Xbox 360 Repair Kit - X-Clamp Hardware Replacement

The Xbox 360 X-Clamp Hardware kit was mostly as described. I received 8 machine screws, 4 for the CPU heat sink and 4 for the GPU heat sink. I also received 17 nylon washers and 17 metal washers, only 16 of each are required so seller packaged the extras "just in case" I presume. I did not receive any instructions as the listing states, just the hardware. This was a slight problem as I wasn't sure if this was a through the bottom metal plate installation or directly behind the motherboard installation. It didn't take long to figure out they don't go through the bottom plate, but instructions should be included, especially considering how simple those instructions would be and will give details of how to install for those who don't figure it out on their own.To install this kit you first remove the x-clamps from the back of the motherboard carefully. I used a small screwdriver to pry them off. There are plenty of videos online showing how to do this.Then remove the small hex pieces attached to the two heat sinks (the pieces the x-clamps were attached to. The screws in this kit will go into the holes that these hex pieces initially occupy. Clean both heat sinks and the CPU/GPU dies thoroughly with rubbing alcohol (I used 91% rubbing alcohol) to remove the old thermal paste.Apply new thermal paste. Either use what is included in this kit or your own thermal paste. I used Arctic Silver 5 as this is what I already use when building or repairing a PC. Again, there are videos online to show the proper application of thermal paste if you are unsure.When re-attaching the heat sinks you will use the screws and washers included in this kit. The order is from top to bottom: heat sink, metal washer, nylon washer, motherboard, nylon washer, metal washer, screw. This means you put a metal washer and then a nylon washer on each screw. Insert each of these through the Xbox 360 motherboard and place another nylon washer and then a metal washer on the screw posts. The heat sink goes on top and you tighten each of the screws making sure none of the washers slipped out during installation.I tightened the screws fairly tight as the washers between the motherboard and heat sink help keep you from over-tightening. I wanted good contact between the heat sink and the CPU/GPU dies. Over-tightening is still possible and can damage your motherboard so be careful.Once all this was done I partially reassembled my Xbox 360 to test it. When I turned it on it still had the RRoD (3 red lights.) I googled and found that this is common, possibly even normal. I found by reading through forums and repair guides that leaving it powered on for about 15 minutes with the case open and fans plugged in would result in the GPU heat sink getting very hot and the CPU heat sink staying cool enough not to trigger the Xbox to shut itself off. These guides further said that after leaving it on for 15 minutes it needed to cool for at least 30 minutes before powering it on again.Different guides gave different reasons for doing this, either to let the thermal paste set or to heat the GPU enough to reflow the solder. Not sure which applies, if either, but it worked. The guides also stated that if RRoD was not fixed it is probably due to the tension of the screws holding the heat sink. So loosening or tightening them could potentially fix the problem. Luckily I did not have that issue as it worked without having to tighten or loosen the screws that came in this kit.In summary, using this kit and the above instructions my Xbox 360 powered up and is now usable again. The only reason I took away a star is because this kit supposedly came with instructions and it did not so I had to waste time figuring it out.

I got this pretty quickly in the mail, so Kudos for the shipping. I installed it in about 45 minutes, following the directions to a T, and everything worked as described. My Xbox 360 Elite has been running well for about a week now, steadily with no issues. I'll update if anything happens in the long run.Beware though, this only comes with the screws, washers, and some thermal paste. There's also a link that takes you to the directions online on how to do the repair job. The directions were very good. You need to provide your own tools for the rest of the job. Taking the Xbox apart can be a real pain if you don't have the Xbox 360 Unlock tool. Amazon carries it on their site as well. I also didn't use the thermal paste that came with it. I had some IC Diamond 7 laying around, which should be a bit better, but that's not to say that the stuff they provide isn't good.Also, taking the heatsinks off was a bit tough. The old thermal paste had already cured and was hard. You also have to clean that stuff off, and depending on how old your Xbox is, that can take a while. The bulk of my time was spent trying to get that stuff off. You can use some Rubbing Alcohol, or nail polish remover (unscented) but they also sell Arctic Cleaning or something like that that comes in a two bottle package, but I think that's unnecessary.You'll also need some Torx screwdriver sets to take the Xbox completely apart.All in all, this is a very good product that makes things just that much easier in repairing your Xbox. I wish I only went online to research it before I bought a replacement Xbox (New S Model). Oh well, it was an excuse to get one anyway. Now I have two Xboxes in the house!

I bought this product and followed the instructions down to a "T" but it still does not work. I used the Arctic silver cleaning kit and thermal paste and attempted it twice. One with the recommended portions, and again with a little more. Still no go.I've tried the alternate methods to the "10-15%" chance it doesn't work though I checked the forums and to me, it seemed like a rather large portion of non fixes.In the forums it also tells you how to tell what error your RROD has (MAKE SURE YOU DO THIS BEFORE BUYING ANYTHING) Hold down the sync and eject button at the same time until the lights change into quick flashing lights. 4 lights=0, 3=3,2=2,1=1. While still holding the sync button press the eject button again three more times.You should get four numbers. Mine was 4422=0022 which is some type of error that apparently is usually not fixed with this kit.This kit fixes overheating problems, some of the other problems are due to the poor soldering done with the GPU/CPU which then needs to be sent in to someone who can re-solder the chips.I can assure you that it was the x-clamps that are to blame for my xbox breaking. I believe this kit would have saved my xbox. The only problem is that replacing your xbox with this kit nulls your warranty. So let's hope your xbox is good after the warranty is up.Overall it's a good product with great instructions. But you can only do so much to try and make a crappy product like an xbox 360 last.