How to remove shroud from Sapphire 7950 3L?

[battletoad]

Hello. I have a 7950 non reference with the double fan design. Both fans are on the verge of death. Sometimes they work poorly, othertimes they dont work at all.

The three screws holding these fans are not hard to remove. I can remove the fan furthest away from the exhaust port easily afer unscrewing, because the power cable is easy to disconnect.

However, the other fan cannot be disconnected without removing the shroud because the connect cable is somewhere up underneath the shroud and cannot currently be accessed.

I am concerned about removing the shroud, and would love to have some guidance, but I cannot find anything on youtube or google. I want to try and lube this troublesome fan to see if it will work. If it doesn't I want to order another fan to replace it. Both options will require removing the shroud.

I didn't register the card with Sapphire, so I do not expect to be able RMA it. Even if I did, I hear that they cheare $40 or more dollars to fix cards even if they are still under warranty. I have had the card since April, so I cannot return it to Newegg either.

Removing the shroud is apparently my only option. please help.

 

[Ieat]

I would just contact RMA@althonmicro.com . These are the guys Sapphire subcontracts to handle rmas for them in the US. They will ask you to fill out an rma form and email or fax a copy of your invoice to them. You have to pay shipping to them in Walnut, CA but there should be no charge for the fix or return shipping. Expect the card to be gone for at least 2 weeks though. I had to rma a 5870 two years ago and I had no issues with their service.