Introduction: How to Change the Shell for Your Xbox 360 Controller
Want something more exciting then your old dull matte black or white?
Cracked or damaged your old face-plate?
Then these instructions are for you!
In these instructions you will learn how to change out the shell on an Xbox 360 wireless controller.
WARNING: The following instructions may void your Xbox 360 controller warranty!
Cracked or damaged your old face-plate?
Then these instructions are for you!
In these instructions you will learn how to change out the shell on an Xbox 360 wireless controller.
WARNING: The following instructions may void your Xbox 360 controller warranty!
Step 1: Know Your Parts
For this project you will need the following items:
1) A current Xbox 360 controller
2) A new back plate
3) A new face plate
4) A new battery pack
5) A new "back" button
6) a new "start" button
7) A Torx T8 Security Screwdriver
Note: Can be purchased here
8) A precise Phillips headed screwdriver
9) A cup to put your screws in
The following items are optional but can complete the look of your Xbox 360 Conroller
NOTE: The face and back plate, back and start buttons,and battery pack were bought as a package on "http://madmodz.com". This site provides many options for new Xbox 360 shells but is not the only source. You can, if you desire, use any face or back plate to complete this project. The options are endless and it is up to YOU the user to decide how you want to customize the shell of your Xbox 360 controller.
1) A current Xbox 360 controller
2) A new back plate
3) A new face plate
4) A new battery pack
5) A new "back" button
6) a new "start" button
7) A Torx T8 Security Screwdriver
Note: Can be purchased here
8) A precise Phillips headed screwdriver
9) A cup to put your screws in
The following items are optional but can complete the look of your Xbox 360 Conroller
NOTE: The face and back plate, back and start buttons,and battery pack were bought as a package on "http://madmodz.com". This site provides many options for new Xbox 360 shells but is not the only source. You can, if you desire, use any face or back plate to complete this project. The options are endless and it is up to YOU the user to decide how you want to customize the shell of your Xbox 360 controller.
Step 2: Preparing Your Controller
CAUTION: REMOVE THE BATTERIES BEFORE BEGINNING TO WORK ON YOUR CONTROLLER!
1) Flip your current controller on its back
2) Remove the empty battery pack and place it somewhere safe
1) Flip your current controller on its back
2) Remove the empty battery pack and place it somewhere safe
Step 3: Remove the Screw Underneath the Battery Pack
The controller will have a scan-able label on the back where the battery pack once was.
1) Puncture though this label using your Torx T8 Security Screwdriver.
CAUTION: DOING SO WILL IN ALL LIKELIHOOD VOID YOUR CONTROLLER'S WARRANTY
2) Remove this screw and place it in the cup you have designated for screw removal.
1) Puncture though this label using your Torx T8 Security Screwdriver.
CAUTION: DOING SO WILL IN ALL LIKELIHOOD VOID YOUR CONTROLLER'S WARRANTY
2) Remove this screw and place it in the cup you have designated for screw removal.
Step 4: Remove the Remaining 6 Screws on the Back of the Controller
1) After removing the screw underneath your battery pack there will be six remaining screws, these must be removed.
2) Place each screw in your cup designated for screw removal (you will need them for a later step)
NOTE: Screws will in all likelihood be argumentative. Just keep working at it, use a firm grip and a good amount of downward force so the bit doesn't slip, and they should come out no problem.
2) Place each screw in your cup designated for screw removal (you will need them for a later step)
NOTE: Screws will in all likelihood be argumentative. Just keep working at it, use a firm grip and a good amount of downward force so the bit doesn't slip, and they should come out no problem.
Step 5: Remove the Back of the Shell
1) Carefully remove the back of the controller
Note: Some components inside will be prone to fall out. Be sure to prevent this from happening and keep the controller with the sticks, at least to some degree, facing in the downward position. (as shown in the picture)
Note: Some components inside will be prone to fall out. Be sure to prevent this from happening and keep the controller with the sticks, at least to some degree, facing in the downward position. (as shown in the picture)
Step 6: Lay Out the Controller
1) Place the controller sticks down with the controller components facing upward
Step 7: Remove the Vibrating Mechanisms
1) Carefully remove the vibrating mechanism in both the left and right hand grips
CAUTION: Do NOT disconnect the wires connecting the vibrating mechanism to micro-chip and associated components
2) Place them on top of the chip board as shown in the accompanying pictures.
CAUTION: Do NOT disconnect the wires connecting the vibrating mechanism to micro-chip and associated components
2) Place them on top of the chip board as shown in the accompanying pictures.
Step 8: Remove the Micro Chip and Associated Components
1) Ever so tenderly remove the micro chip and associated components (it's one big piece)
2) Place the micro chip and associated components to the side (you will need it for a later step)
3) There are components behind this piece that will now be loose. DO NOT flip over the controller
2) Place the micro chip and associated components to the side (you will need it for a later step)
3) There are components behind this piece that will now be loose. DO NOT flip over the controller
Step 9: Remove Rubber Covers
1) Remove the rubber cover over the d-pad and a,b,x,y buttons (you will need them in a later step, place them in a safe place)
Step 10: Remove the A,B,X, Y, "back", "start", and Xbox Power Buttons
1) Carefully remove the A,B,X, Y, "back", "start" and Xbox power buttons (place them somewhere safe, you'll need them for later)
Step 11: Unscrew the Back of the D-Pad
1) Using your precise Phillips head screwdriver, remove the 2 screws on the back of the d-pad (you know the drill, save these for a later step)
Step 12: Remove the Top and Bottom of the D-Pad
1) The d-pad is two separate pieces that are joined by a snap fit plastic piece. Separate these pieces and place them aside.
Step 13: Remove the Bumper Panel
1) Remove the bumper panel and put it in a safe place for later
Step 14: Remove the Controller's Endcap
1) Remove the controller's end-cap and place it aside for later
Step 15: You Have Now Successfully Taken Apart Your Controller
1) Take a step back and look at all the pieces you have.
2) Replace old pieces with the new shell and it's associated components.
3) Make sure you have all your screws.
2) Replace old pieces with the new shell and it's associated components.
3) Make sure you have all your screws.
Step 16: Place A,B,X,Y, "back", "start", and Xbox Power Buttons in the New Shell
1) Place the A,B,X, and Y buttons in the front panel of the new shell
NOTE: with the front of the "front panel" facing down the Y (yellow) is on the top, X (blue) is on the right, B (red) is on the left, and A (green) is on the bottom.
2) place the "back" and "start" buttons in the front panel of the new shell
NOTE: with the front of the "front panel" facing down the "back" button will be on the right and the "start" button will be on the left
3) Place the Xbox power button in it's housing in the new shell
NOTE: with the front of the "front panel" facing down the Y (yellow) is on the top, X (blue) is on the right, B (red) is on the left, and A (green) is on the bottom.
2) place the "back" and "start" buttons in the front panel of the new shell
NOTE: with the front of the "front panel" facing down the "back" button will be on the right and the "start" button will be on the left
3) Place the Xbox power button in it's housing in the new shell
Step 17: Re-Install the D-Pad
1) Snap the two pieces of the d-pad together
NOTE: The side with what looks like a plus symbol should be facing down as it was when you took it apart
2) Use the two shiny silver screws which originally held the d-pad together and place them in the appropriate holes.
3) Screw them in using your precise Phillips head screwdriver.
NOTE: The side with what looks like a plus symbol should be facing down as it was when you took it apart
2) Use the two shiny silver screws which originally held the d-pad together and place them in the appropriate holes.
3) Screw them in using your precise Phillips head screwdriver.
Step 18: Re-Install Rubber Covers, Top Bumper, and Controller End-cap
1) Re-install the rubber covers previously removed over the d-pad and a,b,x,y, start,back, and Xbox power buttons.
2) Place the Top bumper piece into its housing on the upper portion of the controller
3) Place the end-cap into its housing on the lower portion of the controller
4) The controller should look like the picture included when these steps are completed.
2) Place the Top bumper piece into its housing on the upper portion of the controller
3) Place the end-cap into its housing on the lower portion of the controller
4) The controller should look like the picture included when these steps are completed.
Step 19: Replace the Micro-chip and Associated Components
1) Place the micro-chip and associated components into the new face-plate. The joy-sticks on the micro-chip should be facing down and should fit through the holes on the face-plate.
Step 20: Place the Vibrating Mechanisms Into There New Housing
1) Place both the left and right vibrating mechanisms into the new housing on their respective sides of the controller.
Step 21: Place the Back of the New Shell in Place
1) Place the back of the new shell on top of the components
NOTE: make sure components line up before placing the new back-plate on
CAUTION: Be sure as to not flip the controller over in this process as pieces will fall everywhere and you will become very frustrated!
NOTE: make sure components line up before placing the new back-plate on
CAUTION: Be sure as to not flip the controller over in this process as pieces will fall everywhere and you will become very frustrated!
Step 22: Place Screws in Appropriate Holes
1) Using your small hex head screw driver, drive the 7 screws remaining in their appropriate holes
NOTE: There is one screw hole behind the battery pack, 3 on the left side of the controller, and 3 on the right
CAUTION: Make sure screws are in tight as you don't want the controller coming apart as you game!
NOTE: There is one screw hole behind the battery pack, 3 on the left side of the controller, and 3 on the right
CAUTION: Make sure screws are in tight as you don't want the controller coming apart as you game!
Step 23: Enjoy Your Seemingly New (and Way Cooler) Controller!
