Installing MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2009 Display

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Use this guide to replace a broken display on your MacBook Pro 13" Unibody.

Relevant parts
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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Lower Case  ¶ 

  • Remove the following 10 screws securing the lower case to the MacBook Pro 13" Unibody:

    • Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.

    • Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Slightly lift the lower case and push it toward the rear of the computer to free the mounting tabs.

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Add Note Edit Step 3 — Battery  ¶ 

  • For precautionary purposes, we advise that you disconnect the battery connector from the logic board to avoid any electrical discharge. This step is optional and is not required.

  • Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the battery connector up out of its socket on the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 4 — Display  ¶ 

  • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the subwoofer/right speaker cable connector up off its socket on the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

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

    • There is a small piece of hard plastic stuck to the logic board that stops the camera cable from falling out of its socket. Be sure to peel this off first or you could damage the connectors.

  • Make sure to pull the connector parallel to the face of the logic board and toward the optical drive, not straight up from its socket.

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Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

  • De-route the camera data cable from the channel in the optical drive.

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • Remove the following screws securing the camera data cable and right speaker to the upper case:

    • Two 8 mm Phillips screws.

    • One 4mm Phillips screw.

  • One of the 8 mm Phillips screws will likely remain captive in the camera cable ground loop.

  • Slide the camera cable bracket out from under the subwoofer and remove it from the computer.

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Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • Grab the plastic pull tab secured to the display data cable lock and rotate it toward the DC-in side of the computer.

  • Pull the display data cable connector straight away from its socket.

  • Make sure to pull the connector straight away and not straight up from its socket.

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Add Note Edit Step 9  ¶ 

  • Remove the following two screws securing the display data cable bracket to the upper case:

    • One 7 mm Phillips screw.

    • One 5 mm Phillips screw.

  • Lift the display data cable bracket out of the upper case.

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Add Note Edit Step 10  ¶ 

  • Remove the two outer 6.5 mm Torx screws securing each of the two display brackets to the upper case (4 screws total).

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Add Note Edit Step 11  ¶ 

  • Open your MacBook so the display is perpendicular to the upper case.

  • Place your opened MacBook on a table as pictured.

  • While holding the display and upper case together with your left hand, remove the remaining 6.5 mm Torx screw from the lower display bracket.

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Add Note Edit Step 12  ¶ 

  • Be sure to hold the display and upper case together with your left hand. Failure to do so may cause the freed display/upper case to fall, potentially damaging each component.

  • Remove the last remaining 6 mm T6 Torx screw securing the display to the upper case.

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Add Note Edit Step 13  ¶ 

  • 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.

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Add Note Edit Step 14  ¶ 

  • Lift the display up and away from the upper case, minding any brackets or cables that may get caught.

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

For more information, check out the MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2009 device page.

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