How to disassemble and clean your iPod's mechanical scroll wheel [UPDATED]

[UPDATE]
This post was getting so much traffic on my old site, I thought I would repost it here and add the fact that I also bought iCleaner to get rid of the scratches on both the plastic and the metal.

The iCleaner worked more or less as advertised, however it did *not* return my iPod to a factory-like finish. Also, the cleaner has now separated eight months on, so I'm not sure how effective it would be cleaning an iPod or iBook now. The short shelf life of iCleaner is disappointing and the results are mediocre. Think long and hard about it before you spend your $20...

 

Guess who got an old-school iPod for Christmas? That's right. And what was the first thing I wanted to do? Restore it to factory conditions. I have *not* followed this article yet to clean my iPod, so proceed with caution.

From iPodlounge.

Warning: Do not attempt to disassemble iPods with non-moving, touch sensitive scroll wheels. The following methods are only for iPods with mechanical, moving scroll wheels.

Step 1
Here you have your iPod, Looking pretty and in one piece. Not for long.

Step 2a
Get yourself a length of tape. We are using Pressure Sensitive Scotch Tape, but masking tape will work just as good. Place the tape either top-to-bottom or side-to-side covering the scroll wheel as shown in the photo at left.

Step 2b
Gently pull the tape taught from both ends until the scroll wheel "pops" up.

Step 2c
As you can see this is an easy, safe method for removal. We spotted this method at iPodingand tried it ourselves and liked the results. I'm sure you'll agree once you give it a try.

Step 3
Here you have the disc and center button completely removed.

Step 4
A closer view of behind the scenes. Notice the steel ball bearings in which the scroll wheel tracks on.

Step 5
Take a look at how thick the disc is. Suprising build quality. Now your ready to clean your scroll wheel. I recommend using a can of Dust-Off or Endust compressed air for electronics. Spray the compressed air in short bursts to remove any dust. If there is any dirt or grime, clean it with a slightly damp (with water), soft cloth then dry it off completely. You can also use the can of compressed air to dry it. Give a quick cleaning to the inside of the iPod with the can of compressed air. Now it's nice and clean and ready for reassembly. Note: You can buy Dust-Off or Endust at any large electronic stores.

[Update August 2006]

Three further posts that might be of interest to you:

1. Sony MDR-EX71 Review
2. Shure Ec2 Review
3. iPod HiFi Review

[Update February 2007]

As you read through the comments, you'll see people talking about the iPod mini, iPod nano and video iPod. There is a new how-to site that offers videos to walk you through your repair process step by step. If you're going to operate on your pod, you might want to watch these videos first...

 

Comments

[Tommy Mann]

My ipod mini trackwheel will not work in at the too position. Is there a way to disassemble it

[Jason Ball]

You might want to try a soft reset (hold down menu and select buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds).

[Andrew V]

Only part of my ipod 4 gen. 20 gig scroll wheel works. Like if I'm attempting to turn up the volume only the upper right side will move the cursor what can I do?

[pauld803]

Please explain how to remove the original case. I purchased Swarovski case and I don't know the procedure. If anyone can help me would be much appreciated. Thank you

[Jason Ball]

Andrew,

If you've got a 4th gen iPod it should still be under warranty. Take it back immediately. It sounds like you have a defective scroll wheel. I'm using a mini ipod now and if you've tried the soft reset I suggested to Tommy and that doesn't work, take it back and get a new one.

Hope you solve the problem...

[asdoifug]

YOU [expletive deleted]. i TRIED IT AND I JUST BROKE MY IPOD. WOW YOU ARE A REAL LOW LIFE, UGLY [expletive deleted] BAG!!!

[Jason Ball]

Thanks "asdoifug". If you're going to use language like that, you should at least post under your real name.

Btw, line 2 says the following: "I have *not* followed this article yet to clean my iPod, so proceed with caution."

I think that's pretty self-explanatory. If you broke your pod, I'm sorry about that, but you can't say I didn't warn you...

[Ricardo]

My 4th gen ipod got a little scartch in its sensetive touch wheel, and so far the button and wheel haven't worked, is there enything I can take off or do to make it work again??

[Jenny Song]

How do you clean off the dirt and grime that accumulates on your scroll. I have an ipod mini, it's 3-4 generation...so i don't have the mechanical scroll.

[abc]

dude this broke my pod u suck it didnt work

[Christina Maggio]

Hey,
Okay, my iPod 10GB's buttons (the one's you just touch) won't work. At all. They were working *okay* when I got it (used) but they would freeze up from time-to-time so I'd just tap it and it was fine. Now, they won't work. Period. Battery's charged and working, songs can be downloaded.
Please help me!!

[porferghini]

i found a way to fix the touch/click wheel on ipods that works. (or at least works on the ipods i fixed. i had a 4th generation and the top left and bottom right quarters of the wheel didnt work. to easy way to fix it without taking the ipod apart is to take a pen cap and use pressure in the dead spots by rubbing it around. if that doesnt work try to use something a little harder but not to hard or it will scratch it. and a way to keep the wheel sensitive all you have to do is carefully clean the wheel with regular hand soap. after I did this ive never had any this problem whith any ipod ever again.

[Nick]

Hi, I just took apart my iPod mini 1st Gen to replace my battery. I replaced my battery just fine but after I reassembled it my touch sensative wheel and buttons dont work. Has anyone had this problem? is so have you fixed it and how?

Thank You

[the ipod guy]

you are so amazign i wish there was a guy like you for everything in the house well you made me life a whole lot happier if there is anythign i could do to repay please let me know (i was just saying that to be nice i really wont get you anything lol)

[eric]

Hi, I have a 4G ipod, the middle button on the wheel seems to have dirt/grim under it. Sometimes I have to push it another time to get it to work. I was wondering if I can clean it by taking off the wheel. Or if I should just send it back to Apple.

[BravoKilo]

WOW JASON BALL thank you for your comment to tommy about soft reset, I thought my ipod mini was completely fragged and just a hunk of silicon when i couldnt restart it by hitting menu and PLAY simultaneously, turns out it was menu and SELECT?!!? THANK YOU I HAVE A HOUR CAR TRIP THROUGH TEXAS TO MAKE AND WAS TERRIFIED THAT I WOULDNT HAVE MY MUSIC. much love man, much love

[Jason Ball]

Eric,

4G iPods should be the same as a mini iPod. Here's a link to how to dissasamble one of those: http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/taking-apart-the-ipod-mini/

All the normal heath warnings apply. YMMV.

[Jason Ball]

BravoKilo,

Thanks for your kind words. I am humbled.

[GREG]

AFTERREMOVING CLICK WHEEL USING TAPE HOW DO U GET IT BACK ON. AFTER RESTARTING IT YESTERDAY IT JUST FROZE ON THE MENU SCREEN. IT ALSO WOULDN'T MOUNT ON MY COMPUTER AS IT NOEMALLY DOES? ITS A NANO GOT IT FOR CHRISTMAS ANY THOUGHTS

[Jonathan]

Thanks for the instructions. I couldn't figure out a safe way to get the scroll button off, let alone how to fix the unresponsive issue i had. Thanks for the help.

[Mark E]

My daughter has a first Generation Ipod (20 gig?)
bought used, worked fine for several months. NOw, if you navigate thru the menu (from genre, to artist, to album, to song title) she is unable to get *BACK* to the root menu by pressing on the menu choice. She has to shut off the iPod, and then it goes back to the root menu. *sometimes* if she presses repeatedly on the 'menu' button, it will go back... but rarely. I tried to a reset, etc. No dice.

Is this just a dirty scroll wheel/button thing... should I just try the above procedure (remove wheel) and clean out? Or is this the ... end?
Hope u can help!

Mark

[Jason Ball]

Mark, have you tried to update the software on the iPod? Make sure you've got the latest release before moving on to the hardware...

Jason

[Mark E]

Thanks Jason
I think I did update the software
I will try it again

[Madhur]

You've been so amazing,I cant express my happiness!
Thanks a million for your helpful words..Now my clickwheel is back in position...I used your tape idea...i was a little sceptical but anyways the iPod was dead so i tried and it worked...
Thanks princess (I would be glad to help but i doubt i could ever reach your level)

[brian]

hey there, came across your page after my mini's scroll wheel decided to start playing and pausing randomly, did the tape trick (which didn't pull the wheel out, but might have fixed it if it was a mechanical sticking problem) and also did the soft reset, it seems ok now. I say to you sir, thank you.