Dell PowerEdge T550 Installation and Service Manual

Removing the processor and heat sink module

Follow the safety guidelines listed in Safety instructions.
Follow the procedure that is listed in Before working inside your system.
Remove the air shroud.
NOTE:The heat sink and processor are hot to touch for some time after the system has been powered down. Allow the heat sink and processor to cool down before handling them.

Ensure all four anti-tilt wires are in the locked position (outward position), and then using a Torx T30 tool, loosen the captive nuts on the processor heat sink module (PHM) in the order that is mentioned below:
1. Loosen the first nut three turns.
2. Loosen the nut diagonally opposite to the nut you loosened first.
3. Repeat the procedure for the remaining two nuts.
4. Return to the first nut and loosen it completely.
NOTE:Ensure that the anti-tilt wires on the PHM are in locked position when loosening the captive nuts.
Set all the anti-tilt wires to unlocked position (inward position).
Figure 1. Removing the processor heat sink module
Lift the PHM from the system and set the PHM aside with the processor side facing up.
Figure 2. Removing a heat sink

If you are removing a faulty heat sink, replace the heat sink, if not, remove the processor.