Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Late 2008 and Early 2009 Display Assembly

  • Add Note x
  • x 13

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

Sections
Tools
first image
thumb image 1
thumb image 2

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.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

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

first image

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.

first image

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.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

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

first image
thumb image 1
thumb image 2

Add Note Edit Step 6 — Display Assembly  ¶ 

  • If necessary, peel the EMI gasket off the camera cable connector.

  • Disconnect the camera cable by pulling the male end straight away from its socket toward the optical drive opening.

  • Do not try to lift this connector straight up off the board. Pull the connector parallel to the face of the logic board.

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

first image
thumb image 1
thumb image 2

Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

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

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

  • Seperate the camera cable bracket from the camera cable and remove it from the computer.

first image
thumb image 1
thumb image 2

Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

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

  • Pull the LVDS connector straight away from its socket.

  • When disconnecting the LVDS cable, do not pull on the black tab secured to the LVDS cable lock. We recommend wiggling the cable while applying tension to slowly "walk" the connector out of its socket.

first image
thumb image 1
thumb image 2

Add Note Edit Step 9  ¶ 

  • Remove the 7 mm Phillips screw from the LVDS cable bracket.

  • This screw may remain captive in the LVDS cable.

  • Lift the LVDS cable bracket out of the upper case.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 10  ¶ 

  • Remove the two outer 6 mm Torx screws securing each side of the display to the upper case (four screws total).

first image

Add Note Edit Step 11  ¶ 

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

  • Place your opened MacBook Pro on a table as pictured.

  • While holding the display and upper case together with your other hand, remove the 6 mm Torx screw from the lower display bracket.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 12  ¶ 

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

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

first image
thumb image 1
thumb image 2
thumb image 3

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.

  • Lift the display 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 15" Unibody Late 2008 and Early 2009 device page.

Did you successfully follow this guide?

Notes Add Note Notes are offturn on