A couple tips:
Do not pull on the clip while pulling the shell off. I tried doing that and the clip instantly broke off.
Next, do not super glue the area where the connection is being lost with the motherboard. I tried that instead of soldering and it didn't work holding the connection, just ended up with the motherboard having super glue on it. I will probably try scraping off the glue and soldering later when I have assistance.
I am going to buy a new Clip+, unfortunately. I have used this MP3 player, my first Clip+, since may 2010 almost every day. It has been through countless runs, workouts, bike rides, car rides, drops, pressures, button presses, charges and discharges and so on. When I get the new Clip+ I will treat it well and keep the original safe.
I have been through so many life changing experiences with this MP3 player; I truly feel like I am losing a great companion. It is just such an amazing device, and so worth the $60 I spent new on it. It is probably the best $60 I have ever and will ever spend on an electronic device. Its spirit will live on in the new Clip+
And yes, the Clip Zip has almost an identical layout inside. The audio jack socket is exactly the same and has the exact same soldering problem at the same spot.
http://img.elektrokrishna.com/images/23317636826245781269.jpg
On the left of the socket, you see two metal spots, the upper end for the left channel, and I'm guessing the lower or the right side is for the right channel. These solders aren't permanent and with a lot of use one will eventually become loose.
I'm guessing Sandisk does this on purpose. They know the solder won't give until after a year when the warranty is out, so you buy another one. If you look at the USB port, you will notice Sandisk attached padding to keep it in place, yet they didn't for the audio jack.
*EDIT* I scraped off of some of the glue and used a small screw driver to try and make a solid connection at the left channel, and what do you know; the glue that is still applied keeps the contact tight but now I can hear a full, stereo sound through my headphones. I guess I won't solder at this point if this holds for me. There is probably glue I can't scrape off that would melt if I tried soldering. I super glued a very thin pad above the jack casing to keep it from being able to wiggle around, so if the glue ever wears I won't need to open up again. The pad made that corner of the shell not able to clip in and stay tight so I super glued the edge around the corner shut
And just for the hell of it, I tried super gluing the hell out of the broken clip and attaching the clip back onto the player. It holds well but has little flexibility. I am hoping it works for a while XD