MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2009 Clutch Cover Replacement

Written By: Walter Galan

Comments: 4

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2009 Clutch Cover Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

No estimate

Introduction

This is an internal guide that is a prereq for the LCD guide.

Step 1

Slide the clutch cover toward the right edge of the display.
The clutch cover will move approximately .25" and stop. Do not force it too far to the right.
When reinstalling the clutch cover, be sure to slip it over the components protruding from the lower edge of the display about .25" to the right of its final installed position on the display.

The plastic tabs of the clutch fit into slots that end up holding the clutch in place. The idea is that you need to slide the clutch to the right to free the plastic tabs from the metal slots in the LCD frame.....then you can separate the clutch from the frame.

brian62 - 20/08/17

Step 2

Starting at its far right end, rock the clutch cover along its long axis while pulling it away from the clutch hinge.
Working from right to left, carefully continue to release and lift the clutch along the lower edge of the display assembly.
Lift the clutch cover up off the front bezel and set it aside.
When reinstalling the clutch cover, be sure to widen the opening when slipping it over the small black plastic cosmetic cover that fills the open end of the clutch cover when it is in place. The cosmetic cover has very thin and delicate plastic arms that hold it to the right clutch hinge.

Highly recommended to remove clutch cover BEFORE heating up glass, because cover is made of very thin plastic and it'll be deformed!

Basically, I'm removing everything from screen - clutch cover, wifi card, antenna, all plastic bits, and only then proceed with heating and glass removal.

DigiHead -

Starting at it's far LEFT end

Job -

just slide the plastic cover to the right and it comes right off.

William - 11/08/17