How to Put X Clamps Back On

Remove the faceplate from the face of the XBox 360. Insert a flathead screwdriver into the space between the faceplate and the rest of the casing to create a separation and expose the plastic tabs that hold it in place. Pry the faceplate off by pressing in the plastic tabs around the perimeter of the console.

Remove the heat grills from the console. Insert a flathead screwdriver into the square holes on the top of the console where the heat grill is located. Turn the screwdriver to the right to pop out the heat grills.

Remove the metal casing from the console. Insert an allen key in the allen screws that hold the metal casing in place. Turn the allen key counterclockwise to loosen and remove the screws.

Uninstall the power button from the front of the console. Loosen and remove the screws that hold the button in place by turning them counterclockwise with a screwdriver.

Remove the metal sheet from the bottom of the XBox. Loosen and remove the screws that hold it in place. Pull the sheet away from the console.

Take out the airflow director and the fan. The airflow director will be a white plastic device located next to the fan. Pull them out by hand.

Lift the front side of the motherboard. The X-clamps will be attached to the bottom side of the motherboard. Pry them out of place with a flathead screwdriver.

Remove the thermal compound from the clamps using a paper towel.

Apply fresh thermal compound to the new clamps.

Install the new clamps. Hold the clamps against the place from which you just removed the old clamps. Align the holes in the new clamps with the holes in the chips. Insert and tighten the screws to hold the clamps in place.

Reassemble the XBox 360 by reversing the steps you took to take it apart.