iPod Expanding/Bulging iPod(3G-40GB)

[alexstein]

I noticed today that my trusty 3G iPod is expanding/bulging a little bit on the right hand side. The white plastic is OK but the metal part is spreading out a little bit.

Has anybody else ever had a problem like that. Do you guys think I can take it apart and re-arange some stuff internally and put it back together. Please stir me in the right direction here.

I'd like to fix it. It might be just cosmetic but it still bothers the hell out of me. ...and no I don't want to buy a new iPod just yet...

I also attached some pictures as reference.

 

[mad jew]

I'm finding it hard to see from the pictures. I'd say it's probably not worth the risk of taking the iPod apart. It might cause more harm than good.

 

[alexstein]

That is what I was thinking but it still bugs me.

The metal case bulges about 2-3mm on the right hand side (right where the forward button is) It's a gradual bulge I wonder how that happened?

 

[SpaceMagic]

Perhaps the battery is blowing..

 

[treblah]

I have noticed this on my 15GB G3 too.

I think it mainly happens when I have it in my back jeans pocket and sit down on it. Surprisingly, it usually corrects itself throughout the day.

You could just squeeze it real hard…

 

[TrenchMouth]

I imagine that it has nothing to do with anything on the inside changing position. I would avoid taking it apart. It may bother you, but...well...there isn't much you can do.

My guess is that it is caused by pressure, and the metal being less elastic than the plastic would be the reason behind the metal sticking out even though the plastic looks normal.

Just my $.02, but I don't think it is fixable, and I also don't think it is worth the potential damage of trying to fix it.

 

[Scarlet Fever]

same on my 10GB 3G iPod. Squeeze it on the sides and it may click back into place. Otherwise, its not doing any harm, i count it as fine

Its in very good nic. No scratches (that i can see). Mines covered in hairline scratches. At least now if it gets any worse, i wont notice it

 

[aplasticspork]

this happens to mine too, usually if it gets smashed. the plastic gets pushed down into the metal case, causing the metal to bulge out, try to get something thin in between the plastic and the metal and run it down the side of the ipod. I usually just use my fingernail, but i've heard of success using credit cards and such.

 

[Jedda]

If it really bothers you, pop the iPod open and squeeze it back in. I do this for customers of mine all the time.

Use a small flathead screwdriver to work your way in to the existing gap, and then move round the perimiter. If you dont have a black stick, or similar tools, a butter knife (plasic is better) will do the trick.

There is a small connector on the top inside of the back case. Make sure you gently disconnect that, then the back case should come off clean.

 

[student_trap]

this has happened on both my 3G ipods, on one there is a bulge, while on the other it is out of sync the whole way along one side. These pods were mothered, so there's no chance of it being due to them being sat upon. one question though, did you keep it in an iskin, just a little theory of mine:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/185811/

 

[alexstein]

this happens to mine too, usually if it gets smashed. the plastic gets pushed down into the metal case, causing the metal to bulge out, try to get something thin in between the plastic and the metal and run it down the side of the ipod. I usually just use my fingernail, but i've heard of success using credit cards and such.

Thanks for the advise. I took a knife and carefully slit it along the side and the metal part snapped right into place again.

 

[briangig]

sometimes this happens from the ipod heating up (charging battery, or accessing the HD constantly).

 

[alexstein]

sometimes this happens from the ipod heating up (charging battery, or accessing the HD constantly).

I'm coming to the same conclusion after all these posts. It's still a little weird, and it's the first time after almost 2.5 years of ownership.

Thanks again for all your the helpful posts guys and girls.

 

[student_trap]

sometimes this happens from the ipod heating up (charging battery, or accessing the HD constantly).

you think cases such as the iskin could make tihs issue worse?