Nikon D500 Top Assembly Replacement

ID: 173084

Description: I had a failure of the Metering Mode Button,...

Steps:

  1. Remove the Memory Card(s) from the camera
  2. Remove the Battery from the Camera, and close the battery compartment cover
  3. Remove the 2 screws beside the memory slots, then close the cover.
  4. Note: make sure to remove the memory cards first!
    5. Step image
  5. Remove the 2 screws under the rubber grip part by peeling back the rubber grip
  6. Try not to damage the double sided adhesive under the rubber.
    7. Step image
  7. Remove the 2 screws under the rubber pad marked in red.
  8. Try not to damage the double-sided adhesive under the rubber.
  9. Note: There is a 3rd screw under the flap, which holds the back to the top (marked in yellow). If needing to remove the back panel not just the memory cover flap, it can be removed at this time as well.
    10. Step image
  10. Lift out the assembly panel, it should come free without much force.
  11. May open the panel to release it.
  12. Remove the screw above the viewfinder
    13. Step image
  13. Remove the 4 screws holding the plate to the bottom.
  14. Remove the bottom plate
    15. Step image
  15. Remove the 4 screws (1 was under the plate removed under the last step)
    16. Step image
  16. Remove the screw under the grip, if it has not been removed doing a previous step
    17. Step image
  17. Remove the exposed screw on the Left side
    18. Step image
  18. Carefully pull the back plate off the camera
  19. There are 2 ribbon cables that need to be disconnected from the main board to free the rear panel from the camera.
  20. To release the cables by flipping up the tap on the side away from the cable
  21. When reconnecting the cables, make sure the cables are fully seated before flipping the latch back down.
  22. The black cable goes to the LCD (on the tilt screen), the other one goes to the buttons.
  23. The black LCD cable does have less slack, so is easier to release first, and reconnect last.
    24. Step image
  24. Carefully remove the Rubber grip from the camera
  25. Careful to not damage the double-sided adhesive
    26. Step image
  26. Carefully remove the Rubber grip from the camera
  27. Careful to not damage the double-sided adhesive
    28. Step image
  28. Remove the diopter cap from the end of the diopter (use a flat head or pry tool)
  29. Un-screw the phillips screw from the diopter
  30. When reconnecting, make sure the cap is seated in correctly and the double sided tape is not damaged (or replace)
  31. There is a notch which the indicator has to seat into, or it will not sit down correctly when it is reinstalled.
    32. Step image
  32. Remove the screw that had been hidden under the memory slot cover.
    33. Step image
  33. Remove the screw under the top assembly, had been hidden by the grip.
  34. Remove the 2 screws from the bottom of the mirror box
  35. Remove the lens or lenscap prior to doing this step to gain access, then reattach.
  36. Remove the screw from beside the accessory socket
    37. Step image
  37. Remove the screw from the left side, had been hidden under the rubber
    38. Step image
  38. Disconnect the 2 ribbon cables from the main board (Red boxes)
  39. Lift the black tabs above the cables to release the cables
  40. When reseating the cables, make sure they are fully seated before closing the locking tab
  41. Note: there is another ribbon cable under the left one which goes to the 10-pin accessory port, make sure it's seated correctly when reassembling.
  42. Disconnect the wifi sub-board with the wifi cable from the main board (Blue Box) or gently disconnect the wifi antenna (Blue circle)
  43. The antenna connector is very delicate, and isn't designed for many cycles, which is why the board is recommended (it has a socket it fits into.
    44. Step image
  44. Carefully lift the top assembly free.
  45. Note, there is a thermal pad on the left hand side, almost right under where the strap lug is. Red Box. Careful to not damage it.
    46. Step image Step image Step image
  46. Reassemble the camera using the replacement part, with the steps in the reverse order
  47. Make sure all ribbon cables are fully seated before closing the latch, or the camera may not work correctly
  48. Many screws are into plastic, make sure to not over-tighten them
  49. Make sure the camera is fully functional, to confirm all the parts were connected correctly.
    50. Step image Step image
  50. (This step can be done before removing the top assembly from the camera, if desired)
  51. Remove the existing strap from the camera
  52. Remove the black plastic retainer clips by pushing them towards the camera
  53. Using a metal pry tool, open the split ring and rotate it through the mount point to release it from the camera
  54. Repeat the steps for the other side.
    55. Step image
  55. (This step can be done before removing the existing top assembly, but is easier after installing it)
  56. Using the metal spudger to hold the split ring open slide it into the mount on the new top assembly.
  57. Keeping the side which has the 2 ends of the split ring either to the front or back, and the flat side away from the camera one of the other side, slide the black retainer clip onto the split ring, with the solid side away from the camera while the clip is the way a strap would hold it.
  58. Repeat the step for the other side.
  59. Reattach the neck strap to the connectors
    60. Step image Step image
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