TIPS: Remembering how all the parts fit back together when hacking your electronics.

**MatrixPC** · 12-09-2005, 11:01 AM

I learned this tip from the day I open the Lilliput shipment from the post man.
After so many people having problem putting the ribbon cable back when crack open their Lilliputs, their Lilliput screw up (no power, blank, dead.)
Digital camera is your best friend. Cellphone camera too, not so good quality but better than nothing.

- When you crack open that expensive screen, take snapshot of all screws and where they are suppose to be. Snapshot all connector before and after you unplug it

_ The same tips apply to cracking open the car dashboard/console. If you unsure, snapshot where each screws/bolts/nuts are. Car connectors is a one way fit only. There are no 2 identical connector in the same area. This is what my Toyotas are. Other makers probably do the same. But to be sure yourself, take a snapshot of any connector before unplug.

You will never know when you need those pictures.
Ever visit a car garage? And wonder why the shop have soooo MANY nuts/bolts/screw laying around the corner? Because they can't remember where the **** each screws/nuts/bolts are and end up with a few extra in hand and they just tossed in that corner.

I took snapshot of all steps when I crack open my Lilliput and has 0 (ZERO) problem with when re-assemble it together while others are crying WTF wrong with my screen.

**EsKALad** · 12-09-2005, 11:03 AM

good idea!

**mushin** · 12-09-2005, 03:28 PM

Yeah. I use the same tactic when rewiring electronics. Helps keep track of what wire went where.

**tj!2k4** · 12-09-2005, 04:21 PM

good info, should posted this in the faq emporium..

**turbocad6** · 12-09-2005, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by MatrixPC

Ever visit a car garage? And wonder why the shop have soooo MANY nuts/bolts/screw laying around the corner? Because they can't remember where the **** each screws/nuts/bolts are and end up with a few extra in hand and they just tossed in that corner.

common' man, were not THAT bad.... those screws weren't really critical anyway

**Bugbyte** · 12-10-2005, 02:15 PM

A great tip. Make sure your pictures are large and clear enough to see some of the details. Here's an example of how I used this technique when pulling my Xenar apart to fit it into my custom housing.

This is a scaled down version of the picture. Turns out this photo was very useful to me in making sure the ribbon cable went back in the proper way.

**kirbycope** · 12-15-2005, 04:09 PM

As for taking off panels of interior to get to your speakers, etc. I like to have painters tape(leaves no residue)
-label the screw by wrapping tape around it and writing a letter
-place tape next to the screw hole on the panel with the same letter

This may take an extra 30 sec a screw, but with 10 screws, you wont have to guess where they go during reassembly and no screws left over. I learned this the hard way in my 944, rear passingers side panel rattled becasue I left out two screws...

**Gearhead61** · 05-03-2006, 09:51 AM

If you take it apart and put it back together with pieces left over, you just made it more efficient!

This is good advice. Sometimes I just put the screws back in the holes where they go, depending on whether i can work around them or not.

**PTSchram** · 07-09-2006, 04:02 PM

I run one of those shops... When I'm involved, there are no left over parts due to a coupla things.

1: Observation skills-pay attention!!!

2: Organization. We use a number of different methods including computer labels and a sharpie.

3: Keep everything separate that needs to be separated, keep everything together that needs to be together.

4: If you take it apart and the bolts/nuts/screws can be put back into their holes, PUT THEM BACK. It won't take that long to remove them to reassemble.

5: Finish one job before beginning the next.

6: Zip-Lock baggies and your Sharpie are your friend. Label everything, you might not remember where it came from and where it goes.

PT

**pRoFiT** · 07-09-2006, 05:15 PM

I pulled out the engine on my F-150. I used pictures and masking tape on every part i could think of. I used plastic bags to combine nuts bolts and screws that needed to be together.

In the end i gave up and sold the truck with all the parts. I hope all i did helps them