I'm no engineer but please, hardware designers, stop using load bearing solder.
I saw a Sansa Clip Plus going on eBay for cheap so I decided to snag it, as this mp3 player is known for having one of the best DACs (even compared to iPod Classic) as well as community software support (Works remarkably well with Rockbox, which is Linux for mp3 players, providing useful features such as FLAC playback).
First issue was volume down didn't work. Volume up was clicky and functional but volume down had no click. So I pop it open and notice the button is entirely missing. I prod around the device and the button module falls out, apparently stuck to the adhesive on the battery. Solder it back into place and the problem becomes clear; the button has no backstop, when you press the volume keys, all the tension is exerted directly onto the button's solder joints at a 90° angle. Oh well, at least it's fixed, for now. Testing other features and notice the headphone jack drops out when the port is jostled. Further inspection reveals that the tensioner pin that locks the 3.5mm jack into place at the tip is also soldered directly onto the board at 90°, meaning any time headphones are plugged in, it is putting constant tension on the solder joint. After cleaning and applying some fresh solder to all the connections, the device is working well.
We wish!
> providing useful features such as FLAC playback
Agreed.
> Solder it back into place and the problem becomes clear; the button has no backstop, when you press the volume keys, all the tension is exerted directly onto the button's solder joints at a 90° angle.
Worse I find is when you can't just solder it back because the break is not between solder and copper plate, but between copper plate and substrate.
Well done for the restoration.