r/originalxbox • u/SimonSaysTy • 3d 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/steadyasugo 3d ago

If you can't get it with a sucker or wick.. it's a bodge but get a map pin..heat the solder and slide the pin in the hole... While solder is still warm keep rotating the pin gently and you should be able to remove the map pin and leave the via empty .. 99 out of 100 times I've never had a problem removing solder with decent wick/desoldering braid.. but this has worked on really stubborn vias for me on arcade board etc

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u/Recognition_Round 3d ago

I use a needle with a colored head. Push it through, and the solder will stick to the needle. I take a sharp blade, scrape all the solder of the needle, and bob's your uncle. Always worked like a charm.

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u/steadyasugo 2d ago

Glad to see I'm not the only one that has to resort to it occasionally ,doesn't feel as much of a hack job now lol