The REAL "creaking macbook hinge" solution
It's not uncommon for current generation MacBook Pro users - including me - to experience a "creaking" noise" when opening/closing their computers.
The net is full of "solutions," including running waxed dental floss in the hinge areas.
I am a mechanical engineer with 24 years of experience and can tell you what the actual problem and solution is.
The screen portion of the assembly must be precisely centered in the chassis in order to get the proper clearance at each side of the hinge. Upon close examination, eople who hear the "creaking" sound will notice that their screen is offset slightly and is actually rubbing on the chassis at that location. This attributable to imprecise assembly at the factory.
You could take the entire unit apart and attempt to precisely center the screen, relative to the chassis.
Or, you could do what I did:
Take a small piece of emery cloth (220 grit or something close to it) and, with the unit opened, CAREFULLY sand away the aluminum on the CHASSIS (not the screen) in that area. I say "carefully," since there are some wires in that location (which, fortunately, are sheathed).
This will eliminate the interference fit and, if done correctly, will be all but invisible unless you examine the area under magnification.
I also lubed the hinges with BreakFree lubcricant.
http://www.break-free.com/
I have been "creak free" for more than 3 months now and the hinge mechanisms works much more freely.
The net is full of "solutions," including running waxed dental floss in the hinge areas.
I am a mechanical engineer with 24 years of experience and can tell you what the actual problem and solution is.
The screen portion of the assembly must be precisely centered in the chassis in order to get the proper clearance at each side of the hinge. Upon close examination, eople who hear the "creaking" sound will notice that their screen is offset slightly and is actually rubbing on the chassis at that location. This attributable to imprecise assembly at the factory.
You could take the entire unit apart and attempt to precisely center the screen, relative to the chassis.
Or, you could do what I did:
Take a small piece of emery cloth (220 grit or something close to it) and, with the unit opened, CAREFULLY sand away the aluminum on the CHASSIS (not the screen) in that area. I say "carefully," since there are some wires in that location (which, fortunately, are sheathed).
This will eliminate the interference fit and, if done correctly, will be all but invisible unless you examine the area under magnification.
I also lubed the hinges with BreakFree lubcricant.
http://www.break-free.com/
I have been "creak free" for more than 3 months now and the hinge mechanisms works much more freely.
MacBook Pro 13", current design., Mac OS X (10.5.8)