Page 1 of 1
Installing MacBook Unibody Model A1278 LCD Panel
- Author: Walter Galan
- Difficulty: Very difficult
Save money by replacing just the LCD rather than the whole display assembly.
Sections
- Access Door 2 steps
- Battery 1 step
- Lower Case 2 steps
- Display Assembly 9 steps
- Front Display Glass 10 steps
- Clutch Cover 2 steps
- LCD Panel 6 steps
- View:
- Paginated
- Full width

Edit
Step 8
¶
Remove the following screws securing the camera data cable and right speaker to the upper case:
One 9.9 mm partially threaded Phillips screw
One 9.6 mm threaded Phillips screw
One 4 mm Phillips screw
Slide the camera cable bracket out from under the subwoofer and remove it from the computer.
The iSight cable has an eyelet through which passes the left-most screw in these pictures.

Edit
Step 14
¶
Grab the upper case with your right hand and rotate it slightly toward the top of the display so the upper display bracket clears the edge of the upper case.
Rotate the display slightly away from the upper case.
Lift the display away from the upper case, minding any brackets or cables that may get caught.

Edit
Step 15
—
Front Display Glass
¶
In the following steps, you will use a heat gun to soften the adhesive securing the outer black border around the underside of the front glass panel to the display. The area the adhesive is applied to is shown in red in the second picture.
With the heat gun set to low, start by heating the outer black border near the upper right corner of the glass panel.
Always aim the heat gun away from the soft rubber strip around the display glass. Heating the rubber will cause it to melt slightly, turning its finish from matte to glossy. Touching overheated rubber can cause it to permanently deform.
Due to the heat applied, it is normal for a layer of condensation to develop on the inside of the glass panel and/or the outside of the LCD. It can be removed with glass cleaner once the glass is separated from the display.

Edit
Step 16
¶
With the panel sufficiently heated, fasten a heavy-duty suction cup near the upper right corner of the display glass.
Don't fasten the suction cup on top of the rubber strip around the edge of the display glass.
To attach the suction cups we sell, first position the suction cup with the movable handle parallel to the face of the glass panel. While lightly holding the suction cup against the glass, raise the movable handle until it is parallel with the other handle.
Slowly and gently pull the corner of the display glass up off the display assembly.
If only the top edge of the glass lifts up (as seen in the third picture), repeat steps one and two until you can lift up the corner of the panel.

Edit
Step 17
¶
Gently lift the corner of the display glass enough to insert a spudger between it and the display assembly.
Use the flat end of a spudger to gently pry up the adhesive securing the front glass to the display.
Pry up the glass panel a few inches away from the upper right corner along the top and right edges of the display.

Edit
Step 18
¶
Use a heat gun to soften the adhesive under the black strip along the right side of the front glass panel.
Attach a suction cup along the right side of the front glass panel.
Pull up on the glass panel while you use the flat end of a spudger to separate it from the rest of the display assembly.
Continue working along the right edge of the front display glass until it is separated from the display.
It may be helpful to use a guitar pick or another thin plastic object to keep the upper right corner of the front glass panel from sticking back down to the display assembly.

Edit
Step 19
¶
Use your heat gun to soften the adhesive under the black strip along the top edge of the glass display panel.
Attach a suction cup near the top edge of the glass display panel and use it to pull the glass panel up off the display.
Work along the top edge of the glass panel, carefully using the flat end of a spudger to separate the adhesive if necessary.

Edit
Step 20
¶
Use a heat gun to soften the adhesive under the black strip near the upper left corner of the glass display panel.
Attach a suction cup near the upper left corner of the glass display panel.
Pull up on the suction cup and use the flat end of a spudger to carefully pry the glass display panel out of the display assembly.
Once the upper left corner has been separated from the display, it may be helpful to use a guitar pick or another thin plastic object to keep the glass from sticking back down to the display assembly.

Edit
Step 21
¶
Use a heat gun to soften the adhesive under the black strip along the left side of the front glass panel.
Attach a suction cup along the left side of the front glass panel.
Pull up on the glass panel while you use the flat end of a spudger to separate it from the rest of the display assembly.
Continue working along the left edge of the front display glass until it is separated from the display.

Edit
Step 22
¶
Now that the top, left, and right edges of the glass are free from the display, slowly lift the top edge of the glass panel and gently rotate it out of the display.
If necessary, use the flat end of a spudger to free the bottom edge of the glass display panel from the display assembly.
Before reassembling, be sure to clean both the inside of the glass display panel and the LCD as any dust or fingerprints trapped inside will be annoyingly visible when the machine is on. It is recommended to use a silicon roller and sticky sheets to clean well.

Edit
Step 24
¶
During the glass removal process, the camera cable may stick to the adhesive on the glass panel, disconnecting it from the camera board as the panel is lifted. If your camera cable is still connected to the camera board, skip this step.
To reconnect the cable, first use the tip of a spudger to remove the piece of foam tape over the camera cable ZIF socket.
Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the ZIF cable retainer on the camera cable socket.
Insert the camera cable into its socket on the camera board and use the tip of a spudger to snap down the ZIF cable retainer, locking the cable in place.
Reapply the piece of tape covering the camera cable socket.

Edit
Step 25
—
Clutch Cover
¶
Slide the clutch cover toward the right edge of the display.
The clutch cover will move approximately .5" 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.

Edit
Step 26
¶
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.

Edit
Step 29
¶
Do not try to remove the LCD yet. The circuitry along its lower edge is wedged in a gap along the lower edge of the display recess in the aluminum display assembly.
Hold the display vertically and tip it enough to grab the top edge of the LCD and rotate it slightly out of the display assembly, being careful not to break the circuitry off its lower edge.

Edit
Step 30
¶
Pull the LCD toward the top edge of the display to slide the circuitry along its lower edge out of the recess in the aluminum display assembly.
It may be helpful to use one hand to feed the display data cable through its channel in the aluminum display assembly as you pull the LCD toward the top edge of the display with the other hand.
This guide has been completed 16 times.
Page 1 of 1
