Apple Thunderbolt Display Speaker Replacement

Written By: Calvin Laverty (and 3 other contributors)

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Apple Thunderbolt Display Speaker Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 - 40 minutes

Introduction

There are three different speakers within the Apple Thunderbolt display and each can be taken out without having to take out the others. This makes it easy to just replace the single speaker that is broken and needs to be repaired.

Tools

Buy these tools

Parts

No parts required.

Step 1 LCD

Lay down the display with screen side up.

Since the display is able to be tilted up and down, we found it useful to prop up the screen up with a styrofoam block in between the screen and the base.

Place the two suction cups on both sides of the top of the screen and make sure to lock them in place.

Lay down the display with screen side up.
Since the display is able to be tilted up and down, we found it useful to prop up the screen up with a styrofoam block in between the screen and the base.
Place the two suction cups on both sides of the top of the screen and make sure to lock them in place.
The glass screen to connected to the rest of the display by small magnets. Lift slowly and the screen will come right off.

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Step 2

Unscrew the 12 screws around the side edges and the top of the LCD with the TR 10 Screwdriver.

Unscrew the 12 screws around the side edges and the top of the LCD with the TR 10 Screwdriver.

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Step 3

Slowly lift the LCD out from its placement and tilt it upwards.

It can be very helpful to have an extra set of hands to hold the LCD up while you work with the cables underneath.

Slowly lift the LCD out from its placement and tilt it upwards.
It can be very helpful to have an extra set of hands to hold the LCD up while you work with the cables underneath.
There are four wires that connect the LCD to the rest of the components. Make sure not to pull hard and break any of the wires.

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Step 4

For the first of the four wires (furthest away from the wire that is held in by a screw), grab onto the connector and pull slowly.

For the first of the four wires (furthest away from the wire that is held in by a screw), grab onto the connector and pull slowly.

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Step 5

For the next connector, which is right next to the previous wire, there is a piece of tape attached to a metal bar.

Flip the metal bar over using the tape as a handle.

Next, grab onto the connector and slowly pull it from the socket in the logic board.

For the next connector, which is right next to the previous wire, there is a piece of tape attached to a metal bar.
Flip the metal bar over using the tape as a handle.
Next, grab onto the connector and slowly pull it from the socket in the logic board.

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Step 6

For the connector on the other side of the logic board, grab the connector from underneath and carefully pull it from the board.

For the connector on the other side of the logic board, grab the connector from underneath and carefully pull it from the board.

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Step 7

For the last wire connecting to the LCD, use your TR 10 Screwdriver to remove the screw.

For the last wire connecting to the LCD, use your TR 10 Screwdriver to remove the screw.

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Step 8

The LCD has now been fully disconnected from the casing and can be repaired/replaced!

The LCD has now been fully disconnected from the casing and can be repaired/replaced!

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Step 9 Speaker

To the left of the middle speaker (the large black component in the middle of the device), there will be a couple of wires.

Use the tweezers to remove the piece of tape to free the wires.

To the left of the middle speaker (the large black component in the middle of the device), there will be a couple of wires.
Use the tweezers to remove the piece of tape to free the wires.
Next, to the right of that piece of tape is black electrical tape that needs to be removed.
Use the tweezers to remove the piece of black tape.
Don't worry if you rip any tape as you can add a new piece when putting the speakers back.

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Step 10

To the right of the middle speaker is the logic board. Here is where the three speakers in the display are connected and need to be removed.

To the right of the middle speaker is the logic board. Here is where the three speakers in the display are connected and need to be removed.

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Step 11

To remove the right speaker, disconnect the middle of the three wires.

Pull carefully on the connector to release the wires from the socket in the logic board.

To remove the right speaker, disconnect the middle of the three wires.
Pull carefully on the connector to release the wires from the socket in the logic board.

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Step 12

To remove the left speaker, locate the topmost connector of the three.

Carefully pull on the connector to release it from its socket in the logic board.

To remove the left speaker, locate the topmost connector of the three.
Carefully pull on the connector to release it from its socket in the logic board.

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Step 13

The bottom of the three connectors goes to the middle speaker and has both a black and white wire.

Carefully pull on the connector to release the wires from the socket in the logic board.

The bottom of the three connectors goes to the middle speaker and has both a black and white wire.
Carefully pull on the connector to release the wires from the socket in the logic board.

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Step 14

To remove the middle speaker, four screws must be removed.

Use the TR 10 screwdriver to remove the four screws and lift the speaker from its spot.

To remove the middle speaker, four screws must be removed.
Use the TR 10 screwdriver to remove the four screws and lift the speaker from its spot.

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Step 15

The middle speaker is now free and can be repaired/replaced!

The middle speaker is now free and can be repaired/replaced!

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Step 16

The left speaker is held in place by two screws.

Use the TR 10 screwdriver to free the left speaker.

The left speaker is held in place by two screws.
Use the TR 10 screwdriver to free the left speaker.
Even though the speaker is free, the wire connecting to the logic board is not completely free, so don't try and pull the speaker away from the device yet.

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Step 17

Follow the wire coming from the left speaker and see that it is held in place by some black tape.

Use tweezers to remove the tape from the wire.

Continue following the wire and unhook it from the two built in hooks in the casing.

Follow the wire coming from the left speaker and see that it is held in place by some black tape.
Use tweezers to remove the tape from the wire.
Continue following the wire and unhook it from the two built in hooks in the casing.

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Step 18

When lifting the speaker from the device, tilt it sideways to pull the speaker out from the tab on the lower right.

When lifting the speaker from the device, tilt it sideways to pull the speaker out from the tab on the lower right.
The speaker can now be replaced!

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Step 19

The right speaker is held in place by two screws (one at the top and one to the left).

Use the TR 10 screwdriver to remove the screws.

The right speaker is held in place by two screws (one at the top and one to the left).
Use the TR 10 screwdriver to remove the screws.

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Step 20

The right speaker is also held in place by two tabs (one to the bottom right and bottom left).

Carefully pull the speaker upwards and out, and all three speakers can be repaired!

The right speaker is also held in place by two tabs (one to the bottom right and bottom left).
Carefully pull the speaker upwards and out, and all three speakers can be repaired!

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