I've worked with various ZIF ribbon cable sockets and they all had
closures that were designed to stay attached to the socket in one way or
another. Removable, but not meant to be removed for service.
Same with this one but my fingernails or finger muscles must be too strong.
Begs the question - what is the correct method for removing these wedges ?
In a controlled manner so only 2mm of movement either end, and no more, so
the sub-mm pauls don't shear off in the process of overcoming the grab
force.
I forgot that I did try with the closer wedge in place, located on end
cheeks, so perhaps nibs not broken.
It was not possible to put the ribbon back in through the gap without
pushing the closer in place before the ribbon had bottomed in the connector.
It's easy to ham-fist the things, because they aren't exactly sized for
the human hand. A very small screwdriver or hooked dental probe to
unlatch either end in turn evolved as one good approach, and fingernails
useful too if there's room for the finger. Certainly easy to rip right
past the tiny detents designed to hold them in the open position during
ribbon cable removal and replacement. As you noted, limited access
compounds the surgery.
I worked on (completely dismantled, modified, used selected
sub-assemblies from, etc.) a half dozen different models of camcorders
from 3 different manufacturers quite a bit during a several-year-long
R&D project, and did find mixed styles, with a different approach needed
for each. Some slide, some pivot.