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Foam and adhesive used in MacBook Pro 15" mid 2012 A1286

I'm replacing the upper case on my MacBook Pro 15" mid 2012 A1286 and there is foam and a gold adhesive that I will need to add to the replacement upper. The foam is silver in color and located along where the display hinge would be. The gold adhesive bonded a metal plate to the upper and is connected to an antenna wire that was located below the optical drive. I've added a picture that captures the two parts I am referring to.


What are the material used and suggestions on where to get it?

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Aug 21, 2022 6:48 AM

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3 replies

Aug 21, 2022 7:00 AM in response to dadcanfixanything

dadcanfixanything wrote:

I'm replacing the upper case on my MacBook Pro 15" mid 2012 A1286 and there is foam and a gold adhesive that I will need to add to the replacement upper. The foam is silver in color and located along where the display hinge would be. The gold adhesive bonded a metal plate to the upper and is connected to an antenna wire that was located below the optical drive. I've added a picture that captures the two parts I am referring to.

What are the material used and suggestions on where to get it?

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/43b219a8-f66a-400a-91f7-ee324c0dc2c6


for do it yourself I would search the i fix it site for reference.




otherwise take it in—


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Aug 24, 2022 8:44 PM in response to dadcanfixanything

Probably any double sided tape will work if the current adhesive won't hold. I did this a long time ago for a client and had no problem using the original adhesive to install this part in the other Top Case Assembly (I don't recall it being gold though). I believe the optical drive will hold it in place fairly well anyway, but it has been a long time since I have even removed an optical drive from one of those older laptops. Check the site @leroydouglas mentioned as they may have some notes or suggestions in their guides.


Edit: FYI, make sure the replacement Top Case Assembly is the correct one. There are very slight differences with various models which cannot easily be seen just by sitting them side by side. One of the Logic Board standoffs may be just a fraction of a millimeter off, just enough that it will damage the Logic Board if not addressed (screw hole won't align and the post may damage a component on the board), plus the brackets (center and possibly the optical drive part you are moving) may not be compatible if you have the wrong Top Case Assembly. Again, the differences are ever so slight, so pay close attention or you may end up with a brick.


Foam and adhesive used in MacBook Pro 15" mid 2012 A1286

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