Looks to me as though the clips will pull out from the heatsink at the top channel of the heatsink.
Heatsink probably will be attached to pcb with screws from bottom. Would that be good idea to remove screws and pull heatsink vertically ?
For re-installing first install heatsink than push back clips ?
For re-installing first install heatsink than push back clips ?
Pry out the clips by inserting a flat bladed screw driver between the slot and the transistor tab and twisting. Getting them back in after the repair can be a bit of a challenge. 🙂
Maby the best way is to desolder the hole row with heatsink and everything then pick the broken once ?
Never used them, but my understanding is that those retaining springs are dedicated to a related heatsink with a specific groove.
I think they are disposable, but not sure about that.
I guess that in order to remove them could be enough to simply lift the end of the clip upwards with the tip of a finger (which will probably permanently compromise their elasticity).
However, if that were not the case, I would never use a metal object to do so.
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Just found related instruction to mount some of them.
Now it does not seem doable to remove them by lifting them upwards.
Now it does not seem doable to remove them by lifting them upwards.
It seems that in the last sentence, they are saying that the clips can be moved (but not fall) out of the groove in a sliding (to the side) motion. The poor use of English in the directions doesn't help.
It seems to me that they are saying the exact opposite, that is, that once fixed it will no longer move either longitudinally or transversally. 🤔
It seems to be enough to press horizontally to apply it because the small folds will fit into the dedicated groove.
Perhaps a tool with a thin hook could be enough to remove them moving horizontally in the opposite direction without remove first transistors.
But I think you need to have it in your hands to realize that without ever having done it before.
It seems to be enough to press horizontally to apply it because the small folds will fit into the dedicated groove.
Perhaps a tool with a thin hook could be enough to remove them moving horizontally in the opposite direction without remove first transistors.
But I think you need to have it in your hands to realize that without ever having done it before.
First of all, from the pictures it seems that there is another row of semiconductors on the next heatsink, semiconductors to which there is no access without removing the first heatsink.
It will be difficult for me to explain using the correct words, not being an English speaker, but I will try.
You have to make (from a bicycle wheel spoke, for example) a device with a round section, but most likely it has to be oval and inserted from the side behind the curl of the clip that is inserted into the heatsink slot.
The idea is to raise the end of the clip simultaneously with the outward pressing.
I used something similar many years ago when I faced a similar problem with possibly identical clips.
The following image may also help a little:
It will be difficult for me to explain using the correct words, not being an English speaker, but I will try.
You have to make (from a bicycle wheel spoke, for example) a device with a round section, but most likely it has to be oval and inserted from the side behind the curl of the clip that is inserted into the heatsink slot.
The idea is to raise the end of the clip simultaneously with the outward pressing.
I used something similar many years ago when I faced a similar problem with possibly identical clips.
The following image may also help a little:
Your English is better than some Americans that post here, and your idea is uniquely qualified for at least a try.
perhaps try the right-angle pick tool?
Pull the clip away from the heatsink by the looping part (where the clip meets the heatsink). It may require a substantial amount of force. Remove the two capacitors first as they seem to be in the way. Prepare for sudden release/ejection of the clip, wear protection. Do not grab the assembly by the PCB.
Another method may also work. Place a flat screw driver by the looping part of the clip, over the U channel, as a support point. With a second flat head screw driver, reach behind the looping part of the clip and pry it out in a twisting or whatever motion it takes. Again, prepare for sudden release/eject of the clip, wear protection. Do not grab the assembly by the PCB.
Try shimming up the transistor by inserting extra thickness under the clip, this may help "flatten the curve" at the top of the clip and help its ejection (either pulled or pried).
Pull the clip away from the heatsink by the looping part (where the clip meets the heatsink). It may require a substantial amount of force. Remove the two capacitors first as they seem to be in the way. Prepare for sudden release/ejection of the clip, wear protection. Do not grab the assembly by the PCB.
Another method may also work. Place a flat screw driver by the looping part of the clip, over the U channel, as a support point. With a second flat head screw driver, reach behind the looping part of the clip and pry it out in a twisting or whatever motion it takes. Again, prepare for sudden release/eject of the clip, wear protection. Do not grab the assembly by the PCB.
Try shimming up the transistor by inserting extra thickness under the clip, this may help "flatten the curve" at the top of the clip and help its ejection (either pulled or pried).
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On second thought, I don't think it would work, and I simply hate the thought of using brute force to pry a clip out of those aluminum grooves.
At the end of the day I convinced myself that if you can lift the end of a clip upwards it will easily deform and after having deformed it will lose its elasticity and therefore it will also lose the force that keeps it attached to the transistor.
After that it should be easy to detach it by gently swinging it up and down.
Just my 2 cents...
P. S.: I think they are disposable (they also cost very little) and therefore having to throw them away (having the right replacement) it wouldn't be an issue at all.