Fix Your Stuff Community Store

Repair guides for the MacBook.

3786 Questions View all

Options

Should I replace the rear display bezel, clutch hinge, or both?

My Macbook was dropped and continues to function. However, the right side of the display is now only tenuously connected to the hinge. This causes a lot of pressure on the rear bezel/hinge hardware and is getting worse and worse and separating more and more. It's almost as if the right side is merely hanging on.

The hinge seems to function fine, aside from this. So I'm not sure I have to replace the hinge. The problem seems to lie entirely with the right clutch hinge. It's broken on its far left side so part of it is connected to the hinge which rest of it is connected to the display. The hole where the clutch hinge screws into the rear display bezel is apparently. (I can see this very well since the front bezel has been cracked for years and peels away to reveal the damage)

So here's the question: Do I replace the right clutch hinge? Do I also replace the rear bezel display? Is there a quick "good enough" fix that you can see here. I don't want to put too much money (or time) into machine that I will replace before the year's out. Would it be advisable to try use an epoxy or something of the sort to connect the broken parts of the clutch hinge (and the rear display bezel)?

Here are some pics:

http://picturepush.com/public/7958660

http://picturepush.com/public/7958668

Thanks

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score -1
Add a comment

1 Answer

Filter by:
Most Helpful Newest Oldest
Chosen Solution

Options

Unfortunately it looks like to truly fix the problem you will have to replace both the right clutch hinge and the rear display bezel. From your photos it seems that at least one of the threaded inserts in the rear display bezel has pulled out of the plastic. You might be able to install just the right clutch hinge using the two remaining screws but until you take it apart you can't know the condition of the remaining threaded inserts. If you go through the guide for replacing the clutch hinge you'll see right away that this is a difficult job that will take some time. I don't see an easy fix. I expect that using epoxy would probably not hold up to opening and closing the lap top, and once you use epoxy you may have trouble removing the epoxy to replace the hinge. Opening and closing the lap top with the broken hinge will probably damage the display data cable eventually and the added stress on the left side may break that hinge too. Keeping the display propped open all the time and using the lap top as a stationary desk top computer seems like the only easy solution.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 2

1 Comment:

Thank you. I was afraid this is what I'd hear. Looks like I have some number of hours of stressful repair time in front of me.

by

Add a comment

Add your answer

RLBJ will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 0

Past 30 Days: 0

All Time: 504