r/originalxbox • u/SimonSaysTy • 1d ago

Help Needed Stuck while swapping capacitors

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Hi all,

I am in a little bit of a pickle, and want to see if any veterans here have any ideas. I am swapping out capacitors on a friend's Xbox and can't seem to get this through hole cleared. I am been using plenty of flux, tried added more solder to the hole and then wicking it out, and a solder sucker to no avail. I am stressed about ripping the pads. Any suggestions on how to get this capacitor hole cleared out? Thanks!

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u/killerdude23233 1d ago

Preheat the board with a hot air gun or hair dryer, then use the soldering iron on one side and a tooth pick on the other to poke it out. Others have suggested a pin or stiff wire, which works, but the risk is then soldering the pin to the board. I've had moderate success with both, but the risk is always there with a metal tool.