How to replace the R8 resistor

Replacing the R8 resistor is easy if you have the right equipment, but can be very tricky without! The main challenge is getting the old resistor off, as it needs to be unsoldered at both ends before it will move.

New R8 resistors are available here.

Ideally you need:

Soldering iron and solder
Solder sucker or solder wick
A pair of needle nosed pliers or tweezers

To replace the resistor:

Apply some fresh solder to both sides of the resistor. This may seem strange, however it will get the heat flowing. Then move the soldering iron between ends of the resistor until it's all hot enough that the resistor slides off (see video 1 below).
Now clean up the pads on the pcb and remove the old solder (see video 2 below)
Apply some fresh solder to one of the pads (see video 2)
Melt the new solder and solder the new resistor in place with the aid of the tweezers (see video 2).
Solder the other end of the resistor in place (see video 2)

That should be it!

Definately don't try to glue a new resistor in place - this won't work reliably and will result in nasty fumes if anyone else tries to do the repair properly with solder.

Video 1 - Removing the old resistor

Video 2 - Fitting the new resistor

This page was last updated at 10:12pm on 27th May 2010