To anyone that has accidentally broken off the volume buttons from their X3 after removing the circuit board.
I just got done fixing my broken X3. I had accidentally sheared off both volume buttons from the circuit board when I did the colored button swap mod. I was in a rush and I was not careful, so it was totally my fault.
Anyways, the total repair time was about 20-30 minutes. Total cost was $0.48usd. And best of all, the repair involves ZERO SOLDERING.
I repeat - NO SOLDERING WHATSOEVER.
The switches are made of 3 parts: the actual SMD micro switch, a plastic 'button' that pushes the switch, and a metal cover that goes over the plastic button. Think of it like a hamburger: the bottom bun is the SMD micro switch. The middle burger is the plastic 'button'. The top bun is the metal cover that sandwiches everything together.
Since the actual part that shears off is the middle part (the plastic 'button'), it's possible to harvest the plastic 'button' from GOOD switches, and transplant them into the stock broken switch. And all this requires no soldering.
You will also need some crazy powerful magnification. I used reading glasses AND a pair of jeweler's optivisors (available from Amazon, and are helpful for all sorts of things). You could also perhaps use a digital microscope. But there's no way you can do this with the naked eye. The parts are smaller than a grain of rice.
If you break anything, it's not my fault. Do it at your own risk. However, since this is intended to help you repair an already broken/worthless X3, what do you have to lose?
Basically, the steps I followed were:
1. Order the correct switches from Aliexpress ($1 for 5pcs). The part # you want to order (from this seller at least) is
AJ-070:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Pow...-515-520-525-Nokia-8800-6288/32630894610.html
The size of the actual switch is 3.5mm (L) x 3.5mm (W) x 1.3mm (H), as seen below:
2. Once they arrived, I carefully disassembled the actual switches. To do this you gently pry the metal tabs on 1 end of the switch's metal top cover (ie the 'top bun') using a sewing needle or syringe needle. The only part we're saving for reuse is the grey plastic thing in the middle (ie the same part that shears off on the X3). This is the 'middle burger' in my analogy above.
Also, don't BEND the heck out of the metal tabs, but rather just apply just enough gentle prying pressure that they 'spring up' and unlock.
3. Use the appropriate screwdriver (with Torx bit, etc) to remove the circuit board (including disconnecting the battery).
4. Now CAREFULLY pry the metal tabs from the metal cover (ie the 'top bun') of the stock X3's broken switches using a sewing needle or syringe needle. The metal cover will pop off on 1 side only. Use the tweezers and remove the cover totally and set aside. Be careful not to break the body of the stock switch!
Also, don't BEND the heck out of the metal tabs, but rather just apply just enough gentle prying pressure that they 'spring up' and unlock.
5. Now use your tweezers and remove the broken plastic piece (ie the 'middle burger').
6. Take the GOOD plastic piece that you removed from the NEW switches in step 2 above, and using the tweezers insert them into place in the switch (ie the 'middle burger').
Note the orientation of the plastic switch. Be careful not to install it upside down! Carefully look at one of the 3 NIB Aliexpress switches to see what direction the plastic button goes!!
7a. Replace the metal cover (ie the 'top bun') that you removed in step 4 back onto the stock switch. Be aware of the direction it goes. It only goes on 1 correct direction! Carefully look at one of the 3 NIB Aliexpress switches to see what direction the metal cover goes on. In the very center of the metal cover, there's a metal 'tongue' that bends down. This metal tongue must be pointing in the correct direction for the switch to function properly.
Again, double check one of the 3 NIB Aliexpress switches to see what direction the metal cover goes on!! You can see the metal 'tongue' in the photos below.
7b. Assuming you didn't bend the tabs of the metal cover, it will snap right back onto the stock switch. It will be helpful to attach it at an angle - hooking the metal tabs from one side (using the tweezers) at a 45 degree angle. Then swing the metal cover down and snap the metal tabs on the other side of the switch. If that sounds confusing, think of it like how you close a toilet seat.
8. Once both stock X3 switches are repaired, CAREFULLY reinstall the circuit board. MAKE SURE NOT TO BREAK THE VOLUME SWITCHES AGAIN! If you do happen to break the volume switches again, no worries. Just repeat steps 2-8 again (since you bought 5 switches, you have 3 extras).
9. Reconnect the battery and replace the back of the X3.
10. Turn it on and test everything. It should be working perfectly again!
Sorry I didn't take any pics. The size of these parts are soooooo small, I wasn't really able to photograph the process.
Here's photos of the switches below. In the photos, you can make out the metal tabs from the top cover, the plastic button, etc.
See how the metal tongue bends back on only 1 specific direction? Make sure you put it back that exact same way!!!
I hope this is helpful to someone else! I know there's been a number of people that have broken their X3. Some have even tried to resolder new switches and managed to break it even more (it's a very difficult solder job).
