tightening lid hinges

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Level 1

59 points

tightening lid hinges

My early 2006 MBP 17" fell out of my bag onto the floor, striking the back left corner. I was relieved that it was still working, so I closed it up and put it back in the bag. When I got back to my office, I noticed the screen was a little dimmer in two vertical areas.

But I was more troubled by the fact that the lid hinges no longer keep the lid open at a specific angle- it just wants to go fully open.

I am trying to hold out until Spring, after the next MBP refresh, to replace it. In the meantime, what can I do to tighten up the hinges? The back left corner only got slightly dented.

MacPro, iMac, MBPro17CoreDuo 2.16, Pbk17 G4 1.67, Pbk12 G4 1.5, var G4&G5's, Mac OS X (10.6.2), 1 TB Time Capsule (early 2009) & Airport Express

Posted on Dec 18, 2009 10:33 PM

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Answer 1

CMCSK

Level 6

11,452 points

Dec 19, 2009 7:41 PM in response to Glen Grayson

Other than letting an Apple Store or AASP fixing it? Do it yourself solutions - Do-It-Yourself Laptop Repair

FixYa

Computers

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Answer 2

Glen Grayson Author

Level 1

59 points

Dec 20, 2009 4:53 PM in response to CMCSK

Thanks. I checked out the first suggestion, and they don't take you beyond disassembling the bottom case. I guess I am going in tonight, to have a look.

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Answer 3

CMCSK

Level 6

11,452 points

Dec 20, 2009 5:13 PM in response to Glen Grayson

What about the 2nd and 3rd links? Another place I forgot to mention is YouTube. They have thousands of "How To" mac videos.

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Answer 4

Glen Grayson Author

Level 1

59 points

Dec 20, 2009 5:35 PM in response to CMCSK

The second one seemed to be a pay site, and the third one looked kind of PC-focused. I will try youtube now. Then I think my son and I are going in.

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Answer 5

Glen Grayson Author

Level 1

59 points

Dec 20, 2009 11:03 PM in response to Glen Grayson

Well, we found a pretty helpful video on youtube, that took us through the steps to get to the hinges on a 15" MBP (pretty much the same as a 17". It turns out, though, that the shaft of my right hinge clutch assembly had sheered off in the fall, so my only hope was to be able to purchase a new hinge clutch assembly. It seems that Apple doesn't sell that kind of part separately- you buy the whole screen assembly. Not worth it.

I searched online, and found a few possibilities, but they either had the wrong picture, or were not exactly the right part, so I decided they were not worth the gamble.

Finally, I have a decommissioned PowerBook G4, and we took that one apart, in the hopes that the hinge assembly could be used, but it is of a slightly different design.

So I guess I will just shove a couple of heavy books behind it, until I buy a new one this spring. Hard lesson learned.

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Answer 6

Dec 21, 2009 11:53 AM in response to Glen Grayson

Check w/your homeowners or renters insurance policy. Most cover accidental "property" damage.

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Answer 7

Glynn

Level 4

1,375 points

Dec 21, 2009 12:31 PM in response to Glen Grayson

Hi. I've done this on my 15" and it works like a charm. Here is a YouTube link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DQI0ukUfMs

Before doing it I would download all the info from iFixit and watch the video
a couple of times. It is very easy to remove the display. The hard part is
the clutch cover...Putting it back on!! You will need a TORX driver. You can pick
one up for under $4 u.s.

Good luck
Glynn

Message was edited by: Glynn

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Answer 8

Glen Grayson Author

Level 1

59 points

Dec 21, 2009 1:55 PM in response to Glynn

Glynn,

I watched that video several times last night, while we were pulling it apart. I have to TORX drivers, so that wasn't an issue. The problem I discovered was that the impact of my mac to the floor was right on the corner next to the hinge, and it caused my hinge shaft to shear (break), so that it no longer exerts a twisting motion on the spring. So with only one working spring, there is not enough resistance to hold the monitor at any specific angle.

What that video is showing is how to get to the springs in order to tighten them up, if things have gotten loose. It is a pain putting the clutch cover back on- we did it five times because we kept realizing that we had forgotten to do this or that.

So I have this tall modern lamp with a weighted base, that I have placed right behind my MBP, to keep the screen at a comfortable angle. So at least at my desk at work, it is OK. At home, on my lap, is another story.

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Answer 9

CMCSK

Level 6

11,452 points

Dec 21, 2009 3:49 PM in response to Glen Grayson

At home, on my lap, is another story.

Macbook Pro is not a laptop. From MacBook Pro: Care, Use, and Safety Information
For prolonged use, place your MacBook Pro on a flat, stable surface. Do not place your MacBook Pro on your lap or other body surface for extended periods of time. Prolonged body contact can cause discomfort and potentially a burn.

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