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Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Hinges Replacement

Device	Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP
Difficulty	Moderate
Time	1 - 2 hours
Steps	33

This guide is by Spencer Day on iFixit and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0. ByteRot mirrors it for non-commercial preservation: formatting changed and photos resized for old browsers; full-size photos and the text are on the FTP in /DOCS/REPAIR. Original guide >>

Follow this guide to replace the hinges (aka hinge barrels or hinge axles) in your Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP.

If your Game Boy Advance SP doesn't open and close smoothly or the screen won't stay open on its own, you may need to replace the hinges.

The Game Boy Advance SP uses JIS screws. If you use a non-iFixit Phillips driver in JIS screws, you'll risk stripping them. iFixit's Phillips bits are designed to be compatible with JIS screws.

Tools: iFixit Precision Bit Driver; JIS 00 Screwdriver Bit; Tri-point Y0 Screwdriver Bit; Spudger; Angled Tweezers

Step 1 :: Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly

• Slide the power switch to the OFF position and unplug any cables.
• If you have a game cartridge in, remove it.

Step 2 :: Remove the battery cover

• Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to loosen the captive screw securing the battery cover.
• NOTE: You can try to use a non-iFixit Phillips driver in a pinch, but you risk damaging or stripping the screw. Push down firmly on the driver and twist slowly.

Step 3

• Lift the edge of the cover near the screw and remove the cover.
• REMINDER: During reassembly, hook the tabs on the bottom edge of the cover into their slots and lay the cover into place.

Step 4 :: Remove the battery

• Use your finger to lift the battery by the tab on its left edge, then remove it.
• REMINDER: During reassembly:
    • CAUTION: Never reuse a deformed or damaged battery--it's a fire hazard. Replace it with a new battery.
    • NOTE: Your replacement battery may come with a plastic enclosure (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/AjbNiXYo4IjHmjmi.full) that slides over the battery.
    • Insert the edge of the battery with contacts (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/cJ4ZcVQRCO6Kk1Jg.full) at a slight downward angle--aligning the contacts with their prongs (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/N2qYpL2LmeRFSh1F.full) in the recess--and press the battery into place.

Step 5 :: Remove the bottom shell

• Use a tri?point Y0 screwdriver to remove the six screws securing the bottom shell:
• Four 6.3 mm?long recessed screws
• Two 4.6 mm?long screws

Step 6

• Lift the bottom shell straight up and remove it.

Step 7 :: Remove the power switch cover

• Use your fingers to lift and remove the power switch cover.
• REMINDER: During reassembly:
    • Use your fingers to put the power switch cover (notched side up) into place so the cutout goes around the actual switch (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/K5mXTLbSGyAbw3j4.full).
    • Gently slide the cover back and forth to make sure it's positioned properly and moving the switch.
        • NOTE: If the switch isn't properly in its cutout, you won't be able to power on your Game Boy.

Step 8 :: Remove the motherboard screws

• Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to remove the three 4.1 mm?long screws securing the motherboard.

Step 9 :: Prop up the motherboard

• Place a sturdy object such as a stack of books or tool case along the edge of your Game Boy with the hinges.
• Use your fingers to gently flip the motherboard over the hinges and prop it up.

Step 10 :: Remove the silicone pads

• Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the four silicone pads covering the buttons (A and B, D?pad, brightness, and Start/Select).
• NOTE: If any of the pads are missing, they may be stuck to their corresponding spot on the motherboard.

Step 11 :: Remove the buttons

• Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the buttons (A and B, D?pad, brightness, and Start/Select).
• REMINDER: When re?inserting the action buttons, note that each one is keyed specifically for its recess and proper orientation.

Step 12 :: Remove the speaker

• Use the point of a spudger or a clean fingernail to lift the speaker until you can grip it with your fingers.
• Remove the speaker.

Step 13 :: Prop up the main body

• Remove the circular mesh from the speaker recess and set it aside--the piece can easily fall out and get lost when working.

Step 14 :: Prop up the main body

• CAUTION: Be careful not to strain the screen cable during the next few steps--it has very little slack.
• NOTE: You need to prop up the main body of your Game Boy in order to disconnect the screen cable without straining it. Here are two ways to do so:
• Option 1: Open the main body of your Game Boy to a 90?degree angle and gently lay the motherboard down. Make sure the main body is resting on top of the motherboard to give the cable slack.
• Option 2: Keep the main body closed and prop it up on the edge of the logic board, using a sturdy object to hold it up.

Step 15 :: Disconnect the screen cable

• Use the point of a spudger to push the two tabs on either side of the screen cable connector into the unlocked position.
• NOTE: Only push the tabs until they stop. If you push them too far, you may slide the locking tab off the connector.

Step 16

• Use a pair of tweezers to gently slide the screen cable out of its socket.

Step 17 :: Remove the main body

• Remove the main body from the motherboard.
• REMINDER: During reassembly, prop up the main body for enough slack reconnect the screen cable.

Step 18 :: Open your Game Boy

• Open your Game Boy to a 90?degree angle and set it down so the screen is facing up.

Step 19 :: Remove the rubber screw covers

• Use a pair of angled tweezers to pry up and remove all five rubber screw covers.
• NOTE: Removing old, brittle covers without damaging them can be tricky. Make sure to pry gently between the cover's edge and the frame--don't dig into the cover itself.

Step 20 :: Remove the screen screws

• Use a tri?point Y0 screwdriver to remove the five 4.7 mm?long screws securing screen shells together.

Step 21 :: Close the main body

• Fully close your Game Boy (the button cutouts should be on top).

Step 22 :: Remove the hinge cover screw

• Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to remove the 6.3 mm?long screw securing the hinge cover.
• NOTE: You may need to use your free hand to hold the screen cable out of the way.

Step 23 :: Flip your Game Boy over

• Flip your Game Boy over.

Step 24 :: Remove the hinge cover

• Use your fingers to lift and remove the hinge cover.

Step 25 :: Remove the top shell

• NOTE: Depending on the age of your device, the screen may stay attached to its outer shell. If it does, make sure to thread the cable through its cutout while removing the shell.
• Use your fingers to lift and remove the outer screen shell.

Step 26 :: Remove the screen

• Use your fingers to lift and remove the screen, threading the cable through its cutout.
• NOTE: If your screen stayed attached to the shell, you may need to gently pry it up with a spudger before removing it.
• REMINDER: During reassembly:
• Place the screen foam-side up into its recess, so the cable is near the hinges.
• Make one loop in the screen cable and then slide it through the cutout.

Step 27 :: Partially separate the hinges

• CAUTION: Don't try to force the hinges out of their sockets--you may damage the hinges, crack the shell, or injure yourself.
• Use the flat end of a spudger to push both hinges partially out of their sockets.
• NOTE: You only need to push the hinges out until you feel them click into place.

Step 28 :: Open the shell

• Full open the shell of your Game Boy.

Step 29 :: Remove the right hinge

• Use the point of a spudger to push the right hinge fully out of its socket and remove it.

Step 30 :: Remove the screen bezel

• Use your fingers to gently lift the right side of the screen bezel.
• Pull the screen bezel to the right--so it slides out of the left hinge--and remove it.

Step 31 :: Remove the left hinge

• Use your finger to push the left hinge out of its socket and remove it.

Step 32 :: Transfer the hinge caps

• NOTE: If your new hinges don't have caps installed on the end, follow this step to transfer them.
• Use your fingers to firmly slide the plastic caps off of the hinges, at a perpendicular angle to the hinge.
• NOTE: This may take some force, as the caps fit very tightly on the hinges.
• Slide your new caps onto the hinges until they click into place.
• NOTE: The caps are grooved so you can only slide them on when they're in the proper orientation.

Step 33 :: Install the hinges

• REMINDER: To install the hinges:
    • Put the inner screen shell into place, so it's in the closed position.
    • Use your fingers to partially insert both hinges--only push them until they stop.
    • Flip the inner screen shell into the open position.
    • Use your fingers to push both hinges fully into place.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order, starting with the screen step (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Nintendo+Game+Boy+Advance+SP+Hinges+Replacement/193217#s402153).

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler (https://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/E-Waste).

Repair didn't go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting (https://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/Troubleshooting_Problems_After_a_Repair), or ask our Answers Community (https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/Device/Game_Boy_Advance_SP) for troubleshooting help.

Credit