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Motherboard Desoldering

Prerequisite Only
This guide is only intended to be used as a prerequisite for other guides. It's incomplete by itself.

Introduction

Follow this guide to desolder the motherboard from the vibration motors on a Sony DualSense controller.

This is a prerequisite-only guide! This guide is part of another procedure and is not meant to be used alone.

What you need

  1. Motherboard Desoldering, Unclip the right end of the middle trim: step 1, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Desoldering, Unclip the right end of the middle trim: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect and power down your controller before you begin.

    • Insert an opening pick underneath the middle trim at the bottom-right corner of the controller to release the clips securing it to the case.

    Edit

  2. Motherboard Desoldering, Unclip the lower-right edge of the middle trim: step 2, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Unclip the lower-right edge of the middle trim: step 2, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Unclip the lower-right edge of the middle trim: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Slide the opening pick along the lower-right edge of the middle trim to release the clips securing it to the case.

    Edit

  3. Motherboard Desoldering, Unclip the left end of the middle trim: step 3, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Desoldering, Unclip the left end of the middle trim: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Insert an opening pick underneath the middle trim at the bottom-left corner of the controller to release the clips securing it to the case.

    Edit

  4. Motherboard Desoldering, Unclip the lower-left edge of the middle trim: step 4, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Unclip the lower-left edge of the middle trim: step 4, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Unclip the lower-left edge of the middle trim: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Slide the opening pick along the lower-left edge of the middle trim to release the clips securing it to the case.

    Edit

  5. Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the middle trim: step 5, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the middle trim: step 5, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the middle trim: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Use your fingers to lift up the bottom edge of the middle trim to release the remaining clips.

    • Lift the middle trim over the joysticks to remove it.

    Edit

  6. Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the L1 button: step 6, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the L1 button: step 6, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the L1 button: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • With one hand, grip the controller and use your thumb to hold down the left trigger.

    • With your free hand, insert the flat end of a spudger between the L1 and L2 buttons.

    • Use the spudger to gently pry the L1 button away from the controller and remove it, holding your finger over the button so it doesn't eject.

    Edit

  7. Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the R1 button: step 7, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the R1 button: step 7, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the R1 button: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Repeat the previous step to remove the R1 button.

    Edit

  8. Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the rear case screws: step 8, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the rear case screws: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.4 mm screws securing the bottom corners of the lower case.

    Edit

  9. Motherboard Desoldering: step 9, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Desoldering: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 6.4 mm screws behind the L1 and R1 buttons.

    Edit

  10. Motherboard Desoldering, Separate the rear case: step 10, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Separate the rear case: step 10, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Separate the rear case: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Be gently when releasing the rear cover clips—they're delicate and can easily break.

    • Use the point of a spudger to release the two clips on either side of the headset jack.

    Edit

  12. Motherboard Desoldering: step 11, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering: step 11, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering: step 11, image 3 of 3

    • Tight plastic clips secure the left and right edges of the rear case.

    • Insert the flat end of a spudger between the front and rear shells near the bottom of the left edge.

    • Slide the spudger along the left edge and gently pry the shells apart to release the clips.

    Edit

  13. Motherboard Desoldering: step 12, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering: step 12, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering: step 12, image 3 of 3

    • Repeat the previous step on the right edge to release its clips.

    Edit

  14. Motherboard Desoldering: step 13, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Desoldering: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Lay your controller upside down so the joysticks are on your work surface.

    • Hold the controller down with your fingers and use your thumbs to lift the rear case away from the controller to fully separate it.

    Edit

  15. Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the rear case: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the rear case.

    Edit

  16. Motherboard Desoldering, Disconnect the battery: step 15, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Desoldering, Disconnect the battery: step 15, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to disconnect the battery from the motherboard.

    • Grip the connector, not the wires, when disconnecting.

    Edit

  17. Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the battery: step 16, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the battery: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the battery straight out of the battery bracket.

    Edit

  18. Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the lower microphone: step 17, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the lower microphone: step 17, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Grab the lower microphone ribbon cable pull tab with your fingers or a pair of tweezers and disconnect it from the motherboard.

    Edit

  19. Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the battery bracket: step 18, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the battery bracket: step 18, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 6.4 mm screw securing the battery bracket.

    Edit

  20. Motherboard Desoldering: step 19, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Desoldering: step 19, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the battery bracket out of the motherboard.

    Edit

  21. Motherboard Desoldering, Disconnect the right trigger assembly: step 20, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Desoldering, Disconnect the right trigger assembly: step 20, image 2 of 2

    • Grip the right trigger assembly ribbon cable pull tab with a pair of tweezers or your fingers and pull up to disconnect it from the motherboard.

    • Do not completely remove the ribbon cable yet.

    Edit

  22. Motherboard Desoldering: step 21, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Desoldering: step 21, image 2 of 2

    • Grip the right trigger assembly ribbon cable pull tab with a pair of tweezers or your fingers, and pull up to disconnect it from the trigger assembly.

    • Remove the ribbon cable.

    Edit

  23. Motherboard Desoldering, Disconnect the left trigger assembly: step 22, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Desoldering, Disconnect the left trigger assembly: step 22, image 2 of 2

    • Grip the left trigger assembly ribbon cable pull tab with a pair of tweezers or your fingers and pull up to disconnect it from the motherboard.

    • Do not completely remove the ribbon cable yet.

    Edit

  24. Motherboard Desoldering: step 23, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Desoldering: step 23, image 2 of 2

    • Grip the left trigger assembly ribbon cable pull tab with a pair of tweezers or your fingers, and pull up to disconnect it from the trigger assembly.

    • Remove the ribbon cable.

    Edit

  25. Motherboard Desoldering, Disconnect the upper microphone: step 24, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Desoldering, Disconnect the upper microphone: step 24, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to grip the upper microphone ribbon cable pull tab, and pull up to disconnect it from the motherboard.

    Edit

  26. Motherboard Desoldering, Disconnect the touchpad: step 25, image 1 of 2 Motherboard Desoldering, Disconnect the touchpad: step 25, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to grip the touchpad ribbon cable pull tab, and pull it straight out of the motherboard connector.

    Edit

  27. Motherboard Desoldering, Lift out the motherboard: step 26, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Lift out the motherboard: step 26, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Lift out the motherboard: step 26, image 3 of 3

    • Carefully guide the joysticks through the front case and lift the motherboard out.

    • Do not completely remove the motherboard. There are four soldered wires tethering the motherboard to the vibrator motors.

    Edit

  28. Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the speaker: step 27, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the speaker: step 27, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Remove the speaker: step 27, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the speaker from the controller midframe.

    • Be sure to reinstall the speaker in the correct orientation with the foam pad on the left side and the gold contact points on the right.

    Edit

  29. Motherboard Desoldering, Desolder the vibration motors: step 28, image 1 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Desolder the vibration motors: step 28, image 2 of 3 Motherboard Desoldering, Desolder the vibration motors: step 28, image 3 of 3

    • The next few steps require desoldering and soldering connections. To learn how to solder, check out our soldering guide—if you've already soldered, you can still find some helpful tips and tricks in this guide!

    • Flip over the controller and motherboard.

    • Use a soldering iron to desolder the vibration motor wires from the motherboard:

    • Two red wires

    • Two black wires

    • During reassembly, remember to solder the wires back into the same position. The red wires belong closest to the edge and next to the Rs on the motherboard.

    Edit

  30. Motherboard Desoldering: step 29, image 1 of 1

    • Separate the controller from the motherboard.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

One other person completed this guide.

Author

with 1 other contributor

Sam Omiotek

Member since: 02/25/19

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