MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Late 2008 and Early 2009 Optical Drive Replacement

Replace the optical drive in your MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Late 2008 and Early 2009.

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This guide will show you how to replace the SuperDrive from your laptop (requires a SATA SuperDrive).

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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Access Door  ¶ 

  • With the case closed, place the Unibody top-side down on a flat surface.

  • Depress the grooved side of the access door release latch enough to grab the free end. Lift the release latch until it is vertical.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • The access door should now be raised enough to lift it up and out of the Unibody.

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Add Note Edit Step 3 — Battery  ¶ 

  • Be sure the access door release latch is vertical before proceeding.

  • Grab the translucent plastic tab and pull the battery up and out of the Unibody.

  • If the latch is depressed it will lock the battery in place.

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Add Note Edit Step 4 — Lower Case  ¶ 

  • Remove the following eight screws securing the lower case to the chassis:

    • One 5.4 mm Phillips screw.

    • Three 14 mm Phillips screws.

    • Four 3.5 mm Phillips screws.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Using both hands, lift and remove the lower case off the upper case.

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Add Note Edit Step 6 — Optical Drive  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the camera cable by pulling the male end straight away from its socket.

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • Deroute the camera data cable from the channel in the optical drive.

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Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • Use a spudger to pry the optical drive connector straight up off the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 9  ¶ 

  • Remove two 8 mm Phillips screws securing the camera cable bracket to the upper case.

  • The rightmost screw may remain captive in the camera cable.

  • Lift the camera cable bracket out from the upper case.

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Add Note Edit Step 10  ¶ 

  • Remove the following three Phillips screws securing the optical drive to the upper case:

    • One 3.5 mm Phillips screw.

    • Two 2.5 mm Phillips screws.

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Add Note Edit Step 11  ¶ 

  • Lift the optical drive from its left edge and pull it out of the computer.

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Add Note Edit Step 12 — Optical Drive Replacement  ¶ 

  • Remove the optical drive cable by pulling it straight away from the optical drive.

  • If you have a CD or any other object jammed in your optical drive, we have an optical drive repair guide.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

For more information, check out the MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Late 2008 and Early 2009 device page.

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Required Tools

Spudger

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Phillips #00 Screwdriver

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