Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

46

Time Required

                          1 - 2 hours

Sections

10

  • Battery
  • 1 step
  • RAM Shield
  • 2 steps
  • Upper Case
  • 7 steps
  • Display
  • 3 steps
  • Rear Display Bezel
  • 7 steps
  • Display Inverter
  • 4 steps
  • Clutch Assembly
  • 8 steps
  • Inverter/Antenna Cables
  • 4 steps
  • Left Clutch Hinge
  • 1 step
  • Front Display Bezel
  • 9 steps

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  • BackMacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261

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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Battery
  • Use your fingers to push both battery release tabs away from the battery and lift the battery out of the computer.

Use your fingers to push both battery release tabs away from the battery and lift the battery out of the computer.

1024

Step 2

              RAM Shield
  • Remove the four identical Phillips 3.4 mm screws from the memory door. These screws have 4 mm diameter heads rather than the 3 mm heads on the body screws.

Remove the four identical Phillips 3.4 mm screws from the memory door. These screws have 4 mm diameter heads rather than the 3 mm heads on the body screws.

Step 3

  • Lift the memory door up enough to get a grip on it, and slide it toward you, pulling it away from the casing.

Lift the memory door up enough to get a grip on it, and slide it toward you, pulling it away from the casing.

Step 4

              Upper Case
  • Remove the three Phillips screws in the battery compartment near the latch. Apple was nice enough to tilt these screws at a slight angle to make them easier to remove. On the A1261 these screws have 4 mm diameter heads rather than the 3 mm heads on the body screws.

Remove the three Phillips screws in the battery compartment near the latch. Apple was nice enough to tilt these screws at a slight angle to make them easier to remove. On the A1261 these screws have 4 mm diameter heads rather than the 3 mm heads on the body screws.

Step 5

  • Remove the following six screws:
  • Two 14.5 mm T6 Torx screws on either side of the RAM slot.
  • Four 3.4 mm Phillips screws along the hinge.

Remove the following six screws:

Two 14.5 mm T6 Torx screws on either side of the RAM slot.

Four 3.4 mm Phillips screws along the hinge.

Step 6

  • Remove the four 3.4 mm Phillips screws on the port side of the computer.

Remove the four 3.4 mm Phillips screws on the port side of the computer.

Step 7

  • Rotate the computer 90 degrees and remove the two Phillips screws from the rear of the computer.

Rotate the computer 90 degrees and remove the two Phillips screws from the rear of the computer.

Step 8

  • Rotate the computer 90 degrees again and remove the four Phillips screws from the side of the computer.

Rotate the computer 90 degrees again and remove the four Phillips screws from the side of the computer.

Step 9

  • Do not yank the upper case off quickly. The case is attached to the logic board via a ribbon cable.
  • Lift up the back of the case and work your fingers along the sides, freeing the case as you go. Once you have freed the sides, you may need to rock the case up and down to free the front of the upper case.

Do not yank the upper case off quickly. The case is attached to the logic board via a ribbon cable.

Lift up the back of the case and work your fingers along the sides, freeing the case as you go. Once you have freed the sides, you may need to rock the case up and down to free the front of the upper case.

Step 10

  • Disconnect the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board.
  • Remove the upper case.

Disconnect the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board.

Remove the upper case.

Step 11

              Display
  • Disconnect the two antenna cables from the AirPort Extreme card, the iSight and inverter cables from the left side of the logic board, and the display data cable from the right side of the logic board. Be careful to slide the connectors as they may become damaged otherwise.
  • For A1229 and A1212 models, disconnect the three antenna cables from the AirPort Extreme card and the three connectors highlighted on the logic board.
  • For the A1229, the order of the cables from left to right is: Black (left; towards the edge of the case) — Grey (middle) — Blue (right; towards the middle of the case.
  • For the A1261 model, disconnect the two antenna cables from the AirPort Extreme card and the three connectors highlighted on the logic board.
  • Carefully peel the iSight and inverter cables off the top of the left fan and de-route the AirPort antenna cables from the channel in the left speaker.

Disconnect the two antenna cables from the AirPort Extreme card, the iSight and inverter cables from the left side of the logic board, and the display data cable from the right side of the logic board. Be careful to slide the connectors as they may become damaged otherwise.

For A1229 and A1212 models, disconnect the three antenna cables from the AirPort Extreme card and the three connectors highlighted on the logic board.

For the A1229, the order of the cables from left to right is: Black (left; towards the edge of the case) — Grey (middle) — Blue (right; towards the middle of the case.

For the A1261 model, disconnect the two antenna cables from the AirPort Extreme card and the three connectors highlighted on the logic board.

Carefully peel the iSight and inverter cables off the top of the left fan and de-route the AirPort antenna cables from the channel in the left speaker.

Step 12

  • Remove the ten silver T6 Torx screws securing the display (five on each side-take note that the inside screws on both sides are longer with a thinner head).
  • Don’t forget to replace the hinge end caps when reinstalling the display assembly. The end caps are side specific, so be sure that the posts are facing towards the lower case.

Remove the ten silver T6 Torx screws securing the display (five on each side-take note that the inside screws on both sides are longer with a thinner head).

Don’t forget to replace the hinge end caps when reinstalling the display assembly. The end caps are side specific, so be sure that the posts are facing towards the lower case.

Step 13

  • Grasp the display assembly on both sides and lift it up and out of the computer.

Grasp the display assembly on both sides and lift it up and out of the computer.

Step 14

              Rear Display Bezel
  • The hinge end caps on this model can be easily removed at this point, as they are not fastened to the hinge and may fall off during service.
  • Remove the Phillips screws from the lower left and right corners of the display (two screws total).

The hinge end caps on this model can be easily removed at this point, as they are not fastened to the hinge and may fall off during service.

Remove the Phillips screws from the lower left and right corners of the display (two screws total).

Step 15

  • Insert the flat end of a spudger perpendicular to the face of the display between the plastic strip attached to the rear bezel and the front bezel.
  • Do not insert your spudger between the plastic strip and the rear bezel.
  • With the spudger still inserted, rotate it away from the display to separate the front and rear bezels.
  • Work along the right edge of the display until the rear bezel is evenly separated from the front bezel.

Insert the flat end of a spudger perpendicular to the face of the display between the plastic strip attached to the rear bezel and the front bezel.

Do not insert your spudger between the plastic strip and the rear bezel.

With the spudger still inserted, rotate it away from the display to separate the front and rear bezels.

Work along the right edge of the display until the rear bezel is evenly separated from the front bezel.

Step 16

  • Insert your spudger between the front and rear display bezels at the lower right corner of the display.
  • Pry the rear bezel away from the front bezel to slightly separate the bottom edge of the rear display bezel.

Insert your spudger between the front and rear display bezels at the lower right corner of the display.

Pry the rear bezel away from the front bezel to slightly separate the bottom edge of the rear display bezel.

Step 17

  • Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap between the rear display bezel and the clutch cover.
  • Twist the spudger to separate the lower edge of the rear display bezel from the clutch cover.
  • Work along the lower edge of the rear bezel until it is evenly separated from the clutch cover.

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap between the rear display bezel and the clutch cover.

Twist the spudger to separate the lower edge of the rear display bezel from the clutch cover.

Work along the lower edge of the rear bezel until it is evenly separated from the clutch cover.

Step 18

  • Now that the right and bottom edges of the rear bezel are slightly separated from the front bezel, use a spudger to pop the rear bezel off the tabs near the lower right corner of the display.

Now that the right and bottom edges of the rear bezel are slightly separated from the front bezel, use a spudger to pop the rear bezel off the tabs near the lower right corner of the display.

Step 19

  • Insert the flat end of a spudger between the front bezel and the plastic strip attached to the rear bezel near the screw holes at the bottom corners of the display.
  • Rotate your spudger toward the rear bezel to separate it from the front bezel.
  • If necessary, continue separating the left edge of the rear bezel off the tabs on the front display bezel.

Insert the flat end of a spudger between the front bezel and the plastic strip attached to the rear bezel near the screw holes at the bottom corners of the display.

Rotate your spudger toward the rear bezel to separate it from the front bezel.

If necessary, continue separating the left edge of the rear bezel off the tabs on the front display bezel.

Step 20

  • Slightly lift the lower edge of the display and pull it away from the rear display bezel.
  • The rear display bezel remains.

Slightly lift the lower edge of the display and pull it away from the rear display bezel.

The rear display bezel remains.

Step 21

              Display Inverter
  • Remove the piece of tape securing the backlight cables to the front display bezel.

Remove the piece of tape securing the backlight cables to the front display bezel.

Step 22

  • Carefully lift the inverter out of the clutch cover.

Carefully lift the inverter out of the clutch cover.

Step 23

  • Disconnect the inverter cable by pulling its connector away from the socket on the inverter board.

Disconnect the inverter cable by pulling its connector away from the socket on the inverter board.

Step 24

  • Disconnect the backlight connector from the inverter board.
  • Be careful when removing this connector, as it may be firmly seated in its socket.
  • Remove the inverter from the display.

Disconnect the backlight connector from the inverter board.

Be careful when removing this connector, as it may be firmly seated in its socket.

Remove the inverter from the display.

Step 25

              Clutch Assembly
  • Use the flat end of a spudger to carefully peel off the three antenna straps stuck to the lower edge of the LCD.

Use the flat end of a spudger to carefully peel off the three antenna straps stuck to the lower edge of the LCD.

Step 26

  • Remove the five Phillips screws securing the clutch cover to the bottom edge of the front display bezel.

Remove the five Phillips screws securing the clutch cover to the bottom edge of the front display bezel.

Step 27

  • Remove the two pieces of tape securing the display data cable to the LCD.

Remove the two pieces of tape securing the display data cable to the LCD.

Step 28

  • Disconnect the display data cable from the LCD by pulling it toward the bottom edge of the display.

Disconnect the display data cable from the LCD by pulling it toward the bottom edge of the display.

Step 29

  • Move the display data cable out of the way to remove the Phillips screw hidden underneath.

Move the display data cable out of the way to remove the Phillips screw hidden underneath.

Step 30

  • While pulling the clutch assembly away from the clutch hinge with one hand, insert an iPod opening tool between the clutch cover and the front display bezel to lift the clutch cover over the retaining pin on the front display bezel.
  • Pull the clutch assembly away from the front display bezel.

While pulling the clutch assembly away from the clutch hinge with one hand, insert an iPod opening tool between the clutch cover and the front display bezel to lift the clutch cover over the retaining pin on the front display bezel.

Pull the clutch assembly away from the front display bezel.

Step 31

  • Repeat the process covered in the previous step to free the other side of the clutch assembly from the front display bezel.

Repeat the process covered in the previous step to free the other side of the clutch assembly from the front display bezel.

Step 32

  • Remove the clutch assembly from the front display bezel, minding any cables that may get caught.

Remove the clutch assembly from the front display bezel, minding any cables that may get caught.

Step 33

              Inverter/Antenna Cables
  • Remove the three pieces of tape securing the camera cable to the display assembly.

Remove the three pieces of tape securing the camera cable to the display assembly.

Step 34

  • Use the tip of a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the ZIF retaining flap on the camera cable socket at the edge of the camera board near the top center of the front display bezel.
  • Be sure you are prying up on the retaining flap, not the socket itself.
  • Pull the camera cable out of its socket.

Use the tip of a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the ZIF retaining flap on the camera cable socket at the edge of the camera board near the top center of the front display bezel.

Be sure you are prying up on the retaining flap, not the socket itself.

Pull the camera cable out of its socket.

Step 35

  • Peel the camera cable off the foam tape along the top edge of the display.

Peel the camera cable off the foam tape along the top edge of the display.

Step 36

  • Remove the inverter/antenna cables from the display.

Remove the inverter/antenna cables from the display.

Step 37

              Left Clutch Hinge
  • Remove the four 3.5 mm T6 Torx screws securing the left clutch hinge to the front display bezel.
  • Remove the left clutch hinge from the front display bezel.

Remove the four 3.5 mm T6 Torx screws securing the left clutch hinge to the front display bezel.

Remove the left clutch hinge from the front display bezel.

Step 38

              Front Display Bezel
  • Remove the display data cable from the display.

Remove the display data cable from the display.

Step 39

  • Remove the four 3.5 mm T6 Torx screws securing the right clutch hinge to the front display bezel.
  • Remove the right clutch hinge from the front display bezel.

Remove the four 3.5 mm T6 Torx screws securing the right clutch hinge to the front display bezel.

Remove the right clutch hinge from the front display bezel.

Step 40

  • Remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws along the right edge of the display.

Remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws along the right edge of the display.

Step 41

  • Remove the two 3.2 mm Phillips screws on the top edge of the display.

Remove the two 3.2 mm Phillips screws on the top edge of the display.

Step 42

  • Remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws along the left edge of the display.

Remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws along the left edge of the display.

Step 43

  • The next few steps will require you to separate the LCD from the adhesive applied to the upper and lower edges of the front bezel.
  • The adhesive is applied such that it sticks to a thin steel strip around the perimeter of the LCD. When prying your LCD away from the front panel, be sure you are separating the front panel from the steel strip on the LCD.
  • Use the flat end of a spudger to gently lift one of the top corners of the LCD out of the front bezel.

The next few steps will require you to separate the LCD from the adhesive applied to the upper and lower edges of the front bezel.

The adhesive is applied such that it sticks to a thin steel strip around the perimeter of the LCD. When prying your LCD away from the front panel, be sure you are separating the front panel from the steel strip on the LCD.

Use the flat end of a spudger to gently lift one of the top corners of the LCD out of the front bezel.

Step 44

  • Work your way along the top edge of the LCD, slowly prying the attached steel strip away from the front bezel.
  • Continue prying the LCD off the front bezel along the left side of the display.

Work your way along the top edge of the LCD, slowly prying the attached steel strip away from the front bezel.

Continue prying the LCD off the front bezel along the left side of the display.

Step 45

  • Now that the top and left edges are free, slightly lift the LCD out of the front bezel for enough room to pry the steel strip along the lower edge of the LCD away from the front bezel.
  • Pry along the lower edge of the LCD until it is freed from the adhesive on the front bezel.

Now that the top and left edges are free, slightly lift the LCD out of the front bezel for enough room to pry the steel strip along the lower edge of the LCD away from the front bezel.

Pry along the lower edge of the LCD until it is freed from the adhesive on the front bezel.

Step 46

  • Lift the LCD out of the front bezel, minding any cables that may get caught.
  • Replacement Note: there are clear plastic spacers attached via adhesive to the sides and bottom of the lcd panel. Be sure to transfer these spacers to the replacement panel for optimum fit.
  • Front bezel remains.

Lift the LCD out of the front bezel, minding any cables that may get caught.

Replacement Note: there are clear plastic spacers attached via adhesive to the sides and bottom of the lcd panel. Be sure to transfer these spacers to the replacement panel for optimum fit.

Front bezel remains.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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                    Andrew Bookholt

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thomas cares - Jun 25, 2011

Reply

Are the bezels on the A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 all interchangeable? (can the front bezel from any of those models go on my a1229?)

Sheldon Carpenter - Apr 26, 2012

They are very similar but a search on the internet shows three different part numbers.

Sheldon Carpenter - Apr 26, 2012

Reply

Seriously consider using a screw sorter when doing this guide. I actually use a fishing tackle organizer. They have lids you can close, thus preventing any accidental screw spillage. I actually use two sorters, one for the case screws, and one for whatever parts inside I am repairing.

Jon Martinez - Jul 23, 2012

Reply

Thanks, my MacBook Pro is now getting full use once more. This guide was very helpful. It was a smooth process.

d a w j a - Jan 9, 2013

Reply

Check out a time lapse of this whole process.

http://youtu.be/J-9jUiLoRcQ