Disassemble Linksys WRT54g V5

There is probably only one reason why you would want to take apart your Linksys wireless router – you have bricked it due to a bad firmware flash (or something very similar).

I decided to write some instructions to go with my other article on unbricking the V5. I noticed, looking at the stats for this site, that the majority of visits were for this post. As I said in that article, I could not find (at that time) any info on how to fixed a bricked V5.

These instructions will not only apply for the V5, but the earlier Linksys wireless routers as well.

First of all, the aerials have to be removed. The base of each aerial is cover by a ‘hood’. To remove the hood, twist it and pull (at the same time) it away from the unit. The picture above shows the hood partly off (on the bottom aerial), and then just needs to be slid off the end of the aerial.
The aerials themselves can now be unscrewed.

The WRT54G is not held together by screws, but by plastic tabs. Cheap, but effective. It can be a bit tricky, but there’s a knack to it.

Look at the picture below:

With the base facing towards you, place your hands on either side of the unit (note: my photo only shows one hand as I had to use the other to hold the camera and take the pic!), and place your thumbs on the feet of the WRT54G as shown. Then gently push your thumbs up and the top section (the blue bit) should separate from the remainder of the unit.

Easy as that!

You can then proceed to my original post and unflash the Linksys.