Apple AirPort Extreme Model A1354 Antenna Replacement

Introduction

If the base station is sending out a poor signal, an antenna may need to be replaced.

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Étape 1 Outer Case

Apple AirPort Extreme Model A1354 Antenna Replacement, Outer Case: étape 1, image 1 de 1

First start by peeling off the outer rubbery covering on the bottom of the device.
CAUTION: This part is very fragile, so it is recommended that a blow dryer is used on the covering to heat it up. Simply blow dry the covering while slowly peeling it away, and the covering will not tear.

By the time I needed to open my AirPort Extreme in mid-2019, the adhesive bond to the covering had weakened to the point that the covering readily peeled away cleanly without the application of heat. I just worked slowly and carefully.

The covering had no residue of adhesive on it after removal, but there was a sheet of adhesive clinging to the plastic surface of the body of the unit. I had to poke holes in it to reach the screws, but that was no big deal and easily done.

When finished, the rubbery covering adhered to the body of the unit again adequately without the use of additional adhesive or (as I had planned to use) double-sided tape.

BTW I was not disassembling the unit to replace the battery, but rather to reset the device by bridging the contacts that a broken reset switch failed to connect. (The switch had become detached from the circuit board and was literally hanging by a thread when I opened the case and fell off altogether as I examined it.)

Thanks for the clear disassembly instructions!

gambaguru+fb - 22 juin 2019 Réponse

When I performed this, the rubber had deteriorated(?) and tore quite easily, particularly around the model number label.

Steve I - 18 févr. 2020 Réponse

Étape 2

After removing the rubber covering, unscrew the five 4.9mm Phillips screws in the holes of the plastic casing.

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Use a #0 Phillips driver for these screws. Knowing they are 4.9mm is not necessary unless one needs to be replaced.

Steve I - 18 févr. 2020 Réponse

Étape 3

After unscrewing all five screws, remove the plastic casing. The back should now look like the picture shown.

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Étape 4

Apple AirPort Extreme Model A1354 Antenna Replacement: étape 4, image 3 de 3

The inner metal casing is latched inside the outer white plastic shell, so insert a pry tool underneath the metal casing and pry it apart from the shell.
It should make a click when it comes apart.

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Étape 5

Remove the outer casing.
The exposed logic board should look like this.

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Remove the 3 connectors from the logic board to the antennas before removing the logic board from the metal surround.

Dan McGoldrick - 25 août 2015 Réponse

Steve I - 18 févr. 2020 Réponse

Étape 6 Antenna

Apple AirPort Extreme Model A1354 Antenna Replacement, Antenna: étape 6, image 1 de 1

Remove the metal casing by gently prying the logic board away with you hands.
This should be pretty easy, you already removed the screws holding these pieces together.

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Étape 7

Turn the device so that the antenna to be replaced is facing you.

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Étape 8

Caution: Be careful not to bend the metal strip that the antenna is attached to. This may cause problems during reassembly and use.
Using the screwdriver, unscrew the 2.5mm Phillips screw on the antenna.

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