How to Take Apart the Xbox 360 Safely for cleaning, fixing, modification and Customization - Taking off the shell

When it comes to modding, a favored project is to mod the Xbox 360. Microsoft created the console to make it near impossible to open up for modifications. However, there has been a device created to help modders open up the console for modification and repairs. In this tutorial, I will be showing you the easiest and safest way of opening up the Xbox 360. This tutorial goes in-depth on how to do each step.

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OPENING UP THE Xbox 360 VOIDS MICROSOFT’S WARRANTY ON THE CONSOLE.

1. Take the console, set it upright, and remove the hard drive by pressing in the removal button and lifting up.
2. Remove the faceplate by simply using your thumbs and pulling away from the console. Place your thumbs at the top of the faceplate, and pull. In my opinion, it is much easier to remove the faceplate with the console upside down, with the power button on top.
3. This is the step that requires the Xbox 360 opening tool. There are 6 anchor prongs on each of the mesh pieces that must be pushed in to release the pieces for removal. There are 3 on each side. Open the tool, and insert it into the raised portion on the mesh slot that the HDD sits on. There are 2 slots that you have to insert the tool into. Use the long skinny end of the tool and insert it into the slot, pretty much as far as it will go in, then pry up with it until the mesh rises on that side. Repeat on the other slot. After you get the front part of the mesh raised, you must locate the next release prong by looking through the holes on the side of the console. They are just gray prongs that go about half an inch into the console. Take the long end of the tool and gently push in the prong. The mesh should raise once again. Repeat this on the opposite side. The best way to do this is by releasing the front 2 prongs, then moving to the next 2, and so on. If you do a whole side first, all 3 prongs, then when you go to do the other side, the first side tends to close back up. Once you have pressed in all of the prongs, the mesh should easily just lift up and come off. Now, flip the console over and repeat this step with the bottom mesh piece. The bottom mesh doesn’t have the raised “bump” like the top one has for the HDD. So, for the bottom mesh, just locate the 6 prongs and push them in. Start with the front to, then move on to the next 2, just like you did on the top mesh piece.
4. Now that you have removed the mesh pieces, this is the most complicated part of the process. Turn the console so that the back is facing you. Start with the end that that has 5 small slits. To release the shell, you must push in all 7 slits. Place the tool so that the 5 prongs fit into the 5 slits. The last 2 prongs should hang over the side of the console. Push the tool in, tilt it back slightly, then gently pull the console apart. Now, move the tool to the final 2 slits, and gently press in, tilt, and pry apart. The whole back part of the shell should be completely disconnect from each other. The next step will explain how to release the front of the shell.
5. Flip the console over so that the front of the console is facing you. Take the tool, and use the flat rounded edge, and wedge it into the small gap in between the connector pieces. You can also do this with a small regular screw driver. Start with the top of the console, near the disc drive. Wedge the tool or a screw driver in the gap, and gently pry the connector up and slide it past the notch that locks it into place. Repeat this step with all 4 connector pieces. Once all the connector pieces are no longer attached over the notches, set the console up-right and facing you. Gently pull the left side of the shell off of the console. Getting the other side of the shell off is a little more difficult. The exposed metal plate of the Xbox contains several black screws, in some cases there are also gold and silver screws. The trick to removing these screws is having the required screwdriver. These screws are not meant to be taken out with a regular or phillips head, but a star-shaped screwdriver. It would be advised to buy a cheap one of these screwdrivers from a local hardware store, they are about $5.00 and make the removal quick and simple. The first time I took out the screws, I used an allen wrench and it stripped all the screws so I had to use a dremel to cut them out. The Xbox 360 Opening tool comes with this screwdriver, but you’ll still need to buy a smaller one to remove the screws that hold the motherboard to the metal plate. Once you have all of the outer screws removed, gently pull away the other shell. Be careful not to snag the disc drive eject button, some people accidentally break it off during removal.
6. Now that you have the main body taken apart, you can easily paint and modify the console without accidentally damaging the electronics. Handy tools that help you modify consoles include a dremel, spray paint, clear acrylic windows, fine sandpaper, and maybe even some LED’s. Do all of the cutting before you paint. Fine sandpaper gives the console an overall smoother look and feel. If you use too high of grade, it puts deep scratches into the casing. I have also used car bondo to fill in deep scratches and even the “Xbox 360” logo that is carved into the console. I’d advise you to first use a primer on the shell, then two coats of paint, followed by a clear gloss coat. I wouldn’t mess with removing parts that you find unnecessary because the parts are there for a reason. Keep the fans in, as well as the the bulky heat director that takes the heat from the heat-sinks and directs it through the fans. Removing anything with the fans could cause your Xbox to overheat and result in the Red Ring of Death. Please note that adding too many LED’s to Xbox’s causes them to short out and flicker.
7. This step is only needed if you want to remove the motherboard from the metal plate box. If you flip the motherboard over so that the metal part is facing you, you will notice two X’s, these X’s have screws that hold the motherboard to the plate. You will need a smaller star-shaped screwdriver to remove these screws. Once again, if you don’t have the proper screwdriver, go buy a cheap one, it’ll save you time and money in the long run. Once you remove all of these screws, flip the plate over so that the motherboard is facing you and gently pull up to remove the motherboard.
8. This step is only to tell you how to remove the XClamps, which hold together the heat-sinks, which cover the performance and graphical parts required for the Xbox to run smoothly. The XClamps are generally only removed to fix the RROD or the e74 error message. To remove the XClamps, take a small regular-tipped screwdriver, wedge it into one of the 4 prongs, and gently twist and pull up. Sometimes removing these can be a pain, but take your time and be gently. If the prongs don’t easily pop off, slowly work with it by twisting and prying. This can cause some serious damage if the screwdriver slips off and scratches the motherboard, so be careful!

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Modifying your Xbox 360 Console voids your warranty. Some things you do to your console could end up destroying your console’s performance. ModdedLife cannot be blamed for any mess-ups, this tutorial was created for the sole purpose of taking apart your Xbox 360 console for your own modification. Proceed at your own risk!