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Hi I’ve bought your pentalobe screw kit and screwdriver, to replace some lost screws on a MacBook Pro.
I’m wondering which low strength thread lock to use, to still enable it to be dismantled for future repairs
Is this a good question?
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If you really think you need to use threadlocker, I'd definitely go with the Loctite Blue; the red is for more permanent types of repairs so it's not what you're looking for here. In every case where I've encountered threadlocker on an Apple product, it's been blue.
That being said, I have to agree with the other guys here that it's not really needed in a laptop; I've been working on them for decades and have yet to use threadlocker on one. Haven't ever seen a case where a screw I put in actually worked its way out again on a phone or a computer.
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Only the older MacBook Pros used the blue on the cover screws and Apple used very little! About the size of a pencil dot.
It will be hard to control without using a hypodermic with a medium needle. Going too far risks preventing service! Just not worth it.
I definitely haven’t imagined two screws have dropped out of the bottom of my partner’s MacBook. When on charge a slight vibration goes through the MacBook, so I’m not surprised the screws drop out as they are upside down
Personally I put a drop of red on the older Unibody MBP hinges since they tend to get loose but anything else I use none. Just snugged up with a screwdriver.
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Why would you want to use any Loctite? Just the tighten the screws firmly but not excessively tight. If, say, your thread holes are stripped Loctitie is not the solution.
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@aactech I agree with mike!
Have you never noticed a vibration goes through a MacBook when it’s on charge? It happens also on my and my partners iPod touch also. You’re only going to notice it by trying to touch it as gently as possible, and it’s like you’re getting an electric shock. Your not, it is only a fast vibration. So I’m really not surprised the screws work loose, as they are upside down too.
Hi @plebpunk
Let us know your final decision. Did you buy this Mac new? Had your Mac ever been serviced by some one else? Maybe they hadn't correctly tightened the screws after they finished the repair/upgrade?
Hi Mike, I’ll use Loctite 222 purple as it’s the lowest strength. The MacBook hasn’t been worked on from new
Hi @plebpunk
Let us know how it goes in 10 years time. 🙂
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Hi Guys,
Thanks for looking into this for me.
I’ve replaced the 3 (not 2) screws. All of the 10 screws had threadlock already on them, apart from 1 they were in two lengths, which interestingly the two shorter ones were blue on the threads, while the 7 slightly longer 3-3.3mm were reddish purple in colour. To be honest looked more red, maybe maroon to me. Whereas the purple Loctite 222 I bought was distinctly purple (when wet). Anyway three people noticed the vibe off both iPod touch, which we both still have, and although the batteries need replacing, both still work. And the 13” MacBook Pro. Were in the UK, so have Live, Neutral & Earth. My property is rented from a Housing Association, so upto electrical regulations (EICR), with resettable fuses, and earth leakage detection, on the whole flat.
My partners house is older, it was re wired 30 years ago. I have replaced some of the old fuse wire fuses with old resettable fuses which fit the old two prong fuse sockets on the distribution board. But no RCCD.
So there’s no problem with either supply, and all 3 appliances have ‘vibed’ us in both premises!
Both our 6th gen iPad minis don’t do this.
Thanks for answering my thread lock questions, which I hadn’t looked at the screws, when I asked, but found interesting 9 out of 10 appeared used with thread lock already on.
Most of the screws already in the MacBook were loose, and non had thread lock on.
Now all 10 do and are tight (lightly)
Thanks to everyone who posted
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