Hello Wii U community, I am a crazy person from the DS Forum who measured all of the screws and hardware from the DS and 3DS family of consoles.

I recently picked up a Wii U for cheap, and in the process of disassembling the console for a deep clean, I felt I should measure the screws. Since the time that I measured the screws for the DS and 3DS, I have gotten calipers and a better understanding of screwdrivers, so I hope to deliver a fairly accurate base of measurements to work with. I do intend on going back to those posts to update them, but.... time.

I'll simplify these posts so they aren't as unwieldy as my other posts.

How I Measure Screws.​

Using a custom chart that I made, I will be using this as a reference to measure each screw with my calipers.

Measurements done with Calipers will only be done on one screw per category, and will be subject to some amount of inaccuracies due to the size of the screws and the tools I have. Measurements like Thread Pitch, Shank Length, Thread Length, and Recess Width are done by eyeballing it with my calipers and a microscope. Measurements like Thread Diameter and Screw Length will be far more accurate as I can physically clamp them in my calipers.

Resources and Set Up.​

Screws will be sorted by size, going from shortest to longest, rounded to the nearest 0.5mm. In the cases where screws weren't rounded to the whole or half steps, I found their measurements consistent with other screws of the same category, thus, were labeled with their non-standard measurement.

I'll add links to an IFixIt Guide to match my terms to pictures (i.e., Motherboard Screw would point to the Motherboard removal step of an IFixIt guide). If there is no guide, I won't be able to link.

The IFixIt guide I will be referring to for the majority of this post is the Motherboard Replacement Guide. To throw a bit of shade, this guide sucks for tracking screws since everything from Step 12 on no longer marks screws and just basically says, "Yeah, just remove some screws. I won't tell you how many, where they are, or their length." This sort of thing only further justifies my efforts, so I am hoping they are somewhat helpful.

Console Screws​

M2.5 – 3.65 mm Black Machine Screws. Cross Recess #0​

• (4x) Disk Drive Mounting Screw. (Step 9)

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 3.68 mm
• B: 2.23 mm
• C: 0.39 mm
• D: 0.42 mm
• E: 2.54 mm
• F: 0.70 mm
• G: 3.94 mm
• X Recess: 2.02 mm

M2.0 – 4.75 mm Black Machine Screws. Cross Recess #1​

• (2x) Front Panel Mounting Screws (Step 6)

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 4.71 mm
• B: 2.39 mm
• C: 0.53 mm
• D: 0.34 mm
• E: 1.92 mm
• F: 1.55 mm
• G: 4.80 mm
• X Recess: 2.49 mm

M2.5 – 5mm Gold Machine Thread Screw. Cross Recess #1​

• (1x) Upper Housing Metal Shielding Gold Screws
• (1x) Outer Housing Vent Screw Short (Step 2)

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 5.04 mm
• B: 3.42 mm
• C: 0.55 mm
• D: 0.25 mm
• E: 2.54 mm
• F: 0.72 mm
• G: 3.94 mm
• X Recess: 2.53 mm

M2.0 – 5.50 mm Silver Screw. Cross Recess #0​

• (5x) Front Panel Assembly Screws
• (3x) Outer Housing Phillips Screws (Step 1)

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 5.46 mm
• B: 3.98 mm
• C: 0.57 mm
• D: 0.73 mm
• E: 2.01 mm
• F: 0.61 mm
• G: 2.98 mm
• X Recess: 2.01 mm

M 2.3 – 6.40 mm Silver Screw. Y Recess #2.5​

• (2x) Outer Housing Small Y Screws (Step 1)

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 6.38 mm
• B: 4.52 mm
• C: 0.95 mm
• D: 0.98 mm
• E: 2.27 mm
• F: 0.72 mm
• G: 3.25 mm
• Y Recess: 1.93 mm

M2.3 – 7 mm Silver Screws. Cross Recess #1​

• (22x) Metal Shielding Screws. (Step 13)

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 7.00 mm
• B: 4.94 mm
• C: 0.65 mm
• D: 0.92 mm
• E: 2.31mm
• F: 1.47 mm
• G: 3.84 mm
• X Recess: 2.43 mm

M2.5 – 7.20 mm Silver Machine Screw. Cross Recess #1​

• (1x) Outer Housing Vent Screw Long (Step 2)

Caliper Measurements

• A: 7.18 mm
• B: 5.66 mm
• C: 0.44 mm
• D: 0.41 mm
• E: 2.51 mm
• F: 0.88 mm
• G: 3.88 mm
• X Recess: 2.46 mm

M1.5 – 8.5 mm Silver Machine Screw. Cross Recess #0​

• (1x) CMOS Battery Tray Screw

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 8.50 mm
• B: 5.14 mm
• C: 2.55 mm
• D: 0.28 mm
• E: 1.54 mm
• F: 0.54 mm
• G: 3.40 mm
• X Recess: 2.06 mm

M2.3 – 9 mm Black Screw. Cross Recess #1​

• (2x) Black Fan Mounting Screw. (Step 13)
• (2x) Upper Housing Metal Shielding Black Screws
• (2x) Fan Shroud Screws (Step 12)

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 8.97 mm
• B: 6.96 mm
• C: 0.70 mm
• D: 0.93 mm
• E: 2.30 mm
• F: 1.50 mm
• G: 3.80 mm
• X Recess: 2.55 mm

M2.5 – 13.2 mm Silver Screw. Y Recess #2.5​

• (3x) Under Housing Screws (Step 4)
• (1x) Outer Housing Long Screw (Step 1)

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 13.21 mm
• B: 10.46 mm
• C: 0.67 mm
• D: 1.03 mm
• E: 2.56 mm
• F: 1.68 mm
• G: 4.24 mm
• Y Recess: 2.53

M2.2 – 13.60 mm Silver Screws. Cross Recess #1​

• (4x) Heat Sink Screws

Caliper Measurements

• A: 13.59 mm
• B: 5.48 mm
• C: 6.80 mm
• D: 0.44 mm
• E: 2.21 mm
• Shank E: 4 mm
• F: 0.94 mm
• G: 7.82 mm
• X Recess: 2.60 mm

E-Clip​

• (1x) CMOS Tray E-Clip

Caliper Measurements​

• Width - 4.08 mm
• Height – 3.59 mm
• Thickness – 0.44 mm

Disk Drive​

Two Observed Variations exist for the Disk Drive which impact screw quantity and head recess size. There are also significant PCB design and laser ribbon cable differences that render them incompatible with one another (meaning, a 034-ND motherboard doesn't fit well into a 102-ND drive). Be advised.

I will reference the character string located about the QR code on the disk drive itself, as it may be the most reliable model number. The other character and number strings may be unique for each drive.

Current Variations Seen:

• 034-ND (The Model Measured)
• 102-ND

Disk Drive Screws​

M1.75 – 2.4mm Silver Screw. Cross Recess #00.​

• (1x) Top Disk Sensor PCB. 034.ND
• (1x) Bottom Disk Sensor PCB. 034.ND

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 2.41 mm
• B: 1.36 mm
• C: 0.43 mm
• D: .039 mm
• E: 1.75 mm
• F: 0.16 mm
• G: 3.88 mm
• X Recess: 1.44 mm

M1.6 – 3mm Silver Screw. Cross Recess #0.​

• (2x) Upper Disk Spindle Clamp Bracket Screw. 034.ND

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 2.95 mm
• B: 1.45 mm
• C: 0.23 mm
• D: 0.40 mm
• E: 1.62 mm
• F: 0.91 mm
• G: 4.33 mm
• Recess: 1.89 mm

M2 – 3.4mm Silver Screw. Cross Recess #0.​

• (3x) Bottom Housing Small Screw. 034.ND

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 3.41 mm
• B: 1.81 mm
• C: 0.42 mm
• D: 0.37 mm
• E: 1.95 mm
• F: 0.92 mm
• G: 4.90 mm
• X Recess: 2.05 mm

M1.4 – 3.75mm Silver Machine Screw. Cross Recess #00.​

• (1x) Ejection Motor Screw. 034.ND

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 3.74 mm
• B: 2.40 mm
• C: 0.27 mm
• D: 0.25 mm
• E: 1.36 mm
• F: 0.77 mm
• G: 2.49 mm
• X Recess: 1.66 mm

M2 – 4mm Silver Machine Screw. Cross Recess #0.​

• (2x) Metal Housing Screw. 034.ND

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 3.92 mm
• B: 2.21 mm
• C: 0.59 mm
• D: 0.44 mm
• E: 2.02 mm
• F: 0.95 mm
• G: 3.87 mm
• X Recess: 1.98 mm

M1.7 – 4.3mm Silver Screw. Cross Recess #00.​

• (1x) Laser Assembly Screw. 034.ND

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 4.29 mm
• B: 2.76 mm
• C: 0.54 mm
• D: 0.46 mm
• E: 1.72 mm
• F: 0.56 mm
• G: 2.98 mm
• X Recess: 1.57 mm

M2 – 5mm Silver Screw. Cross Recess #0.​

• (2x) Laser Assembly Metal Plate. 034.ND
• (2x) Laser Drive Lead Screw Assembly. 034.ND

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 4.91 mm
• B: 3.17 mm
• C: 0.65 mm
• D: 0.63 mm
• E: 1.93 mm
• F: 1.18 mm
• G: 4.46 mm
• X Recess: 2.21 mm

M2 – 6.5mm Silver Machine Screw. Torx Recess #7.​

• (3x) Disk Motor Screws. 034.ND
  • WARNING! THESE SCREWS ARE TORQUED AND GLUED. TIGHTENING TO FAR WILL SCRATCH YOUR DISKS. EXACT TORGUE SPEC IS UNKNOWN, NOR DO I HAVE THE TOOLS TO TORQUE SCREWS THIS SMALL. MARK SCREWS AND TURN 7 FULL TURNS TO TIGHTEN.

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 6.49 mm
• B: 5.13 mm
• C: 0.58 mm
• D: 0.24 mm
• E: 1.92 mm
• F: 0.73 mm
• G: 3.53 mm
• Torx Recess: 3.13 mm

M2 – 6.85 mm Silver Screw. Cross Recess #1.​

• (4x) Bottom Housing Large Screws. 034.ND

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 6.85 mm
• B: 1.52 mm
• C: 4.23 mm
• D: 0.38 mm
• E: 2.04 mm
• Shank E: 3.48 mm
• F: 0.78 mm
• G: 6.91 mm
• X Recess: 2.50 mm

M2.6 – 7mm Silver Screw. Cross Recess #1.​

• (3x) Disk Cage Screw. 034.ND

Caliper Measurements​

• A: 7.06 mm
• B: 4.02 mm
• C: 1.21 mm
• D: 1.01 mm
• E: 2.59 mm
• F: 1.52 mm
• G: 5.34 mm
• X Recess: 2.43 mm

3.5 mm Spring.​

• (3x) Disk Motor Tension Spring. 034.ND

Caliper Measurements​

• Length: 3.49 mm
• Diameter: 5.08 mm

11mm Spring.​

• (1x) Left Disk Roller Spring. 034.ND

Caliper Measurements​

• Length: 11.12 mm
• Diameter: 6.50 mm

12mm Spring.​

• (1x) Ejection Assembly Spring. 034.ND

Caliper Measurements​

• Length: 11.98 mm
• Diameter: 3.45 mm

12.5mm Spring.​

• (1x) Right Disk Roller Spring. 034.ND

Caliper Measurements​

• Length: 12.52 mm
• Diameter: 6.88 mm

12mm Shaft.​

• (1x) Ejection Belt Gear Shaft.

Caliper Measurements​

• Length: 12.15 mm
• Diameter: 1.50 mm

 

[DolphinPussy]

Incredibly helpful. I become a nervous hormonal wreck when disassembling anything with more than 4 screws, and thus am prone to forgetting things.
Your guide by simply being manifested has already saved me a dozen neurosis enduced headaches, so, thank you!

 

[huma_dawii]

This seems like such an unnecessary research... just like my comment, unnecessary.

 

[KIlly728]

This seems like such an unnecessary research... just like my comment, unnecessary.

If you receive a box of junk Wii U base units that have been torn apart with a bag of unlabeled screws, you will be far less negative about this resource.

 

[Citan_KL]

you're crazy. (you said so yourself)

dont know if you plan on doing the gamepad, but something weird i noticed about it when i had to take one apart is that there are several screw holes inside with no screws. as if nintendo designed everything and then decided to forgo a few screws in order to save 0.02 cents per console (these are some very small screws, as evidenced above). the good news is, with research such as yours, one can easily procure said missing screws and then make an extra sturdy gamepad, should they desire.

 

[KIlly728]

dont know if you plan on doing the gamepad

As it just so happens, I won an auction for a junk lot of Wii U consoles with a few gamepads, so when I get my hands on them, I will supplement this guide with those measurements.

something weird i noticed about it when i had to take one apart is that there are several screw holes inside with no screws. as if nintendo designed everything and then decided to forgo a few screws in order to save 0.02 cents per console (these are some very small screws, as evidenced above). the good news is, with research such as yours, one can easily procure said missing screws and then make an extra sturdy gamepad, should they desire.

That's weird. I would expect it to be wildly overengineered like the Wii U console. I am excited to open it up.