The display screen on my MacBook has become extremely hard to move over the past few days. I checked the 6 hinge screws attached to the lower case and the 4 screws attached to the display’s frame, and they seem to be set properly. I’m thinking the issue is with the lubrication of the friction hinge, as it requires an equal amount of massive pressure to move it to any position, (I don’t have any way to gauge this pressure, but it is a lot more than what’s normally needed).
The amount of pressure needed to move the screen is scary to say the least, it worries me that I might break the screen by just pushing a back a few degrees! It’s also is keeping the screen from staying closed. The torque holding the screen in an open position (~15 degrees) is great enough to keep the screen open even if it is laying upside down with the lower case weighing it down…
I replaced the display about a year ago and the battery about 4 months ago (with parts from ifixit). Both repairs went fine, and so far this is the only issue that has come up. I wouldn’t mind having to replace the hinges, the only problem is wire assembly going through each one. On the right hinge this wouldn’t be an issue, but the left has the %#*@ camera wire going through it, routing it all the way around to the top of the display assembly. It doesn’t look like the the camera wire can be threaded through the hinge without cutting one end of it. The other option is to remove the LCD to run a replacement camera up top.
So what would be most helpful is either, how can i restore the hinges to their original settings (most ideal option), or how can i replace both hinges without risking damage to the LCD. I haven’t ever used the camera, so sacrificing it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but whats the fun in that? (plus I’m not sure what kind of software consequences this will bring about) As nice as the replacement screen has been, I really don’t want to pay for a brand new one.
Any input would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
[image|1799513]
Display being held open
[image|1799514]
me applying pressure to keep it closed (it’s a lot)
[image|1799515]
the torque from the hinges is enough to overcome the weight of the lower case
The display screen on my MacBook has become extremely hard to move over the past few days. I checked the 6 hinge screws attached to the lower case and the 4 screws attached to the display’s frame, and they seem to be set properly. I’m thinking the issue is with the lubrication of the friction hinge, as it requires an equal amount of massive pressure to move it to any position, (I don’t have any way to gauge this pressure, but it is a lot more than what’s normally needed).
The amount of pressure needed to move the screen is scary to say the least, it worries me that I might break the screen by just pushing a back a few degrees! It’s also is keeping the screen from staying closed. The torque holding the screen in an open position (~15 degrees) is great enough to keep the screen open even if it is laying upside down with the lower case weighing it down…
I replaced the display about a year ago and the battery about 4 months ago (with parts from ifixit). Both repairs went fine, and so far this is the only issue that has come up. I wouldn’t mind having to replace the hinges, the only problem is wire assembly going through each one. On the right hinge this wouldn’t be an issue, but the left has the %#*@ camera wire going through it, routing it all the way around to the top of the display assembly. It doesn’t look like the the camera wire can be threaded through the hinge without cutting one end of it. The other option is to remove the LCD to run a replacement camera up top.
So what would be most helpful is either, how can i restore the hinges to their original settings (most ideal option), or how can i replace both hinges without risking damage to the LCD. I haven’t ever used the camera, so sacrificing it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but whats the fun in that? (plus I’m not sure what kind of software consequences this will bring about) As nice as the replacement screen has been, I really don’t want to pay for a brand new one.
Any input would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
[image|1799513]
Display being held open
[image|1799514]
me applying pressure to keep it closed (it’s a lot)
[image|1799515]
the torque from the hinges is enough to overcome the weight of the lower case