MacBook Air 11" Late 2010 Fan Replacement

Step 1 Lower Case


Tool used on this step:
P5 Pentalobe Screwdriver Retina MacBook Pro and Air
$5.99
Buy
• Before proceeding, close your computer and lay it on a soft surface top-side down.
• Remove the following ten screws:
• Two 8 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws
• Eight 2.5 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws
• The special screwdriver needed to remove the eight 5-point Pentalobe screws can be found here.
Step 2

• Wedge your fingers between the display and the lower case and pull upward to pop the lower case off the Air.
• Remove the lower case and set it aside.
Step 3 Battery
• In this step you will disconnect the battery to help avoid shorting out any components during service.
• Use the flat end of a spudger to pry both short sides of the battery connector upward to disconnect it from its socket on the logic board.
• Bend the battery cable slightly away from the logic board so the connector will not accidentally contact its socket.
Step 4 Solid-State Drive
• Remove the single 2.9 mm T5 Torx screw securing the SSD to the logic board.
Step 5
• Use a spudger to help lift the free end of the SSD just enough to grab it with your other hand.
• Do not lift the end of the SSD excessively.
• Pull the drive straight out of its socket and remove it from the logic board.
• When reinstalling the SSD, be sure it is properly seated before reinstalling its retaining screw.
Step 6 I/O Board Cable
• Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the I/O board cable connector upward out of its socket on the I/O board.
Step 7
• The following connector has an especially deep socket. Use care when disconnecting it.
• While gently pulling the I/O board cable upward near its connection to the logic board, use the tip of a spudger to pry upward on alternating sides of the connector to help "walk" it out of its socket.
• Remove the I/O board cable.
Step 8 Fan
• Use the tip of a spudger to carefully flip up the retaining flap on the fan cable ZIF socket.
• Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.
Step 9
• Remove the following three screws securing the fan to the upper case:
• Two 5.2 mm T5 Torx screws
• One 3.6 mm T5 Torx screw
Step 10
• Lift the fan out of the upper case and carefully pull the fan ribbon cable out of its socket as you remove it from the Air.

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Andrew Bookholt

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