Google Nexus 5 mainboard repair guide

Water damage. Remove the logic board

In this repair guide, we show you how to remove your Nexus 5’s logic board on your own. You need to remove the logic board if you want to clean it after water damage, for example.

Required tools

Menda ESD Spudger

Menda ESD Spudger

You need a flat plastic prying tool to disconnect the various plugs and connectors.
from €26.38 on Amazon
Pick Set

Pick Set

You need a flat but stable tool such as a pick to pry out parts that are glued in place.
from €14.99 on Amazon
Phillips PH00 screwdriver

Phillips PH00 screwdriver

You need the right screwdriver for removing PH00 screws.
from €10.84 on Amazon

Required replacement part

Google Nexus 5 Logic Board

Google Nexus 5 Logic Board

on Amazon

Show all replacement parts for the Google Nexus 5

Steps

13 Steps

Removing the back cover

Step 1

Removing the plastic cover

Step 2

Removing the headphone output

Step 3

Removing the earpiece

Step 4

Disconnecting the connectors

Step 5

Removing the SIM card tray

Step 6

Removing the logic board

Step 7

Installing the logic board

Step 8

Connecting the connectors

Step 9

Installing the earpiece

Step 10

Installing the headphone output

Step 11

Attaching the plastic cover

Step 12

Attaching the back cover

Step 13

Getting started with the repair of your Google Nexus 5

If you get stuck or have questions, you can post a comment. We’d be happy to help.

13 steps

Removing the back cover
Insert the hard plastic pick into the gap next to the volume button. You have to disconnect the 18 retaining clips on the outside under the back cover. Move the pick once around the entire smartphone. Work your way from the volume button past the headphone output to the SIM card tray. The back cover is easier to detach at that point. You have to use a little more force at some spots.

Then you can take off the back cover.
Removing the plastic cover
Remove the 6 Phillips screws that hold the plastic cover in place (see figure 1).
6 x 4.0 mm Phillips screws

Now lift the cover off the logic board by inserting the spudger into the gap next to the headphone output (see figure 2). If necessary, use other leverage points.
Removing the headphone output
The headphone output is just slightly clamped in the plastic frame. Insert the pointed tip of the spudger into the output and carefully lift it out.
Removing the earpiece
The earpiece is also only slightly stuck in the plastic frame. Use the pointed tip of the spudger and carefully lift the earpiece on the side.
Disconnecting the connectors
LCD

USB port

Battery

Front camera

Rear camera

4 × Antenna

Now you can disconnect the highlighted connectors. Be very careful (see figure 1).
Make sure you don’t break off the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board.

Place the flat end of the spudger very slightly below the connectors and pry them offf. The pictures show where you should put the spudger to avoid breaking off the little resistors even if it slips (see figures 2 to 6).

Now also disconnect the little antenna connectors from the logic board (see figures 7 and 8).
Removing the SIM card tray
You can use the SIM Tool or a paperclip to remove the SIM card tray. Press the SIM Tool into the small hole in the SIM card tray to remove it.

Removing the logic board
Now you can carefully lift the logic board using the spudger (see figure 1). Insert the flat end of the spudger below the GPS antenna’s contacts, carefully lift it and then remove it by hand (see figure 2).
Installing the logic board
Carefully put the logic board back in, making sure it’s in the right position.

Make sure the antenna connectors don’t get under the logic board.
Connecting the connectors
LCD

USB port

Battery

Front camera

Rear camera

4 × Antenna

Now plug the the disconnected contacts to their sockets. Use your finger to carefully press them into place. Only use as much pressure as you need for the contacts to gently click into place.
Now connect the antenna connectors, if required.
Installing the earpiece
Now put the earpiece back in the appropriate position. The adhesive strip should still be sticky enough.
Installing the headphone output
Now put the new headphone output in the appropriate position. Carefully press on the part between the earpiece and the logic board. This step is a bit tricky.
Attaching the plastic cover
Put the black plastic cover on the logic board and gently press it on.

Fasten the 6 Phillips screws that hold the cover in place again.
6 x 4.0 mm Phillips screws
Attaching the back cover
It’s very easy to put the back cover back on. Put it on in the correct position and press it on all the way around until it’s completely clicked into place.