Develop Bugs

Replacing the digitizer on the TP2

Hi,
Just purchased a TP2 with a cracked digitizer. I also have the replacement. I've done a bit of research, and it looks like a ton of steps. I'm pretty confident I can do it, so all I'm really looking for is some tips. Any surprises I might see that may not have been covered in this guide? This is what I have so far:
http://translate.google.co.uk/trans...ka/htc_touch_pro2/&sl=ru&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

how did you conclude that your digitizer is cracked?

The LCD is fine. It's the top layer of plastic that is cracked. I haven't received the phone yet, but I inspected it, and that's what I concluded. The person who sold it to me is including a replacement part, but I know I'm looking at a lengthy process to dismantle the device.

Do you have to take apart the entire phone just to change the digitizer? I thought you could just hook something underneath the corner and pry it out.
It seems like such a drag if you have to take the whole phone apart to change an exterior item.

Man you're in for a world of hurt and frustration... Easier to just purchase and replace the LCD and digitizer together...
But hey, good luck.....

have you managed to replace the digitizer only? if its such a mission why are so many people selling them on ebay? a scam maby lol?

i too am interested in your results, just now bought a cracked LCD htc touch pro 2 for $100, touching the screen works, except that the phone is stuck in head-set mode and can't seem to get out of it. also, i want to replace the lcd and use the phone myself. can you pls post your success/educational steps which you followed. also, where did you buy the replacement LCD? how much ? pls help.

ultramag69 said:
Man you're in for a world of hurt and frustration... Easier to just purchase and replace the LCD and digitizer together...
But hey, good luck.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally agree here. From what I have read you dont want to mess around with trying to pry the current digitizer off and then reapply a new one on. It's a HUGE pain in the ass. Just purchase a replacement LCD screen/digitizer combo and i's apparently super easy to swap out.

I've taken apart tons of phones, I'm currently waiting on a digitizer to replace for my TP2. If you search this forum you will find instructions how to do it.
While waiting I've been reviewing the instructions.
As always the hardest part is putting it back together.
The only thing I can recommend to you is to don't worry about replacing it. Take pictures with a digital camera as you go so you can know how to put it back together.
Hopefully I will get mine by this weekend. It is for a T-Mobile TP2 and the only shop to have one available was in Hong Kong.
Good luck.

Redman0570 said:
I've taken apart tons of phones, I'm currently waiting on a digitizer to replace for my TP2. If you search this forum you will find instructions how to do it.
While waiting I've been reviewing the instructions.
As always the hardest part is putting it back together.
The only thing I can recommend to you is to don't worry about replacing it. Take pictures with a digital camera as you go so you can know how to put it back together.
Hopefully I will get mine by this weekend. It is for a T-Mobile TP2 and the only shop to have one available was in Hong Kong.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, can u post how you go with this e.g. is it easy enough to seperate the lcd and touchscreen. Maby a few pics as well if you can.
Cheers

It can be done but it requires ALOT of patience. Take it slowly and try not to leaver against the LCD in anyway. If you do break the screen when replacing it a replacement isn't expensive.

I replaced the digitizer twice. Taking the phone apart and assembling it back is difficult only when you do it for the first time. Once you know what's going on it just takes some time and precision. The REALLY tough part when replacing JUST the digitizer is putting the lcd and digitizer together without any dust or fingerprints in between. I ended up with dusting and vacuuming the room, putting some super-clean brand new plastic bags around the workplace and putting the cold shower on. Then using super-clean glass polishing microfibre cloth and anti-static glass cleaning liquid under really good lamp I managed to get both parts 100% clean and put them back together. Don't forget latex gloves (the ones that leave no marks) - fingerprints are hundred times worse than dust to get rid of. I have no idea how long did it really take but when I finished my back hurt like hell and water was dripping from the ceiling
Separating lcd and digitizer is not too hard. It was easiest when it was still attached to the bezel. I just pried it out applying easy, firm pressure and taking my time. Try not to damage the sticky layer on the edges or get it excessively dirty - it'll make your life easier later.
I hope it goes easier for you. Gud luck!
EDIT: Make sure that lcd is positioned 100% correctly (there is 1 or 2mm space to move it around). It is a very unpleasant surprise to put the phone back together just to find out that some top or bottom pixel lines are permanently invisible (The Voice of True Experience speaks here:/). And generally - keep the place around you tidy - maybe some containers for screws, parts, tools and that sort of stuff. I am not naturally anal enough to start from this point but found out in the process that this sort of job gets extremely frustrating and exhausting when you get confused, start losing parts etc.

It is major hurt! The TP2 is really not user serviceable! Anyway after reading all instructions I still screwed it up. I should have sent it in to HTC. I would not recommend changing the digitizer on your own.
Everything went well until it came to removing the LCD & replacing the digitizer. I cut the speaker cable, and the LCD just came apart. Luckily I have another LCD, looking for a speaker cable now.

has anyone found any places that sell the lcd and digitizer together for the T-Mobile TP2?

Thanks to these instructions I was able to replace the broken digitizer (glass) on my TP2. Unfortunately the Russian instructions stop short of replacing the glass.
Tools required: T5 torx mini screwdriver, letter opener, mini philips, a mini straight screwdriver and I found a very mini (1mm ) straight screwdriver handy for getthing the keyboard and screen back loose. The letter openner and two straight screwdrivers are only for prying
Here is what I did from the last spot on the Russian instructions: (yes you have to do every step)
Note: Be very careful removing the ribbon taped to the back of the LCD. You have to pry the speaker out ot the case up at the top; don't attempt to remove it by pulling on the ribbon. Once the speaker is loose (it's attached to the riboon, you are ok to remove it.
1. Take a small straight screwdriver and pry all around the LCD (metal back with handwriting on it in the last photo.) There are plastic tabs all around it centering it. You can pry gently against them. The LCD is only adhered with a small gasket around the edge of the glass. It is not glued to the screen as was posted by someone else. It comes out fairly easily.
2. Remove the black tape holding down the ribbon connected to the digitizer. I wasn't able to save the tape but not a big deal. Below the tape is one of three screws holding the buttons on. Remove those three screws.
3. Now you should be able to remove the digitizer. Go slow starting at the bottom. It is glued all around at heavily glued at the top. I had the pry the top away with small flat screwdriver and a letter opener. Go slowly and eventually it will release. At the top of the glass is the speaker for your ear. It will likely come off with the glass. Remove it and return it to the now empty case centering it in top.
4. Using gloves to prevent prints remove the protective film form your new digitizer. There is a lot of static generated when you do this so keep it away from everything for a minute while it neutralizes. Then place the digitizer in from the top, feed the ribbon through the slot and press the plastic all the way around.
5. Replace the buttons and the screws that retain them.
6. Replace the LCD; you can't screw it up the plastic tabs center the LCD. Just make sure the ribbon is at the bottom.
7. Reverse the instructions in the Russian link at the beginning of the post.
All told it took one hour the first time. I got it all together and then screen didn't light it. I had trouble reconnecting the screen ribbon during assembly so I figured the problem was there. I took the phone apart (to the end of the Russian instructions) and reinserted the screen ribbon into the connecter and then reassembled the phone. It took 10 min to disassemble and reassemble the phone the second time although I didn't have to take apart the screen.
So that's it. It cost me $22.00 for a new digitizer and $10.00 shipping, which is a lot better than a new phone if you don't have insurance and the phone looks like new. If you look very hard you can make out one tiny speck of dust under the glass but it's barely visible; much better than looking at the large V shaped crack I had before.

Hello!
I ordered (and received) a screen AND a digitizer. But there's a thin scotch tape that make the screen+digitizer (in one piece) get stick to the phone. OK, I teared it off.
But, how can I replace this scotch tape??? Much less of 1 mm thick, it seems to be made of foam...
Anyone can help me???????????
Please....

Coucou !
Is there anybody out there?
(Pink Floyd, The Wall, 1979 )

I was sent a Digitizer from Ebay (without LCD). Just for everyone elses benefit, there is no way you can remove the digitizer from the LCD Screen. It's glued down. Maybe it wasn't the case with the older ones, but mine can not be separated, no way!
Taking the phone apart is not too hard, the video instructions are pretty good, but seriously, forget trying to replace the digitizer only.
Here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrTRPTmoxpw&feature=player_embedded
Cheers, Mal.

If it has the same construction as the HD2, you can put the LCD + digitizer in the oven for 5 minutes at 50 degrees celcius. This was shown in instructions by HTC. Then you can seperate them.

Maybe, but my LCD was glued across the whole screen not just the edges. I'd suggest only buying the Digitizer/LCD combo if you want to do this yourself. If you buy both (as a single piece) the job would be pretty easy.

How to Replace your Scratched Galaxy S2 Screen DIY

I have searched high and low for an answer on how to replace a scratched screen of the SGS2 by yourself and have finally found the answer.
This will definitely VOID YOUR WARRANTY so don't say you haven't been warned.
I suggest you only use this guide if you were desperate like me. My phone didn't come with an official warranty so I was as good as screwed if I wanted a new screen.
Step 1: Obtain the part
Just ebay for lcd screen and digitizer galaxy s2 (however u may wish to buy it with the faceplate see below note). You want both the super amoled plus screen and the digitizer together. You can get this for about 120-130 USD.
There are some vendors that sell just the 'lens' but you need a specialized machine to replace it and is simply not worth the trouble.
Note that if you go to an original Samsung service centre, when they order the part, it comes together with the face plate and is therefore a breeze to install. This part is for sale on Ebay too. http://cgi.ebay.com/LCD-Touch-Digit...312?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a682b9ad0. I would recommend you to buy this type instead of just the LCD and digitizer.
Follow this disassembly guide (not mine).
Now using a thin metal flat tool with a wide flat surface area, dig at the small gap from the top of the screen and pry the screen from the frontplate. It is held entirely by double-tape so don't worry about any screws, catches. Be careful of not damaging the bezel in the process.
Clean off the old black tape and double tape as best as u can, and be careful of the bottom buttons. The attachment shows how it looks like after cleaning it.
Reapply the double tape in strips and try to shape it to fit as much as you can. This is tiresome but necessary since the adhesive behind the lcd screen is very weak and you don't your screen falling out of you halfway.
Push it in and it should stick. That's it! Then reassemble.
Confirmed working!

thanks for the write up, do you have any more photos of your process?

OMG, it's like watching an autopsy.

Could a better resolution screen or even 3d screen be used/upgraded later on?

Nice to know for something happens, Hope not

Hope wont be necessary. How did you scratch the screen so hard that it had to be changed? I tought the Gorilla Glass is almost unscratchable.

Man,,u shud handle it a bit gently ,,,,i mean,i flinched every time u "threw" the phone on the table.

On second thought, I might as well buy that screen protector
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App

wow that is the definition of T H I N !!!!!

Samsung Galaxy S II 2 i9100 LCD Touch Digitizer Screen
Thanks also full part with bezel here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-G...062?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cb9ff0e4e
Samsung Galaxy S II 2 i9100 LCD Touch Digitizer Screen
With Housing Bezel front cover ,Home Button, Flex Cable
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LCD-Touch...669?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cb9ff0cc5
Samsung Galaxy S II 2 i9100 LCD Touch Digitizer Screen
With Housing Bezel front cover ,Home Button, Flex Cable Without Samsung logo
White house soon on site

psp888 said:
thanks for the write up, do you have any more photos of your process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately not at this time. I will do it the next time around (which will be soon as there is a slight imperfection with my button sensitivity so I might be inclined to try it again) but trust me it's not a beautiful process. Needs lots of guts. Nothing technical about it. Shove the flat tool in the gap and keep on loosening the glue as much as u can then take it off.
podgo said:
Hope wont be necessary. How did you scratch the screen so hard that it had to be changed? I tought the Gorilla Glass is almost unscratchable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's more like cracked. I dropped it on some rocks from waist height and it cracked. It seems that gorilla glass is not shatter proof. There are also some scratches/mini cracks from where the rocks cut it.
Lesson learnt, get a screen protector that hopefully will reinforce it a bit more.

I wonder how these replacement parts compare to the quality of the original parts.

Is your new screen a Super AMOLED+ screen? all ebay listing just says LCD. Is it original Samsung part?

psp888 said:
Is your new screen a Super AMOLED+ screen? all ebay listing just says LCD. Is it original Samsung part?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There some listed as Super AMOLED+ screen just search on ebay or even drop the sellers a question about their iteams.

It is a Super Amoled + screen (don't see any difference in quality between the old and new one). Most sellers don't really know much of their products unfortunately but they do say it's original and I do believe mine is.
There's no Samsung print on the front plate but it does have a part number which corresponds closely to the original one. Everything else looks exactly the same, even the black sponge at the back and the microchips have Samsung wording on them.

BarryH_GEG said:
OMG, it's like watching an autopsy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have stomach to watch dead bodies, but not a GSII LOL

Dropped SGS2 from bikemount : broken screen.
OK,
I broke my screen this weekend. I was on a bike tour with the SGS2 mounted on the steering bar. For some unclear reason, the universal holder came off the bikemount at 25 kmh... Dropped on the paved road, and although still in the universal holder, which is made of soft rubber (which I would expect to break the fall), the screen of my beloved SGS2 was cracked !!! Apart from the cracked screen, everything else seems to work as before.
So, today I ordered a replacement set with bezel from aliexpress.com at 148USD.
When I get the part, I will try to post some pictures of the replacement process.
I had an HD2 before ... just sold it last Friday :-( ... I think over a period of 1,5 year, I dropped the HD2 about 6 times on hard surfaces ... also it fell off my bike once ... the HD2 never broke.
So, is it just bad luck this time, or is the built quality of the SGS2 just not as good as the HD2 ?
Regards,
DirkB

DirkB19 said:
OK,
I broke my screen this weekend. I was on a bike tour with the SGS2 mounted on the steering bar. For some unclear reason, the universal holder came off the bikemount at 25 kmh... Dropped on the paved road, and although still in the universal holder, which is made of soft rubber (which I would expect to break the fall), the screen of my beloved SGS2 was cracked !!! Apart from the cracked screen, everything else seems to work as before.
So, today I ordered a replacement set with bezel from aliexpress.com at 148USD.
When I get the part, I will try to post some pictures of the replacement process.
I had an HD2 before ... just sold it last Friday :-( ... I think over a period of 1,5 year, I dropped the HD2 about 6 times on hard surfaces ... also it fell off my bike once ... the HD2 never broke.
So, is it just bad luck this time, or is the built quality of the SGS2 just not as good as the HD2 ?
Regards,
DirkB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is very easy to do. Just unclip each component and transplant it to the new case.

I have to do my friends one this weekend as he has dropped it and damaged the screen and the bezel .
I have managed to source the screen and the bezel for him all as one piece .
Now all the guides i have seen just rip the phone to pieces , surely if we have the right bits like i have bought this fix is very smple to do??
I am thinking it is just a case of undoing the 7 screws at the back of the phone , opening it up and then disconnect the screen cables from the mainboard . Does the whole front then come away??
If not i take it i have to undo the screws on the main board to release the screen? but this means the componets of the main board may come loose etc??
Has anyone that has done this got any info on just swapping the screen with the complete part? when i say complete part i mean the one that comes with the bezel and home button etc like this
http://cgi.ebay.com/LCD-Touch-Digit...312?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a682b9ad0
Thanks in adance for any guidance

buxz777 said:
Has anyone that has done this got any info on just swapping the screen with the complete part? when i say complete part i mean the one that comes with the bezel and home button etc like this
http://cgi.ebay.com/LCD-Touch-Digit...312?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a682b9ad0
Thanks in adance for any guidance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 for me.
I received my screen including bezel.
I've removed the main board just like the guy in the Youtube video.
But now I still have to transfer (from original front to my new front):
- the bottom PCB (where the microUSB sits)
- the camera
- the speaker
etc ...
I can not find a description/movie of how to do this ?
The bottom PCB for example has 2 screws, but after removing them the PCB itself looks like glued to the front assy'.
I prefer to see or get proper instructions before starting the rest of this adventure
...
PS : I got my part from aliexpress.com within 2 weeks (via airmail). It's with the Samsung logo on it and the package included all required tools (screwdrivers) to do the job. Would be nice to see some written instructions included as well.
Grtz,
DirkB

Aluminum Bumper Replacement?

I dropped my white galaxy s2 yesterday and it has a semi steep dent on it. Luckily everything is working fine. Anyone know I can get a replacement of the aluminum bumper that surrounds the side of the phone? I've done a a few search and couldn't find it.

Hi Something,
Unfortunately a part like this is usually fused with the front housing assembly on the device. A quick google search yielded the following result...
globaldirectparts.com/Samsung-Galaxy-S-II-SGH-T989-Front-Housing-p/smsng6110920.htm
You'd have to replace the entire front housing assembly on the device...not the easiest part swap, but still entirely doable.
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Nick

Spork McBork said:
Hi Something,
Unfortunately a part like this is usually fused with the front housing assembly on the device. A quick google search yielded the following result...
globaldirectparts.com/Samsung-Galaxy-S-II-SGH-T989-Front-Housing-p/smsng6110920.htm
You'd have to replace the entire front housing assembly on the device...not the easiest part swap, but still entirely doable.
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Nick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you do this, looks like you'll have a black T989
Get a case and cover it up, best and easiest option.

That really sucks. I dropped my also on wood floor and cracked the left corner.Great phone but too sensitive. I need a light but strong case.

BRODZ2020 said:
I need a light but strong case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any case that provides reasonable protection for a phone is not going to be 'light' or thin. There's a reason why they add bulk and it is to absorb the kinetic energy that would otherwise damage your phone.

Those guys (GlobalDirect) won't ship to an individual, they only deal with businesses.

SheCo said:
Those guys (GlobalDirect) won't ship to an individual, they only deal with businesses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try to enter your social for the business ID ?
I had a similar incident happen while out partying for few days straight. A rugged fall onto some ragged asphalt made for some bezel splitting/pitting. I called T-mobile because my phone was "acting weird" and they exchanged it for me no hassles.

I also scratched the hell out of the bumper with a 1 inch drop. I tried using my PHP from tmobile, I was going to use water damage as an excuse but they want to charge me $130 bucks just going to get a case

Is that actually aluminum I thought it was just aluminum colored, well if it is aluminum, you can always try a really, really fine sandpaper ex.1000,1500,2000 even 5000, I had a HTC Sensation (Made Chrome), and I dropped a few times, had chips and scratches which I fixed with sandpaper and 1000 to 2000+Blue Magic. Hope this can help but remember try at your own risk.

I looked into replacing this part when I dropped and dented my phone. Unfortunately, to replace it you have to replace the entire front half of the phone. And unfortunately, the screen is adhered in place. From what I found, you need to have the proper tools (uses heat, I believe) to release the screen, and then reapply it to the new housing. I cracked my OLED while attempting this. Luckily I was able to put it back together and get it replaced under the insurance. Bought myself a case immediately upon receiving the new phone.

Broken Screen - Which part should i buy?

My GF broke the screen on her Droid Incredible, Verizon insurance wants $100 to replace it, so not sure it is worth it for this phone, and she has a few months left before her upgrade is ready. If i am going to try to fix it for her, can anyone with experience tell me what parts specifically I would need? The LCD seems fine, so i would think i can replace just the digitizer, which i can get on Amazon for $16
http://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Sc...ement-Adhesives/dp/B005TGX6X8/ref=pd_cp_cps_0
They also sell with front housing
http://www.amazon.com/Touch-Screen-Glass-Digitizer-Incredible/dp/B005L0XRRM/ref=pd_cp_cps_1
any tips which to buy or what to do etc?
Why would one/How does one know if they need to replace the LCD as well?
All touch aspects of phone working fine and seems like it's just the glass cracked.

Dillsnik said:
My GF broke the screen on her Droid Incredible, Verizon insurance wants $100 to replace it, so not sure it is worth it for this phone, and she has a few months left before her upgrade is ready. If i am going to try to fix it for her, can anyone with experience tell me what parts specifically I would need? The LCD seems fine, so i would think i can replace just the digitizer, which i can get on Amazon for $16
http://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Sc...ement-Adhesives/dp/B005TGX6X8/ref=pd_cp_cps_0
They also sell with front housing
http://www.amazon.com/Touch-Screen-Glass-Digitizer-Incredible/dp/B005L0XRRM/ref=pd_cp_cps_1
any tips which to buy or what to do etc?
Why would one/How does one know if they need to replace the LCD as well?
All touch aspects of phone working fine and seems like it's just the glass cracked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am no expert, but it would seem that if anything under the glass was broken, you would need to replace the lcd (that is, if you could see the lcd "leaking" or being distorted)
Sent from my ARCHOS 80G9 using Tapatalk 2

Nothing under the screen seems broken.
Anyone done this?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk

Dillsnik said:
Nothing under the screen seems broken.
Anyone done this?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I have had the pleasure of replacing my digitizer twice. You definitely wanna buy it WITH the frame or housing. The adhesive is like industrial strength and you will end up breaking the original anyways when trying to remove the digitizer from it. I have to warn you that doing this repair yourself will void your warranty. Make sure the digitizer you get comes with the tools required to get the phone apart. You can get this as a package on eBay fairly cheap too. There are about 3-4 circuit strips that will have to be removed from their clips, don't be intimidated by them, but be gentle. Your first time is gonna take you a while, just be patient. If you need to do it a second time, its gonna be a breeze. PM me if you have any concerns during your repair.

yea get a digitizer also,
I had the same thing happen to me, it was a pain but there are a few videos on youtube
that should help you through it, though it doesn't sound like its that bad

Definitely go with the digitizer and housing replacement together. Bottom line, it will make your life so much less of a headache while replacing it.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA

I just replaced mine this weekend. I attached some before, during, and after pictures...
These were the guides that I followed:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfpPS7oO4Q8
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJMAmKpk20c
Personally, I went with just the glass/digitizer (your first link) and it went fine. The glass is difficult to get out of the housing, but it's not that bad. It probably took me 20 minutes to get the old glass out, maybe 5 minutes of cleaning goo from the old adhesive, and probably another 5 minutes to put the new glass back on.
Some Tips:
The pry tool that comes with it is very cheap. I would suggest using it sparingly until you get to the LCD panel extraction and glass removal. You want it to be as in good of condition as can be when you get to those later steps.
Use a blow-drier to heat up the adhesive, and get it to the point where you almost cant touch it. I used some yellow kitchen gloves so I could get it a little hotter and still be able to hold it. I used a combination of my hands and the pry tool and worked mostly along the sides and top first, then separated the bottom last.
The guy in the youtube videos uses glue, but you shouldn't need that. It comes with pre-cut adhesive strips, which work great. One word of caution though... The sheet that they come on is scored for you, but I suggest using an x-acto to cut them out. This is especially important for the thin rectangle that goes around the outside of the glass. You really don't want to pull on that... you don't want it to get stretched or twisted. Summary: the strips work great, just be careful extracting them from the sheet they come on, and placing them on the phone.
Don't forget to get the red earpiece grill off of the old glass before throwing it away. You'll need to super glue that back onto the housing, but it's really easy to see where it goes. This should be the only thing you need glue for.
When removing the glass, cleaning up gunk from the old adhesive, and applying new adhesive, be careful of the electronics at the bottom for your capacitive buttons... you definitely don't want to harm or obstruct those.
This should probably go without saying, but make sure not to touch the inside of the new glass, or the LCD panel. You don't want fingerprints or dust inside the phone. Even if you don't touch it, I would still give it a shot of compressed air right before putting it in, just to make sure there's no dust.
I would say that it's probably worth the extra $10-12 bucks to get it with the housing already included, but it's definitely not necessary if you want to save a little money. As I said above, it only took me about a half hour to get the old glass out and the new glass in, and from what it sounds like, there is still some effort involved even if you get it with the housing (moving the circuitry from the old one). I wouldn't worry about breaking the frame... it's pretty strong. If you break it, you're doing it wrong. Although, if your frame has some scrapes and other assorted road rash on it like mine does (see first picture), then maybe you might want a new one anyway. Another consideration... the reviews on Amazon for the one without the housing are much better, but that could just be because of people who don't know what they're doing... who knows.
If you have any questions, I'd certainly be willing to help... PM me if you want. And if I'm going to be around when you go to actually do the replacement, I can give you my gchat address in case you have any questions during the process.

[Q] Screen Shattered

Hey All.
Been using nexus 7 2013 since last 2 years. My nephew dropped it and the screen cracked from the side. The device is working fine. The touch doesn't work at the the area of the cracks on the top right, and a few other places. But works everywhere else on the screen. My question is what has to be replaced, the digitizer or the entire LCD. My personal diagnoses is only the upper glass needs to be replaced. Please advice further!
Digitizer is for $15 and the whole thing is for $50. What has to be replaced and how to find out?
Please see the pictures and help me please

Get the whole thing. Replacing only digitazer is very difficult and compromises the tablet's construction.

no_cannabis said:
Get the whole thing. Replacing only digitazer is very difficult and compromises the tablet's construction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agree with you

barriecary said:
agree with you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how much cost to replace?

I did it, two times, buy the glass+lcd+digitizer combo, you can find it at ~ $40
It takes 10 minutes to disassemble the tablet and 1h+ to separate the glass from the frame, the glue is very strong and the melting point is so high that you can melt the frame when trying to separate. Even doing this you will have to scrap the glue and zillions of microscopic bit of glass embeded in the glue. It's doable of course, but be patient!

I bought the screen + digitizer from Aliexpress about $20 last month
This was the guide I followed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAlNuGrGDuU
I didn't have heat gun or other thing, I just scratched the whole screen away from frame, took me couple of hours to completely replace the screen, but works nicely. This was the first time ever I've replaced a screen.
Just make sure you have double sided adhesive tape before you start, about ~3mm or so. My replacement screen didn't include that adhesive so I had to buy it separately.

well done..patience is the key, so id be not very good at it..haha..touch wood ive never dropped any of my tablets/mobiles, hopefully the cases i always put on would cushion any blows, i bought a used nexus 7 2013 and although cosmetically its in great shape, the lcd is showing blue blobs, like ink leakage..stuck pixels maybe, but i dont think you can just do the lcd change, the whole front would need buying which is pointless as i only paid £45 in the first place.. but im so impressed with it performance wise, i got a samsung t280 in the latest sale, returned it after 3 days, the chip inside was shockingly rubbish..