Re: replacing head assy in a hard drive

Ryan Underwood wrote:
>
> Hello.
>
> I have a click-of-death 4-platter Maxtor drive. It failed clicky while
> running. So I believe that this is not a firmware issue or an issue with the
> hidden data on the drive, nor simply due to bad sectors. By process of
> elimination, it seems to be either the electronics, the heads or the head
> amplifier. I obtained an identical drive and swapped the board, which did not
> change things. So now I am thinking about trying to replace the head assembly.
> I have attempted this before, on a Toshiba 2.5" drive with 5 platters, and met
> with no success.
>
> I recall two problems I had at the time. One was that when removing the voice
> coil magnet, it seemed to be awfully close to the platters for comfort. Is
> there any risk to the platters if this magnet is removed, as long as it stays
> as far away from them as it did when mounted to the coil?
>
> The other problem was that when I slid the heads off the platters, they slapped
> together. I believe this may have instantly destroyed them, but I'm not
> certain. It seems like I need some kind of "comb" type thing to keep the heads
> separated while off the platters. Anyone have any bright ideas?
>

Before we can proceed further, we need to know what class
clean room you are working in.

JazzMan

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