Apple Thunderbolt Display Speaker Replacement

Written By: Calvin Laverty (and 3 other contributors)

Comments: 10
Favorites: 1
Completions: 3

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.

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.

Edit

Instead of $14 foam block, I used a full roll of paper towel and two pillows. While it worked, if I ever did this again, I would buy the block of foam. Since you’re removing a power cable, you need to be able thread it through and I think the foam block would make that easier.

Josh Miller - November 29 Reply

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.

Edit

The screws marked in orange don't need to be removed, all they do is hold the magnets on the LCD.

Garrett Mace - 06/04/2016 Reply

Yes “orange screws” does not need to be removed.

You do not need a TR10 screwdriver as written in the text a T10 will suffice (more common and also correctly mentioned in the list of tools).

A TR10 screwdriver is compatible with the T10, but not the other way around

Per Lohmann Poulsen - 12/29/2017 Reply

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.
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.

Edit

Add the note that it should be lifted from the bottom edge. It is also important not to twist the display by levering up from one corner.

Charlie Nancarrow - October 4 Reply

Before lifting the monitor, you should be prepared to start collecting screws and have your TR 10 ready.

Josh Miller - November 29 Reply

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.

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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.

Edit

What is this connector for?

pdspanagel - 02/09/2017 Reply

I imagine this connector is going to be for display data (i.e. LCD data).

Scott Havard - 02/13/2017 Reply

I pretty much mangled this cable trying to put it back into the slot. Is this something I can order a replacement for?

Ryan Stryker - 12/21/2017 Reply

I also screwed up this wire.

erybovic - March 7 Reply

I also screwed up this wire. Wondering what the wire name is.

erybovic - March 7 Reply

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.

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Step 7

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!

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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.
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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Step 15

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.
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.

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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.
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.

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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!

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