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How to Take Stuff Apart

By Dan Ramsey

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 03Apr2009
Word count: 989
Viewed: 239 time(s)

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Stuff breaks! Fixing it means that you have to take it apart. But how?

No matter what you're fixing, you can save time and frustration by spending some time on planning. Once you've figured out what's wrong with it, gathered the parts and tools, and planned when and where you'll fix it, the repair is more than half done. The actual repair is relatively easy.

It really helps if you have the owner's manual. Not only do product manuals typically include a troubleshooting chart, some also have a drawing of the product with specific information about parts, including numbers, and where to get them. Drawings typically are exploded views that show how the item is assembled--quite handy for taking it apart and putting it back together.

Many consumer products include information about the model and serial number. The model number indicates which design it is; the serial number is unique to each item. For example, a video camera model number may be CCD-TRV87 and the serial number 74596. The manufacturer, Sony in this case, probably made at least 74,000 of these units numbered from 00001 to whatever. (It could have started numbering anywhere, actually.) Though the model number is the same for all of them, the manufacturer may have made a slight modification in parts at, say, the fifty thousandth unit, so the serial number is important.

Knowing model and serial numbers is important to finding replacement parts that fit. These numbers typically are included on a plate or stamping on an underside of the product. Ovens often have them on a plate attached to the inside of a door jamb. In addition, major components, such as a motor, typically include a model and probably a serial number that can be used to find a replacement. It's often helpful to take the part you need to replace to the parts store with you.

You will dramatically reduce the time needed to fix things if you have a handy place and a set of tools to do the job. Even if it's just a cardboard box with a few tools in it, having a regular work place will simplify the repair.

Disassembling things is an important part of repair. You'll want to be able to reassemble an item properly whether it's done today, tomorrow, or once you've found some parts a month from now. Here are tips for smart disassembly:

* Find a place where you can leave everything out for an hour or a day, if you need to stop and get additional parts.
* Make notes on disassembly and needed parts numbers.
* For tougher repairs or when you know it will be awhile before you can get replacement parts, use a film or digital camera to take photos of the disassembly process.
* If you know you will be reassembling everything within the next couple of hours, lay the parts in a line as they come off, left to right, and reassemble right to left.
* Use old muffin pans, empty frozen dinner dishes, clean coffee cans, or other containers to collect parts as they are removed.

Here's a tip: Make notes and diagrams as you disassemble any item. Jot down model numbers and parts numbers. Then when it comes time to shop for parts and then re-assembling the item, even if it's a few weeks later, you'll be prepared.

Intimidated by what you see when you open up something to fix it? Don't be. Most things are made of components, more than one part. And each of these components is replaceable. It's just a matter if figuring how the thing works, which parts or components don't work, and replacing the problem part(s). Many fix-it guides include photos or drawings that let you see what's inside the device or object--you'll know what you're getting in to.

Most parts either twist on or plug in. For example, disassembling an appliance requires untwisting (unscrewing) fasteners that hold the outside body together. Once inside, you may need to unscrew or unplug other parts. Many components are plugged together, especially electrical parts. For example, a couple of wires enter one side of a plastic plug and other wires run out the other side. To disconnect the part, find a tab on the connector and lift it or apply pressure to it and carefully pull the connector apart. Install the replacement component by plugging the two halves of the connector together. Most connectors go together only one way, so it's relatively easy.You'll find that many consumer items are assembled using screws, clips, or both. In fact, if you don't find a screw or clip, the manufacturer is probably telling you there's nothing inside that the consumer can fix. You may be able to replace the entire component, however.

Some parts may be hard to remove because they are friction-fit (fit snugly) to a shaft. Don't force friction-fit parts; they may break. Instead, use a wide-bladed screwdriver under the coupling to carefully twist and lift the coupling upward. If that doesn't work, try heating the coupling slightly (try a hair dryer) to expand the part enough to pull it from the shaft. Or slip a pair of thin wood wedges under the coupling. Then push the wedges toward each other and lift. If none of these succeeds in separating the friction-fit part from the shaft, you may have to take the appliance to a professional.

Some manufacturers use a pressure clip to hold a product's case together. To disassemble, look for a notch along the seam and insert the tip of a straight screwdriver to push and turn the clip, opening the case. Make sure you unclip all of the notches and remove all screws before disassembling the body or you could break one of the small clips.

Read the manual, take your time, and make notes when taking stuff apart. That's the key to disassembling things that break -- and putting them back together as good as new.

Dan Ramsey is the the author of Common Repairs Made Easy! and 90 other how-to books. Dan also is president of FixItClub.com, offering simple instructions and tips on troubleshooting and repairing or recycling household things that break.

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