How to Replace MacBook Pro 15 Left Clutch Hinge Tutorial
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 40 Steps
Step 2
– Get ready to release those three identical 2mm Phillips screws from the memory door.
– It’s showtime! Lift that memory door enough to grab it and slide it towards you, gently pulling it away from the casing.
Step 3
– Unscrew those two 2.8 mm Phillips screws hanging out in the battery compartment by the latch. You’ve got this!
Step 4
– Time to get those screws out! Let’s tackle these 6 little guys:
Step 5
– Let’s get started! First, grab your trusty screwdriver and remove the four 3.2 mm PH00 Phillips screws located on the port side of the computer. You’ve got this!
Step 6
– Give your computer a little twist and turn it 90 degrees! Now, go ahead and unscrew those two 3.2 mm Phillips screws at the back. You’ve got this!
Step 7
– Give your computer a little twist and turn it 90 degrees once more! Now, it’s time to unscrew those four 3.2 mm Phillips screws hanging out on the side. You’ve got this!
Step 8
Hey there tech wizard! Take it easy when removing the upper case, it’s like detaching a delicate ribbon from a gift box.
– Start by lifting the back of the case and wiggle your fingers along the sides to loosen it up. Keep going until the sides are free, then give the case a little rock back and forth to liberate the front.
– You’ll find four stubborn plastic clips above the DVD slot, plus another over by the left of the IR sensor. These clips are tough cookies, often needing a bit of prying to pop free. When you’re putting things back together, they can be just as tricky to snap back into place.
– Reassembly Tip: When reattaching the top case, press down hard over each clip until you hear a satisfying snap that lets you know things are snug and secure.
– Reassembly Tip: Those two middle DVD clips are real divas and don’t snap back easily. To avoid a frame-bending workout, slide a plastic spudger into the DVD slot right under the clip. Once it’s snug, press down until you hear that telltale snap.
Tools Used
Step 9
Heads up! You can totally swap out the hard drive without having to detach the keyboard from the body. Just prop it upright to keep it out of your way, giving you free hands to tackle the drive removal.
Watch out when you’re unplugging the keyboard-trackpad ribbon cable. Make sure the back end of the upper case is free from the hinge area. It’s super easy to accidentally warp the screw receivers flanking the keyboard.
– Unplug the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board, making sure to remove any tape if needed.
– Gently take off the upper case.
Step 10
– Unplug those two or three antenna cables from the Airport Extreme card. Depending on your model, you might notice one of the cables is just hanging out, capped off with a neat little black shrink tube.
– No worries! Apple made it super easy for you by adding a handy label that shows where each color-coded antenna cable connects. Just be sure to check it out when you’re plugging everything back in!
Step 11
– Let’s play a little game of hide and seek with the Airport antenna cables – gently guide them away from their cozy spot in the left speaker.
Step 12
– Slide the iSight cable to the left and out of its connector on the logic board. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
Step 13
– Hold the display steady with one hand and unscrew the following screws:
Step 14
– To disconnect the inverter cable from the left I/O board, gently slide a spudger under the cable and lift it up.
Tools Used
Step 15
– Time to give your device some breathing room. Carefully unplug the display data cable from the logic board.
– Say goodbye to the foam bumper perched atop the right hinge of the display; it’s time for a change.
Step 16
– Get ready to say goodbye to that silver 9.2 mm T6 Torx that’s holding the display data cable to the casing. It’s time to give it the old heave-ho!
Step 17
– Hold the display steady with one hand while you carefully take out the following screw:
Step 18
– Grab the display assembly on each side and gently lift it out of the computer. You’ve got this!
Step 19
– Whip out that trusty Phillips screwdriver and remove the 4.5 mm screws from the lower left and right corners of the display (yep, just two screws in total). These little guys have a 0.8 mm thick head. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
Step 20
Remember, gently caress your spudger elsewhere, not between the plastic strip and the rear bezel.
– Grab your trusty spudger and slide the flat end in between the plastic strip on the rear bezel and the front bezel, making sure it’s perpendicular to the display. You’re doing great!
– With the spudger still in place, give it a gentle twist away from the display to help separate those bezels. Keep it up!
– Now, work your way along the right edge of the display, gently prying until the rear bezel is nicely separated from the front bezel. Almost there!
Tools Used
Step 22
– Slide the flat end of your trusty spudger into the little gap between the rear display bezel and the clutch cover.
– Give that spudger a gentle twist to pop the lower edge of the rear display bezel away from the clutch cover.
– Keep working your way along the lower edge of the rear bezel until it’s all nicely separated from the clutch cover.
Tools Used
Step 24
– Take your spudger and slide the flat end between the front bezel and the plastic strip on the rear bezel near the screw holes at the bottom corners of the display.
– Gently rotate your spudger toward the rear bezel to separate it from the front bezel.
– If needed, keep working along the left edge of the rear bezel to free it from the tabs on the front display bezel.
Tools Used
Step 26
– Gently lift up the LED driver board using a spudger tip from under the clutch cover.
Tools Used
Step 27
– Give that backlight cable a gentle tug to disconnect it from the socket on the LED driver board.
Step 28
Be gentle with the LED driver cable ground loop! It’s a super thin, delicate wire that breaks easier than your favorite childhood toy.
– Gently unplug the LED driver cable by pulling its connector away from the socket on the inverter board. You’re doing great!
– Carefully lift out the LED driver board and place it somewhere safe for now. Keep up the good work!
Step 29
– Time to get crafty! Start by peeling away those two pieces of kapton tape that are keeping the display data cable all cozy.
– Next up, let’s give that iSight cable a little freedom! Carefully take off the strip of tape that’s holding it tight against the LCD.
– Now, gently peel back the three antenna straps that are hanging out on the lower edge of the LCD. You’re doing great!
Step 30
– Gently unplug the display data cable by pulling the connector towards the bottom edge of the display, away from the LCD socket. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
Step 31
– Unscrew those two Phillips screws holding down the ground straps for the display data cable and LED driver board cable to the clutch cover.
Step 32
– Pop out that Phillips screw hiding behind the display data cable! If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
Step 33
– Pop out those three Phillips screws behind the antenna straps along the bottom edge of the display. Easy peasy!
Step 34
– Let’s kick things off by sliding the flat end of your trusty spudger into the tiny gap between the clutch hinge and the clutch cover where the cables make their grand exit.
– As you’re gently prying the clutch assembly away from the clutch hinge with your spudger, grab a plastic opening tool to help widen the gap between the clutch cover and the front display bezel – teamwork makes the dream work!
– Keep moving along the length of the clutch cover to completely detach that pesky adhesive. You’ve got this!
Tools Used
Step 35
– Slide the clutch assembly off each of the clutch hinges and gently take it away from the display.
Step 36
Gently press down on the iSight cable while you carefully peel back the tape. No need to take the tape off completely; just a little lift will do the trick!
– Gently lift the tape that’s holding down the iSight cable. You’ve got this!
Step 37
– Grab your trusty plastic opening tool and gently lift the ZIF cable lock like it’s a little secret waiting to be revealed.
– Now, slide the iSight cable out of its cozy socket, giving it the freedom it deserves!
Step 38
– Gently detach the iSight cable from the display.
