Kyocera Brigadier Teardown

Tools Required

• Tri-point Y0 Screwdriver (1)
• Phillips #00 Screwdriver (1)
• Tweezers (1)
• Spudger (1)

Step 1: Kyocera Brigadier Teardown Overview

This guide details the teardown of the Kyocera Brigadier phone. Tools needed include a Y0 screwdriver, P00 screwdriver, various metal pry tools, and precision tweezers. The phone is held together by sturdy clips and tough adhesive. The earpiece is hardwired to the screen, and the microphone is surface-mounted to the motherboard. Permissible repairs include battery replacement, full screen replacement, and replacement of button, charging, or memory/sim card covers. Charging door replacement is relatively easy, while other repairs are extremely difficult. Performing a drastic teardown will reduce the phone's water resistance upon reassembly.

Image Description: The Kyocera Brigadier smartphone is shown, displaying its front face with a cracked screen.

Step 2: Remove Case Screws

Remove the four screws located one in each corner of the phone. Use a Y0 screwdriver bit for this task.

Image Description: The Kyocera Brigadier phone is positioned for disassembly, with a screwdriver indicating the location of corner screws.

Step 3: Remove Bottom Button Cover

Pry up the bottom button cover. This can typically be done using fingernails.

Image Description: A hand is shown using a fingernail to carefully lift the bottom button cover of the Kyocera Brigadier.

Step 4: Remove Top Cover

Pry the top cover up, similar to how the bottom button array was handled. Skip this step if only replacing the charging cover.

Image Description: A hand is using a thin pry tool to lift the top cover of the Kyocera Brigadier.

Step 5: Access Back Plate

The two silver screws located at the bottom of the back plate are decorative and cannot be removed from this point.

Image Description: The rear of the Kyocera Brigadier phone is visible, showing the back plate and the location of non-removable decorative screws at the bottom.

Step 6: Charging Door Removal

Pry open the bottom section and lift out the charging door. If the door is broken, the tab still needs to be removed. If transferring a charging port door from another phone, repeat the preceding steps on that phone, then insert the new door and reverse the disassembly steps.

Image Description: A pry tool is used to open the bottom of the phone, allowing the charging door to be lifted out.

Step 7: Outer Frame Removal

Insert a small pry tool into the bottom right side of the phone, between the frame and the screen, and pry gently. Then, insert a larger pry tool around the right corner and twist to release the outer frame clips. Remove any buttons and port covers encountered during this process.

Image Description: A sequence of images shows a pry tool being inserted into the phone's edge, a larger pry tool being used to twist and release clips, and tweezers being used to remove small components.

Step 8: Button Removal

Each button has a rubber grommet on the inside to maintain water resistance. Ensure these grommets are removed if they do not come out with the buttons; set them aside for reassembly.

Image Description: Individual phone buttons and their associated rubber grommets are shown after being removed from the device.

Step 9: Continue Frame Work

Continue working around the left side of the back frame to loosen it.

Image Description: A hand is shown using a pry tool to work along the left edge of the phone's back frame.

Step 10: Back Frame Removal

There is adhesive on the top of the phone; it should not require significant force to remove the back frame.

Image Description: A hand is lifting the back frame of the Kyocera Brigadier, indicating the presence of adhesive.

Step 11: Button and Camera Flash Cover Removal

Remove any remaining buttons, grommets, or other small parts that did not detach when the back plate was removed. The cover for the camera flash will likely detach as the back plate is removed.

Image Description: A collection of small components, including buttons, rubber grommets, and the camera flash cover, are laid out after removal.

Step 12: Decorative Screw Removal

Remove the decorative screws by lifting them upwards.

Image Description: A pry tool is shown lifting one of the decorative screws from the base of the phone.

Step 13: Mid Frame Screw Removal

Locate and remove four small black screws in the corners and two larger silver screws positioned above the bottom pair of black screws. These screws are Phillips #00 size. Be prepared to work around some sealant goo.

Image Description: Images show the locations of the mid-frame screws on the phone's interior, with a screwdriver engaged with one of the screws.

Step 14: Mid Frame Removal

The mid-frame is secured by approximately 7 clips, similar to those found on an OtterBox Defender case. Use a small flathead screwdriver to pry these clips open; it is likely that one or two clips may break. Start prying from the top and work downwards. Strong sealant is present, and the clips are small and tight, requiring some force. Exercise caution to avoid breaking the frame, especially near the bottom of the phone.

Image Description: A series of images demonstrates the process of prying open the clips securing the mid-frame using a flathead screwdriver.

Step 15: Remove Mid Frame and Battery

Complete the removal and lifting of the mid frame. Subsequently, remove the battery. If only replacing the battery, insert a new battery and reassemble the device by reversing these steps.

Image Description: Images show the mid-frame being lifted away from the phone's internal components, revealing the battery.

Step 16: Motherboard Screw Removal

Remove the two Phillips screws located on the motherboard at the top, and one screw at the bottom.

Image Description: Images show the motherboard with Phillips screws being removed from its top and bottom sections.

Step 17: Speakerphone Switch Removal

Remove the speakerphone button by lifting it upwards and out. Metal tools are generally more effective, but take care not to cut any flex cables. A gasket covers this component; set it aside for reassembly.

Image Description: Images show the speakerphone button being lifted out with a pry tool, revealing the underlying flex cable and a gasket.

Step 18: Vibrate Motor Removal

Lift the vibrate motor out. It is secured in place by mild adhesive.

Image Description: A hand is shown lifting the vibrate motor component from its position within the phone.

Step 19: Motherboard Top Cover Removal

Remove the motherboard's top cover. There may be some adhesive present around the area where the thumb is indicated.

Image Description: Images show the motherboard's top cover being lifted off, with a hand pointing to an area potentially containing adhesive.

Step 20: Motherboard Bottom Cover Removal

Remove the bottom cover situated on the motherboard, located between the two speakers.

Image Description: Images show a pry tool being used to remove the bottom cover from the motherboard, specifically between the two speaker modules.

Step 21: Rear Camera Removal (Optional)

Flip open the cable cover door and remove the rear camera. This step is not mandatory but can facilitate access to other cables.

Image Description: Images show the cable cover door being opened and the rear camera module being removed from the phone's internal assembly.

Step 22: Digitizer and Screen Cable Removal

Open the cable doors and disconnect the cables for the digitizer and touch screen connections. Small metal tweezers are recommended for this task, but be cautious to avoid damaging the cables. Reversing this step can be challenging.

Image Description: Images show tweezers being used to open protective covers and disconnect the delicate flex cables for the digitizer and screen.

Step 23: Earpiece Flex Cable Removal

Use tweezers to open the earpiece flex cable cover and lift out the cable. The earpiece is integrated with the glass screen and cannot be replaced separately. Metal tweezers are best suited for this, but proceed with caution.

Image Description: Images show tweezers being used to carefully manipulate the earpiece flex cable and its cover on the motherboard.

Step 24: Button and Headphone Jack Removal

Remove the side buttons carefully using tweezers. The headphone jack can be lifted out by hand.

Image Description: Images show side buttons being removed with tweezers and the headphone jack being lifted out of its socket.

Step 25: Motherboard Removal

Ensure the SIM card has been removed. Begin lifting the motherboard out of the phone. There is adhesive in the bottom left of the phone; use a plastic spudger to cut through it.

Image Description: Images show the motherboard being carefully lifted from the phone's chassis, with a spudger used to break adhesive in the bottom left corner.

Step 26: Finished

Lift the motherboard out. Attaching a new screen is the primary remaining repair option. To reassemble, reverse the steps. A clamp or "third hand" tool may be helpful for managing ribbon cables during reassembly.

Image Description: Images display the disassembled components, including the motherboard and the screen assembly, laid out after the teardown is complete.