DIY Xbox 360 S Hard Drive Bracket Replacement Guide
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 48 Steps
Time to give your Xbox’s wiggly hard drive a fresh new home with a shiny new bracket!
Step 1
Be careful when removing the fan vent, you don’t want to break any of those little plastic clips!
– Next up, let’s tackle that top vent! It’s hanging on there thanks to thirteen sneaky clips. With a little finesse, you’ll have it off in no time!
Step 2
Give that spudger a little twist and make sure it’s clear of the silver rim. You’ve got this!
– First things first, make sure the console is oriented just right—so those cool ‘XBOX 360’ words are standing tall and proud, with the faceplate looking to the left.
– Now, grab a trusty metal spudger and slide it between the top vent and the top bezel, right at the back of your Xbox. You’re doing great!
– Give that spudger a little twist away from the console, gently prying up the edge of the fan vent until those two sneaky plastic clips decide to let go.
Tools Used
Step 3
– Slide your trusty metal spudger into the gap between the fan vent and the top bezel on the left side of the console.
– Just like we did before, gently start prying the left side of the top vent away from the top bezel.
– Keep on prying along the left side of the device, making sure to free all those clips hanging out on that side.
Tools Used
Step 5
Each clip can be undone by inserting a metal spudger underneath the bottom edge. Once you’ve got it under the bottom edge, just pry away from the console to release the clip. It’s a snap! .
– Next up, it’s time to pop those six clips free, just like the stars aligned! Look out for the ones marked in red. You’ve got this!
Tools Used
Step 6
Position the console with the left side facing you and the faceplate turned to the right. You’re doing great!
Listen for a satisfying ‘pop’ sound—it’s the clip letting go of its catch, just like magic!
– Now it’s time to get a little tricky – insert a metal spudger through the front-most slit on the left edge of the top bezel, making sure it’s between the bottom edge of the clip and the left case. Take your time and get it just right.
– Next, gently rotate the spudger away from the console while pulling up on the top bezel. This will help free the clip, and you’ll be one step closer to fixing your device. If you’re feeling stuck, don’t worry – just take a deep breath and try again.
Tools Used
Step 7
– Just like before, let’s liberate those last two clips on the left side of the top bezel. You’ve got this!
Step 8
The top panel is still holding on tight to the console, so don’t force it just yet!
– Take hold of that top panel like you’re lifting a light snack, and gently raise the left edge high enough for those pesky clips to sit comfortably on the left case.
– If those clips decide to get cozy again, don’t fret! Just grab your trusty spudger and give them a gentle reminder to stay apart.
Tools Used
Step 9
– Give your console a little twist so that the back of the Xbox 360 S is looking right at you, with the right side facing you like it’s ready to chat.
– Slide that trusty metal spudger into the back-most opening on the right side of the top bezel, right between the clip’s bottom edge and the right case. It’s like playing hide and seek, but with tools!
– As you gently lift the top bezel with your fingers, give that spudger a little twist away from the console to pop the clip free. You’ve got this!
Tools Used
Step 10
– Just like you did earlier, gently pop loose the middle and front clips on the right side of the top panel. You’re doing great!
Step 12
Alright, let’s get this party started! Turn your Xbox 360 S around so the bottom is facing you. You’re in control now!
– Give that latch a gentle nudge to the left to release the hard drive cover.
– Carefully slide the hard drive cover away from the console, like a pro!
Step 13
The fabric tab is hooked to a latch inside the hard drive enclosure. You’ll need to give it a little tug to get the hard drive out.
– Grab that fabric tab marked with the hard drive size (like ‘250 GB’) and give it a good hold.
– Now, gently pull the hard drive straight out of the console. You’ve got this!
Step 14
Next up, it’s time to get that bottom vent out of the way!
– It’s held in place by seven clips located on the bottom panel, as shown. Let’s get those clips to cooperate!
Step 15
Flip the Xbox 360 S so the hard drive port is looking up at you and the faceplate is turned to the left side. You’re doing great!
Step 16
You should now have freed all the clips along the right and front edges – and if some extra ones came undone, no big deal, that’s all part of the process!
– Now, let’s tackle those last two clips on the bottom right edge – just like you did earlier, carefully pry them open.
Step 17
– Gently lift the bottom vent away from the bottom bezel to set it free!
Step 18
Next up, it’s time to gently detach the bottom bezel. It’s holding on tight with four clips, but don’t worry, you got this!
– Let’s get that clip off! To detach the clips shown in red, carefully slide a metal spudger under the bottom edge. Then, gently pry the clip away from the console – it should come free with a little bit of effort. If you’re having trouble, don’t worry, it’s all part of the process!
Tools Used
Step 19
You might hear a little “pop” as the clip releases. It’s like a tiny celebration!
Step 20
Woohoo! You’ve got the left side of the bottom bezel all freed up. Keep on rocking, you’re doing great!
– Slide a trusty metal spudger into the left middle slit of the bottom bezel, sneaking it right between the bottom edge of the clip and the left case.
– Now, while you’re at it, gently lift the bottom bezel up and twist that spudger away from the console to set the clip free.
– Keep that momentum going! Use the same technique to release the clip at the front of the bottom bezel’s left edge.
Tools Used
Step 21
Flip the console around so the faceplate is happily facing the right and the right case is ready to greet you.
This clip can be a bit of a tough cookie! You might need to give a little extra oomph to get that spudger in there just right.
Step 22
Step 23
Be careful with this little clip – it’s smaller than the rest, so don’t try to remove it from the top like you did with the others.
Step 24
If you decide to keep going with your Xbox 360 adventure, just a heads up: opening it up any further means you’ll have to break or remove that warranty sticker on the outer case. Keep in mind, doing so might just wave goodbye to your Microsoft warranty for any parts not directly connected to the logic board. So, tread carefully!
Step 25
Place the console right side up, making sure the faceplate is facing you like it’s ready to chat!
– First things first, find those two sneaky clips hiding along the top edge of the console, right behind the Wi-Fi card. They’re the ones connecting the right and left case.
– Now, with one hand, gently push the left and right cases apart. As you do this, use a metal spudger to carefully pry those clips away from the case. You got this!
Tools Used
Step 27
Turn the Xbox upside down so that the faceplate is on your left and the left side of the case is facing you.
– While keeping a firm grip on the left and right cases, use one hand to carefully pry them apart and release one of the clips located near the hard drive slot.
Step 29
Feel free to take out those spudgers that have been keeping the top and bottom clips apart! You’re on your way to a smooth repair.
– Slide the flat edge of your trusty metal spudger between the left and right cases, right where that warranty sticker used to hang out.
– Gently pry the left case upwards to create a little gap between the two cases, and slide the spudger in towards the left case like a pro.
– Now, give that spudger a little upward twist to pop the last clip loose. You’re doing great!
Tools Used
Step 30
– Pop open the clip in the front left corner of the top edge that’s holding the left case snugly against the faceplate. You’ve got this!
Step 31
– Let’s get started by flipping the console over, so the bottom is facing up – easy peasy!
– Next, release one of the clips in the front left corner of the bottom edge. This will help you loosen the left case from the faceplate.
– Now, gently rotate the left case away from the device. This should release the last two inner clips, and you’ll be making great progress!
– Finally, remove the left case, and you’ll have completed this step. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
Step 32
Alright, let’s flip this thing right-side up! Make sure the faceplate is facing forward, so we can see what we’re doing.
– Alright, let’s loosen up that right case! Give the clip near the front right corner of the top edge a gentle nudge to release it from the faceplate.
Step 33
Flip the console over so the bottom is up and the faceplate is looking right at you!
– Pop that clip in the bottom right corner of the top edge to free the right case from the front case. You’ve got this!
Step 34
Hold your horses! The faceplate is still hanging out with the console thanks to a delicate ribbon cable. So, let’s not rush to take it off just yet.
– Now, give that left edge of the faceplate a little lift. You’re basically saying ‘bye bye’ to the last two clips holding it to the right case.
– Time to gently detach the faceplate from the rest of the device. Just like a puzzle piece, it’ll come right off.
Step 35
The locking tab has a bit of a limited range – it’ll only budge about 2 mm, so be gentle!
– Let’s get started! Use a spudger or your fingernail to gently pry the clear blue tab away from the connector.
– Next, locate the locking tab on the power switch board cable connector and slide it upwards, towards the top of the console.
– Now, carefully pull the power switch cable straight out of the connector.
– You’re making great progress! The faceplate should now be free from the rest of the console.
Tools Used
Step 36
– Let’s get started by removing the two 5.6 mm T8 Torx screws that hold the RF module in place on the metal case.
Step 37
Hang on, that RF module is still chilling out with the Xbox, connected by a big USB-type connector. Let’s gently free it before we move on.
– Now, let’s give that board a little push. Gently pull it away from the Xbox, and watch it slide right out! Easy peasy, right?
Step 38
– Let’s get started by removing the single T10 Torx screw that’s holding the wireless card in place. This is a breeze, just take your time!
– Now it’s time to gently pull the Wi-Fi Board out of the console. Easy does it, you’ve got this!
Step 39
Don’t let the tamper-evident sticker scare you – as long as you’re careful and don’t cause any damage, your warranty will remain intact. Now, let’s get started and have a smooth repair experience!
– Peel off that big white sticker from the metal frame to reveal a hidden screw waiting for you!
Step 40
– Alright, let’s get this party started! First things first, we need to unscrew the right case. Grab your trusty T10 Torx screwdriver and give those five 55.5 mm screws a little twist. You got this!
Step 41
Flip the Xbox over so the right side of the case is facing up, ready for action!
– Gently lift the right case off, using its metal frame as your grip buddy.
Step 42
– Unplug the optical drive data cable from its cozy spot at the back of the optical drive.
– Now, gently pull out the power cable from the rear end of the optical drive and let it rest.
Step 43
– Gently lift the optical drive out of the Xbox to get it out of the way.
Step 44
Flip that console over, buddy! You want the metal case staring right back at ya.
– Carefully take out the lone 11.3 mm gold T10 Torx screw from the spot labeled ‘G.’
Step 45
Check it out! There’s a handy locator peg tucked away under the fan duct, right in the top right corner as you see in the pictures. When you’re putting things back together, just peek down the screw hole to help you line everything up perfectly!
Step 46
– Let’s detach that hard drive cable connector! First, remove the single 9.2 mm T10 Torx screw holding it to the plastic bracket.
– Now, carefully lift the hard drive cable connector off the hard drive bracket. You’re doing great!
Step 47
– Unscrew the 11.3 mm T10 Torx screw that’s keeping the hard drive bracket snug against the metal frame, right by the DC-In port.
Step 48
– Time to give that hard drive bracket a little lift and freedom! Gently remove it from its metal home.
