My Pixel 3a has been apart three times for a non-functioning front camera. The first time, it was by a Google authorized repair shop, and the camera stopped functioning again after a few months. When I took it apart the second time, I noted that many of the screws weren't seated before I removed them. The camera module had become disconnected and simply reseating the connector fixed it. I was careful to fully drive all screws and apply an appropriate amount of torque to them, thinking the repair shop failed to do so. After 9 or 10 months, my front camera stopped working again. Again, I'm noticing a lot of the screws have worked themselves loose. I'm going to try to find an appropriate thread compound that I can precisely apply to these tiny screws.

This was super helpful! My phone was in for repair last year at a Google ASP for a front camera failure, but then it happened again a few months later, along with intermittent “phone is getting warm” warnings, and the display adhesive letting go. Upon removal of the midframe screws, I discovered that only two or three of them were fully driven, with the rest being significantly loose. I don’t believe the midframe was making good contact with the thermal blocks on the logic board. Further, when I removed the logic board, I discovered that the front camera flex was completely unplugged from the logic board. Perhaps the loose midframe allowed the camera to move around and work its connector loose. I seated the connector and confirmed it was solid, the front camera is now working, and I’ve fully reassembled the device. It seems less laggy as well! I guess I have a spare front camera now.

I found that applying the iOpener across the top edge of the glass for about 30 seconds at this step helped soften the adhesive significantly. My front camera was replaced only a few months ago by uBreakiFix and the display adhesive subsequently let go on the entire right edge, bottom, and part of the left side shortly after the new front camera failed. Only the top was still securely stuck.

Steven, which model and revision of router do you have? None of my WRT54GL v1.1 units have screws under the rubber feet, though there are holes to accomodate them. The front comes off without damage. The squeeze and pull did take some force, as I was disengaging two large clips (one on each side of the router.) I think step should be “remove the front rubber feet and remove screws (if present.)” This would help prevent damage and frustration with the great many very similar routers that may have screws.