put the new hard drive back in; attach the battery cable and the Audio ribbon cable; Snap the lid closed and you're back in business.

Replacing the Hard Drive Cable:

Now, the Mainboard is exposed and you can see the Ribbon cable clearly (almost, there's a piece of tape that you need to pull off). If you look closely at the hard drive controller (where it connects to the Mainboard), there's a light brown side and a black side. The black side flips up and releases the pressure on the ribbon cable. You can now pull the ribbon out.

Replacing the Main Board:

Now before we can take out the Main Board, we need to remove the Click Wheel Ribbon cable which is next to the Sync port on the bottom of the iPod. As with the hard drive connector, it has a light brown side and a black side. Flip the black side up, and gently pull the cable out.

Now pull out that Torque head screwdriver. There are six small screws in the Mainboard. 4 are over top of the LCD and hold it in place. 1 is next to the battery cable and 1 next to the Click wheel cable. Remember Right Tighty; Lefty Loosey.

By now, you've realized where the LCD is attached and probably realized the connection is similar to the hard drive connection. Flip the black side up and gently pickup the Mainboard. The LCD is still attached, but you should be able to pull out the cable now, or pick the LCD up with it.

Replacing the Battery / Front Cover:

If you've gotten this far, the only thing left is the battery and the front cover.

This maybe a little nerve racking because the battery is glued to the case. It's not strong, but you'll need a screw driver to pry up on the battery. It should pop off, but may make some disconcerting noise.

Replacing the LCD Screen:

Since we took the LCD screen out when we removed the Mainboard, you only have to put the New LCD back in and follow the direction on this page in reverse. If you're fortunate and you didn't play with your iPod to much when it had a broken screen. You won't have to do anything. If you played with it like I did, you might need to download the iPod updater software from apple and reformat your iPod.