LG Optimus G (E970) Teardown (Pics)
- Thread starter saschlac
- Start date
The replacement back that I bought off eBay also has all four sides as well.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
So the phone would be back as close to "mint" as possible..
this one X+ feels like a one X
I don't think so
I really don't think that after replacing the back panel/battery cover on this phone that your side volume rocker crack will be repaired. I got sides with the screen assembly I purchased but the back fits on top and into that frame - it does not have sides. I'm pretty positive that will be the case.
On another note does anyone have a better source for a replacement back than this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-OEM-LG-...426?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec6cc7402 From an earlier post this vendor appears to be out of stock: http://www.ebay.com/itm/150951735574?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 but may reduce the price back over a decimal point if they get more???
Also here is the best price I can find for the screen replacement - they were out of stock but have some now and they are about $16 less than Ebay http://www.etradesupply.com/oem-lg-...nd-digitizer-assembly-with-front-housing.html - wish they had backs...
Thank you,
I really don't think that after replacing the back panel/battery cover on this phone that your side volume rocker crack will be repaired. I got sides with the screen assembly I purchased but the back fits on top and into that frame - it does not have sides. I'm pretty positive that will be the case.
On another note does anyone have a better source for a replacement back than this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-OEM-LG-...426?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec6cc7402 From an earlier post this vendor appears to be out of stock: http://www.ebay.com/itm/150951735574?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 but may reduce the price back over a decimal point if they get more???
Also here is the best price I can find for the screen replacement - they were out of stock but have some now and they are about $16 less than Ebay http://www.etradesupply.com/oem-lg-...nd-digitizer-assembly-with-front-housing.html - wish they had backs...
Thank you,
Digitizer Replacement
Dropped my phone and damaged the digitizer, screen, and back.
Replacement part arrived six days later, took less than an hour exploring along the way.
What is the best way to do a hardware diagnostic?
I concur with saschlac's assessment the screen is not easy to replace. The phone is built on the framework of the screen.
Observations from the process:
- If the back is cracked the pressure exerted to loosen the back cover will finish the job. Cover it with clear tape before attempting not after and many of the tiny shards will be contained.
- While pen caps are a nice non-conductive pry tool. (Probably the reason why the back looks the way it does.) There is a second row of catches in line with the SD and SIM cards that a longer tool is needed to remove.
-I used a T5 on the bottom and a PH00 for the internal screws. If your PH00 is distorted or thicker than it should be the screws are difficult to break free. The third PH00 I tried worked.
- The foil covering the Synapnes chip will rip.
- When removing the main board, be careful around the camera facing the screen. In the image ...-00362 you will see some brown. where the traces have been lifted away and the solder remained on the main board. That camera is non-functioning atm, reflowing isn't going to fix it. Looks like it should lift with the main board. Also there is a small adhesive ring, possibly foam tape, that attaches the camera to the screen.
Would it be better to pull this out entirely rather that risk an intermittent connection?
- Audio jack / sensor is attached by double stick tape, the easiest way to remove it is inserting a screw driver into the jack and prying upward. Proper application of leverage.
- Battery is secured with double stick tape.
- The traces beneath the motor and speaker are delicate and held down by double stick tape. As is the bar that receives the three buttons. Nervewrecking.
- The three most difficult parts were removing the button bar (delicate), the secondary camera (damaged / blind), and the back cover (blind).
PM me with the best method to upload the 18 images (21.2 MB) if you think they should be added to this thread.
LifeLineRepairs has a video of a portion of the teardown on youtube.
/watch?v=S4uspcvx3f0
Dropped my phone and damaged the digitizer, screen, and back.
Replacement part arrived six days later, took less than an hour exploring along the way.
What is the best way to do a hardware diagnostic?
I concur with saschlac's assessment the screen is not easy to replace. The phone is built on the framework of the screen.
Observations from the process:
- If the back is cracked the pressure exerted to loosen the back cover will finish the job. Cover it with clear tape before attempting not after and many of the tiny shards will be contained.
- While pen caps are a nice non-conductive pry tool. (Probably the reason why the back looks the way it does.) There is a second row of catches in line with the SD and SIM cards that a longer tool is needed to remove.
-I used a T5 on the bottom and a PH00 for the internal screws. If your PH00 is distorted or thicker than it should be the screws are difficult to break free. The third PH00 I tried worked.
- The foil covering the Synapnes chip will rip.
- When removing the main board, be careful around the camera facing the screen. In the image ...-00362 you will see some brown. where the traces have been lifted away and the solder remained on the main board. That camera is non-functioning atm, reflowing isn't going to fix it. Looks like it should lift with the main board. Also there is a small adhesive ring, possibly foam tape, that attaches the camera to the screen.
Would it be better to pull this out entirely rather that risk an intermittent connection?
- Audio jack / sensor is attached by double stick tape, the easiest way to remove it is inserting a screw driver into the jack and prying upward. Proper application of leverage.
- Battery is secured with double stick tape.
- The traces beneath the motor and speaker are delicate and held down by double stick tape. As is the bar that receives the three buttons. Nervewrecking.
- The three most difficult parts were removing the button bar (delicate), the secondary camera (damaged / blind), and the back cover (blind).
PM me with the best method to upload the 18 images (21.2 MB) if you think they should be added to this thread.
LifeLineRepairs has a video of a portion of the teardown on youtube.
/watch?v=S4uspcvx3f0
Attachments
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Does anyone know where the vibration motor is on the Optimus G? I've searched through the pictures and i didnt see anything about it. Last night my phone grew legs and ran half way across the room while i was sleeping. Now vibration wont work. I'm not sure if i should try to restore my phone to see if its a problem within the software, or tinker with the motor, if its a problem with the hardware.
Thanks
Thanks
how do you actually open? Because I see your pictures but it doesnt show how to open. I took a trip down to another country and used their SIM card but it seems that it got jammed and it went all the way in. at&t wont even look at the phone and lg wants me to ship the phone, I dont think is necessary. Will I need any special tools?
The LifeLineRepairs video is showing the E975 model I think, is it very similar to the At&t version?
Also, can you upload those 18 images? They will help a lot. My digitizer is dead, and I dont seem to find good tutorials/videos on how to replace it.
Even i was looking for some decent video on how to open it up. The Lifelinerepair video is incomplete.
per request.
"PM me with the best method to upload the 18 images."
Photos taken 07/19/2013 10:50 AM
I hate Captcha.
"PM me with the best method to upload the 18 images."
Photos taken 07/19/2013 10:50 AM
I hate Captcha.
remaining images
Remainder of images
Photos taken 07/19/2013 10:51 AM
Be careful with the forward facing camera.
Remainder of images
Photos taken 07/19/2013 10:51 AM
Be careful with the forward facing camera.
I was recently forced to perform my own screen replacement due to drop damage, and nobody in my country seems to have access to the spare parts or have done this before. From my own reading, many of the tear-down steps shown at iFixit for the Nexus 4 also apply to my E975 Optimus G. You may find also similar videos on YouTube.
On iFixit's page for Optimus G is also a link to a PDF file. This seems to be some kind of service procedure, and it's worked for me.
Photos of my repair work can be found at http(s)www(dot)facebook(dot)com/media/set/?set=a.10151721334369826.1073741827.515234825&type=1&l=3ca1fa7f06. I ordered and used the replacement part from Etradesupply.com which also comes with the front housing, saving me from having to use a heat-gun, which was very promptly shipped to me.
This was the first time I attempted any repair on a mobile phone, and I was very nervous. But these resources have helped me tremendously. I hope you guys will find it useful too.
(As a new user here, I was banned from posting links ... so it was all removed from my message)
On iFixit's page for Optimus G is also a link to a PDF file. This seems to be some kind of service procedure, and it's worked for me.
Photos of my repair work can be found at http(s)www(dot)facebook(dot)com/media/set/?set=a.10151721334369826.1073741827.515234825&type=1&l=3ca1fa7f06. I ordered and used the replacement part from Etradesupply.com which also comes with the front housing, saving me from having to use a heat-gun, which was very promptly shipped to me.
This was the first time I attempted any repair on a mobile phone, and I was very nervous. But these resources have helped me tremendously. I hope you guys will find it useful too.
(As a new user here, I was banned from posting links ... so it was all removed from my message)
I want to buy the same screen with the front housing from etrade too but it says it's out of stock, how could you buy it?
I just checked because you said so, the E970 screen + assembly is sold out, but for E975 it's still in stock.
It really annoyed me when last week they had a discount/promotion and sold the same item I bought for $89 at $72.
I msg the seller and the details on the camera was that it was the Canadian gsm version and that it was 13mp.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-LG-OPTIMUS-G-E971-E973-REPLACEMENT-ORIGINAL-REAR-FACING-CAMERA-/141007094013?pt=US_Cell_Phone_Replacement_Parts_Tools&hash=item20d4ad80fd
Wow
Awesome post, definitely a huge thank button for that, I even laugh seeing a SAMSUNG chip on this phone
Awesome post, definitely a huge thank button for that, I even laugh seeing a SAMSUNG chip on this phone
Screen + Digitizer Replacement completed
It took me a while to make the decision to take the leap and pry open my phone, but I did it and all seems to be working so far... (knock on wood). I was originally going to take it to a local repair shop but they didn't have the parts and short of me looking over their shoulder I can't be sure what they're going to do. In any case, consulting this forum helped me get started in the right direction so thanks to everyone who posted here.
Good news: 2 videos are available on youtube for the E970 (AT&T version) AND etradesupply seems to have restocked the screen + digitizer + case assembly
The first video is more thorough with audio commentary.
Title: LG Optimus G E970 Screen Replacement Repair Guide (by RepairsUniverse)
watch?v=-XCAsHJ6t4Y
In case anything is unclear, as it was for me, consult the second video. The approaches are slightly different.
Title: LG Optimus G E970 Screen Replacement (by LifeLineRepairs)
watch?v=TMFf3CSrTgw
The part that I worked with is the LCD Screen + Digitizer Assembly with Front Housing. This includes the metal front and side metal frame that houses everything minus the back panel. You can save a couple bucks by getting just the LCD Screen + Digitizer Assembly but that requires heating and removal of the display/digitizer from the housing and installing the new one with "adhesive strips" and I didn't really want to down that route.
etradesupply seems to have restocked their supply just days after I ordered mine from ebay so I can't vouch for etradesupply, personally, but they're referenced in numerous places. The seller I ordered from on ebay is eoqkr153 and ships fast and free. The part seems genuine OEM, brand new and in perfect working order. Coincidentally my original LCD had a dead pixel (after I dropped the phone) and it annoyed the heck out of me. Also, etradesupply is cheaper.
* FEW THINGS TO NOTE:
- The part did not come with any tools, but ebay has tons available. I got a set for $3 including expedited shipping and came with 4 torx drivers, the pry tool (flimsy but got the job done) and some other stuff.
- The first video sort of glossed over the removal of the front-facing camera so watch the second video for reference. (Sorry, I didn't have the presence of mind to take pictures during the repair.)
- As the video says, be gentle and patient with the battery. I bent mine ever so slightly, but it survived the transfer.
- The videos don't cover the SIM / SD card door. My part didn't come with one attached so I removed it from the old frame. It's pretty self explanatory and doesn't require any tools.
- When reassembling, be sure to tuck in the antenna wires snug into the frame, especially the shorter black one on the left side (when LCD side is facing down). I didn't do this and the wire was getting in the way of one of the clips when I was trying to put the back panel back on.
Good luck.
It took me a while to make the decision to take the leap and pry open my phone, but I did it and all seems to be working so far... (knock on wood). I was originally going to take it to a local repair shop but they didn't have the parts and short of me looking over their shoulder I can't be sure what they're going to do. In any case, consulting this forum helped me get started in the right direction so thanks to everyone who posted here.
Good news: 2 videos are available on youtube for the E970 (AT&T version) AND etradesupply seems to have restocked the screen + digitizer + case assembly
The first video is more thorough with audio commentary.
Title: LG Optimus G E970 Screen Replacement Repair Guide (by RepairsUniverse)
watch?v=-XCAsHJ6t4Y
In case anything is unclear, as it was for me, consult the second video. The approaches are slightly different.
Title: LG Optimus G E970 Screen Replacement (by LifeLineRepairs)
watch?v=TMFf3CSrTgw
The part that I worked with is the LCD Screen + Digitizer Assembly with Front Housing. This includes the metal front and side metal frame that houses everything minus the back panel. You can save a couple bucks by getting just the LCD Screen + Digitizer Assembly but that requires heating and removal of the display/digitizer from the housing and installing the new one with "adhesive strips" and I didn't really want to down that route.
etradesupply seems to have restocked their supply just days after I ordered mine from ebay so I can't vouch for etradesupply, personally, but they're referenced in numerous places. The seller I ordered from on ebay is eoqkr153 and ships fast and free. The part seems genuine OEM, brand new and in perfect working order. Coincidentally my original LCD had a dead pixel (after I dropped the phone) and it annoyed the heck out of me. Also, etradesupply is cheaper.
* FEW THINGS TO NOTE:
- The part did not come with any tools, but ebay has tons available. I got a set for $3 including expedited shipping and came with 4 torx drivers, the pry tool (flimsy but got the job done) and some other stuff.
- The first video sort of glossed over the removal of the front-facing camera so watch the second video for reference. (Sorry, I didn't have the presence of mind to take pictures during the repair.)
- As the video says, be gentle and patient with the battery. I bent mine ever so slightly, but it survived the transfer.
- The videos don't cover the SIM / SD card door. My part didn't come with one attached so I removed it from the old frame. It's pretty self explanatory and doesn't require any tools.
- When reassembling, be sure to tuck in the antenna wires snug into the frame, especially the shorter black one on the left side (when LCD side is facing down). I didn't do this and the wire was getting in the way of one of the clips when I was trying to put the back panel back on.
Good luck.
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24So I was bored last night and decided to take apart my OG. I took pictures of the process (Other than removing the back, sorry!). I mostly took pictures of the mainboard, along with closeups of all of the chips.
Bad news:
- The screen doesn't seem easy to replace at all, I didn't even take it out because there was no obvious way to get it out.
- The battery is stuck to the back of the screen with adhesive tape. I was able to remove it but I had to be very careful.
Here is the URL to the gallery:
(Thanks bleached for a link post work around!)
P.S. Once I have enough posts to embed images I will post the high res versions in this thread.
Cheers!11
Here's some communication between me and the seller:
I guess they're saying they jacked the price up so no one would buy because they're out of stock? Seems like a flimsy excuse to me. But I guess there's hope the price will go back down at some point.1I stumbled on this site a while back and last month or so I saw this, .http://www.etradesupply.com/oem-lg-optimus-g-e970-e973-ls970-lcd-screen-and-digitizer-assembly.html I would pay that just to get rid of the LG logo.
-edit- Still waiting for the back plates to surface.
