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2 Hinge assembly seems too high to reseat upper case near screen?!
I've successfully replaced the LCD panel in my mid-2007 white Macbook. I'm following the iFixit guide titled "Installing MacBook Core Duo LCD Panel"; the URL is MacBook Core Duo LCD Panel Replacement
So - here's my problem: reassembly has gone smoothly until my attempt to reverse Step 11 of the guide and reattach the upper case to the body.
The specific problem appears to be that the rods on which the screen pivots, and which are held in place by the left and right hinges, are apparently too high now for the upper case to lay flat above the hinges. The problem is on both sides, not just one side. I haven't measured the extra height but it's only a smidge - but even so it's enough to interfere significantly with reseating in this area. The rest of the upper case is willing to snap smoothly into place, so it's just an issue in the area of the hinges.
Another way to describe the situation is that the rods are high enough up on both sides that they will also obstruct re-insertion of the two inmost screws that go into the back of the lower case in Step 9 of the guide. I can judge this by looking through the screw holes in the back of the casing - I can see more of the hinge than seems correct. There are plastic receptacles on both sides of the upper case that receive the screws here, and these receptacles won't be able to descend far enough. Thus it is also these receptacles that are keeping the upper case from laying flat in place above the hinges.
I'm at a loss to see how this situation has developed. The hinges themselves are firmly secured; there was no problem seating the screws on either side. There is no obvious distortion of the lower case that I can see, and pushing down (gently) on the screen and/or hinges does not demonstrate any play or flex that I can see in relation to the lower case. The screen pivots smoothly and securely on the hinges as it ought to.
Nor did I touch the attachment of these rods to the rear display bezel - and even if I had, you'd expect whatever effect resulted to be uneven, not identical on both sides.
So ... what's going on, and what can I do? Suggestions appreciated.
EDIT: Adding a couple of pics to show the left hinge on the inside, and from the back, showing how the screw hole is occluded.
Is this a good question?
4 Comments
Uploading a photo would really help to see your problem.
by mayer
Good idea - I've added a couple of pics to show the problem inside & out. They're of the left hinge area; the right hinge area has the identical problem.
by Randy Burgess
Mayer, thanks - see my edit to original post. I installed the hinges on top of the hinge mounts when they should go beneath the hinge mount. Only saw it after I took pics & uploaded them and studied them vs. the guide.
by Randy Burgess
Dear John Q., Please post your solution as an answer so it can be archived for others. Congratulations on solving your problem.
by mayer