Introduction
Use this guide to replace the display assembly.
Tools
Parts
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Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove ten screws securing the lower case, of the following lengths:
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Two 9 mm screws
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Eight 2.6 mm screws
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Wedge your fingers between the display and the lower case and pull upward to pop the lower case off the Air.
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Remove the lower case and set it aside.
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Grab the clear plastic pull tab attached to the battery connector and pull it parallel to the board toward the front edge of the Air.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the I/O board cable connector up out of its socket on the I/O board.
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While gently pulling the I/O board cable upward near its connection to the logic board, use the flat end of a spudger to pry up on alternating sides of the connector to help "walk" it out of its socket.
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Remove the I/O board cable.
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Use the tip of a spudger to carefully flip up the retaining flap on the fan cable ZIF socket.
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Remove the following three screws securing the fan to the upper case:
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One 3.6 mm T5 Torx screw
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One 2.7 mm T5 Torx screw
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One 3.6 mm T5 Torx screw with a short head
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Lift the fan from the I/O board side and pull it free from the upper case.
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Removing the fan will also disconnect the fan ribbon cable. Be careful not to snag it.
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Disconnect the I/O board by pulling its power cable away from its socket on the logic board.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the left speaker cable connector up and out of its socket on the I/O board.
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Use the tip of a spudger to carefully flip up the retaining flap on the microphone ribbon cable ZIF socket.
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Gently de-route the camera cable from its notch on the I/O board and push it out of the way with the tip of a spudger.
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Lift the I/O board from the logic board side and pull it free from the upper case.
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Removing the I/O board will also disconnect the microphone ribbon cable. Be careful not to snag it.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to pry each of the antenna connectors up from their sockets on the AirPort/Bluetooth card.
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Disconnect the camera cable connector with the tip of a spudger.
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Pull the camera cable parallel to the face of the I/O board toward the front edge of the Air to disconnect it from its socket.
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Remove the inner four (two on each side) 4.9 mm T8 Torx screws securing the right and left display hinges to the upper case.
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While holding the Air steady, remove the remaining 4.9 mm T8 Torx screw from the left display bracket.
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Open the Air slightly to allow room for the hinges to slide out of their notches.
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Push the upper case slightly toward the display assembly, then push it back from the hinges.
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Once the two display hinges have cleared the upper case, remove the display and set it aside.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
17 comments
Just a reminder that you DO NOT want to touch the battery with your hands or a screw driver you can compromise the integrity of the battery and possibly cause a thermal event. Always use proper battery cover kit.
Corey -
When reassembling the device, keep in mind that the holes in the hinges are relatively big compared to the T8 screws, so there will be a certain play. Check if display and body are in line when the MacBook is closed, then tighten the screws.
Marcel -
When I noticed this (also similar issue when installing the trackpad), I thought "what an inferior engineering for such an expensive product".
Pulling the fan cable out was terrifying but you actually just pull on the cable itself. No way to get any leverage at the connector to dislodge it. Did come out easily but like I said, scared me!
allison -