That pin shown above is missing on my tray, and that metal heat sink? moves from side to side...So I'm think the other one is missing also. How can I fix this?
Is that a problem going forward?
Mac Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9), 2.93GHz Dual Quad-Core
Those black plastic pins keep the heatsink tightly clamped over the "Northbridge" chip. That is the hottest part inside your Mac. Failure to restore the heatsink to its proper operation will soon result in wildly erratic operation and spectacular crashes for completely unknown reasons.
Readers have written that they replaced those pins with slender nylon bolts and nuts, to good effect. This restored the required pressure (formerly applied by the springs) of the heatsink onto the chip below without encountering any short circuit problems, because nylon bolts (like the plastic pins) are not conductive.
I have not read any stories of Users getting successful exact replacement parts from any source.
You already removed the most difficult stuff. A handful more screws and the main board will come right out and give you access to the underside to install a new solution.
There may be other solutions on hobbyist boards such as xlr8yourmac, macrumors forums, netkas, or similar sites. I don't follow them very much, but some other "regulars" here do.
This illustrated guide shows the steps.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Replacing-Upgrading+Mac+Pro+Processors+%28Early+200 8%29/17562
EDIT: Wait, what??
you have the dual quad 2.93 ? Isn't that a 2009 model? that is MUCH easier!
This guide for 2009 through 2012:
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Mac+Pro+Early+2009+Teardown/3528
That guide is not much help except step 25. You may need the service manual, or search for an article that shows upgrade from 4-core to 6-core (or 8 to 12).
Thanks Grant! That's what I was afraid of..😟
Grant,
Actually I grabbed that pic off the net just to show what pin I was talking about, how difficult is it to remove those heat sinks?
Thanks Grant! I really appreciate it!
Black pin on Mac Pro CPU tray is missing!
