17" MBP hinges too tight

Another attempted edit to add content failed; due to time-out

while reading pages online (slow internet at high rates.) Here

is part of what was not saved to the earlier reply:

An older discussion in ASC about 17-inch MacBook Pro hinges referenced a

set of tools (looks for smaller display macbook/pro hinges; this [ one ] in fact.)

Note radtech tools linked in [ blue word ] -- didn't check for other display kits.

The old discussion from 2006 or so has explanations of different model hinge

and several user inputs; but no info on how to adjust tension on 17-inch.

17" MacBook Pro - loose DISPLAY HINGE - Is this NORMAL ?

and where 17-inch considered tighter than 15-inch 17-inch hinges

So a matter of time verses revisions to posted content is against those of

us whose internet providers get premium rate for mediocre performance.

Then scrolling through the unnecessary content to reach 'reply' button

also can kill an edit; because I can wait 45 seconds or more once I do, to

see if the content is accepted or rejected due to the time-out factor.

A technical issue, fraught with other miscellaneous technical problems...!

Good luck & happy trails! 🙂

You may be able to contact an independent Apple authorized service provider;

some have good parts inventory and staff who knows older & newer models...

In the past when I had some questions, to decide if I were to send in a portable

Mac computer (or not) I was able to contact the staff at 'wegenermedia dot com'

by email (and later by phone) and found they were very helpful. Even in matters

where I decided to forego repairs, were courteous and gave accurate information.

There is a form to ask questions of their service dept here: Contact Us

wegenermedia.com/service.html (old link now goes to more general page)

Other mac-centric service providers who may give detailed technical info

could include any who may accept portables sent them by parcel service.

(I'd mailed a few to wegenermedia at considerable cost-saving over local

shops who I learned didn't repair them in-house; they sent their jobs out.)

Because I've not taken the hinge assembly apart to inspect or replace component

parts, those details are lacking from my experience. Perhaps another whose

interests have taken them there, may see your inquiry (and above newest question)

to venture a reply in this instance; if the hinges are adjustable & how that is done.

Would seem to reason there should be an adjustment, especially with a larger 17

inch portable display; due to subtle wear or other variables with hinged weight.

Perhaps this may be helpful: Apple MacBook Pro (17-inch Late 2008) in pdf

link to download manual

Sorry that I don't have a source; there may be an older service manual or pdf

to view for free online; be wary of sites that may download adware instead.

Good luck & happy trails! 🙂

edited 2x

Although I did reference one of a few service source guides, the link provided

does not appear to show or tell exacting details concerning any adjustment

although there are part numbers for the clutch mechanisms for left & right side.

{And I read through most of the PDF as linked; there is an option depending

on your browser, to download or view in-browser. For the bandwidth wasted

otherwise, I recommend 'download to view the 204 page guide offline' later.}

Tried to edit the above reply but had timed-out. Otherwise, perhaps the guide

may be good for other issues. Not sure if there were specific iFixit.com tear-

down or repair guides that make mention of adjusting MB/Pro 17-in. display.

To talk to an actual service tech, or ask wegenermedia etc; may be worthwhile.

In any event...

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

You may have to consider a hinge replacement operation, perhaps note if

the new hinges seem lacking in lubrication before installing; maybe use a

little bit of synthetic modern lubrication instead of silicone. Most propellant

in silicone spray eventually will off-gass; so little silicone remains behind.

And any excess may ooze or drip awhile, if non-synthetic is used.

Some of the better products are used in fine machinery or in mechanical

camera, or other maintenance & repair. Most say if they are synthetic &

some of those are not aerosol. I've used several; most work better than

silicone spray and last longer. New hinges could be flexed many times

before installation with synthetic lubricant worked into the pivot points.

Clean off all excess, if you do this. Good synthetic will dry and leave

only lubrication, not propellant. And dry lubrication will not attract dust.

This lube should prevent excess metal-on-meal wear, as in a car engine.

{Note, that other users had issue with their MacBook Pro 17-inch hinges

being too loose; so that may be something to consider before pre-lubing

the hinge replacement prior to assembly; maybe just flex them a few

dozen times to see if they break-in some without synthetic lubrication. I'd

consider flexing them awhile, then apply a little synthetic, flex more, and

wipe; to see if they break in a little... before installing the new hinges. The

hinges may show some metal bits in the excess lubrication, that will show

up on clean fine lint-free (disposable) wipe cloth, as it is removed.}

This kind of repair is considered 'Difficult' so a qualified service may required.

A good computer repair shop specializing in Mac portables may have ideas.

You also may wish to have someone experienced in restoring this do the job.

The first listed guide info should apply to a 2008 model, 2009 is a unibody.

MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 ... - iFixit

MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Left Clutch Hinge Replacement - iFixit

I see some iFixit guides that include hinge information; note more than one

article pertains to hinges and 17-inch MacBook/Pro in iFixit.com site.

• iFixit Repair Guides for MacBook Pro 17-inch Models (two build series)

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro_17%22

Repair shops such as powerbookmedic, and wegenermedia.com should

be able to cite exacting quotes for this kind of work. Consider other upgrade

because the unit will be mostly apart and other replacement items easily put

inside at that point. And labor at that point, per item, significantly less.

In any event...

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

•Here is more info; see page from http://mactracker.ca re: MacBookPro4.1

{Note: there are two build models that use same Model A1261 & 4.1 Identifier}

• An Early 2008 page in MacTracker.ca database shows second version

with EMC 2199 (missing from Late 2008) provides confusion; perhaps it

may show graphic option and spec changes in the general build year; see:

So this is where I find issue with some database information. I have not looked

into http://everymac.com where slight model build changes may appear. A

matter of graphics output and screen resolution makes me think you have a

Late 2008 model, by graphic specs. If it has optional anti-glare or glossy, that

may be part of the difference in the Late 2008 and Early 2008.

Based in actual identifiers you provided, by serial no. lookup, I see this info:

{page from https://www.powerbookmedic.com/identify-mac-serial.php below}

has two tabs, first shows parts, second one shows specs + yr/wk information:

This info from 'identification lookup' powerbookmedic coincides w/ mactracker.

{A second page for each version 17-inch MacBook Pro4.1 (& two exist) shows

the subtle difference in specs and various aspect ratios, plus resolution specs.

So if you get the MacTracker.ca app and look into these specific items, it may

yield clues to what I'm seeing. There are rational limits to adding to posts here.}

Also, RAM could see upgrade past 4GB; actually use 6GB total. 1-4GB + 1-2GB

So here is a bit more to consider. Also I did not see actual part listing at pb medic

pages for the hinges; the iFixit and other sources will show or list them in reference.

Sorry to find the MacTracker shows two builds, yours does seem to be

the MacBook/Pro4.1 but there are two of these, only one has EMC #.

If you can sort out which exact build version you have, that may help.

You could get the download from mactracker site or from MacAppStore

of their database application. I've the application from their web site.

Based on the Build Yr and Week info from powerbookmedic database

I'd say your MacBook Pro4.1 17-inch model would be Late 2008 build.

Good luck in this matter! 🙂

As stated earlier, the lookup by serial number and other databases available

to me suggest your product can be identified with the number A1261; but I

was trying to more exactly identify it. By using the Build Month/Year info from

powerbookmedic lookup, your product is closely identified (where it co-relates)

where all these bits match. I looked up Serial Number (system): W8xxxxxR8

you supplied, with those numbers not xxxx'd out.

Both 17" products use same A1261 number, but are 2 distinct different builds.

Yet the main 'build date' clearly appears to place your unit as newest of two.

And according to MacTracker database, it is the newer of the two. Go with it

for the rest of the information; there is a question of the EMC number; only

one (early) uses that. Use database at http://everymac.com to further affirm it.

"Based on the Build Yr and Week info from powerbookmedic database

I'd say your MacBook Pro4.1 17-inch model would be Late 2008 build."

So with this, you should be able to tell the parts reseller what you think it is,

and why. Other sellers of parts may be able to use the serial number from your

product to narrow down the correct replacement parts for the one you have.

{Within the MacTracker app, I can look through in progression, and see all of

the model build series numbers along with specifications; but your model has

two appear with same A- number. This number is not the problem, as I see it}

Seems to me the main issue would be to affirm the hinge parts either are the

same - between these to model builds - or if not, to get the parts that fit.

Some of the parts suppliers can be talked to by phone, for example if you are

able to call wegenermedia in the US during local business hours, and ask if

they can quote you price and availability of replacement hinges for a 17-inch

MacBook Pro (A1261) and then say, you understand there are two models

that use this same number; by serial number lookup (powerbookmedic) they

say yours is a Late 2008 with sales order number MB766LL/A made in Oct

2008. If there is a difference between those hinge parts, & -other- Early 2008

model that uses sales order number MB166LL/A (EMC 2199) that uses same

other number, A1261, they should be able to tell you from their database.

Only one of these (early) shows an EMC 2199; while both show A1261.

At this point, be sure: if you do order parts with an idea of someone else doing

the repair work - who has agreed to install parts you supply - the parts are correct.

Be sure to ask - if a return authorization is required - should the parts not fit.

There is a high likelihood the Early 2008 and the Late 2008 MacBook/Pro 17-inch

both use the same hinge; if there was an upgrade those specs, later should have it.

Your original Sales order number may help the final confirmation.

Good luck and happy trails! 🙂