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MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Trackpad Replacement

What you need

  1. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Trackpad Replacement, Lower Case: step 1, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    P5 Pentalobe Screwdriver Retina MacBook Pro and Air
    $5.99
    Buy
    • Before proceeding, power down your MacBook. Close the display and lay it on a soft surface, top-side down.

    • Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove ten screws securing the lower case, of the following lengths:

    • Two 9 mm screws

    • Eight 2.6 mm screws

  2. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Trackpad Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • 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.

  3. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Trackpad Replacement, Battery: step 3, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Trackpad Replacement, Battery: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • Grab the clear plastic pull tab attached to the battery connector and pull it toward the front edge of the Air to disconnect the battery from the logic board.

    • Do not lift upward on the connector as you disconnect it.

    • When reinstalling a new battery, it may be helpful to temporarily reconnect the battery before placing it in the frame. Make sure that the connector lays flat to the board.

  4. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Trackpad Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following five screws securing the battery to the upper case:

    • Three 6.3 mm T5 Torx screws

    • Two 2.4 mm T5 Torx screws

  5. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Trackpad Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • When handling the battery, avoid squeezing or touching the four exposed lithium polymer cells.

    • Lift the battery from its edge nearest the logic board and remove it from the upper case.

    • When installing the new battery, if there is a thin plastic film on your replacement battery, do not attempt to remove it. It is glued on and protects the battery pack while it is inside the MacBook.

    • If you're installing a new battery, you should calibrate it after installation:

    • Charge it to 100%, and then keep charging it for at least 2 more hours. Then, unplug and use it normally to drain the battery. When you see the low battery warning, save your work, and keep your laptop on until it goes to sleep due to low battery. Wait at least 5 hours, then charge your laptop uninterrupted to 100%.

    • If you notice any unusual behavior or problems after installing your new battery, you may need to reset your MacBook's SMC.

  6. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Trackpad Replacement, Trackpad: step 6, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Trackpad Replacement, Trackpad: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • Use the tip of a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the retaining flap on the trackpad ribbon cable ZIF socket.

    • Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap (on the side opposite the cable), not the socket itself.

    • Pull the trackpad ribbon cable straight out of its socket toward the rear edge of the Air.

  7. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Trackpad Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Trackpad Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2
    • While carefully lifting the keyboard ribbon cable with one hand, use the tip of a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the retaining flap on the keyboard ribbon cable ZIF socket.

    • Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.

    • Pull the keyboard ribbon cable straight out of its socket toward the front edge of the Air.

  8. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Trackpad Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following twelve screws:

    • Six 1.6 mm Phillips screws securing the trackpad to the upper case.

    • Six 1.6 mm Phillips screws securing the trackpad brackets to the trackpad.

    • A Phillips #000 should be sufficient, but a JIS #000 may also work as well.

  9. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Trackpad Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the right and left trackpad brackets from the upper case.

  10. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Trackpad Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the 1.4 mm T5 Torx set screw from its tapped hole near the front edge of the upper case.

    • During reassembly, do not over-tighten the set screw, as the button will cease to click at a certain point. Adjust the set screw until the movable side of the trackpad has minimal play.

  11. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Trackpad Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Trackpad Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2
    • Use the flat edge of a spudger to carefully lift the edge of the trackpad closest to the keyboard from its recess in the upper case by lifting it away from the brackets attached to the upper case.

    • Remove the trackpad from the upper case.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

55 other people completed this guide.

Brittany McCrigler

Member since: 03/05/12

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9 Comments

The Apple tech repair guide for this model of Macbook Air states that the flexures use Phillips #000 screws, but I didn't have good luck using #000 drivers on them. A high quality precision Phillips #00 driver worked a little better, but I'm wondering if this is actually a JIS cross point phillips #00 or #000 screwdriver? The screws look more like JIS (Japanese Industry Standard) instead of Phillips, anyone try a JIS with better luck on these?

iphonetechtips - Reply

Yes..I did, and it worked much better... I actually almost stripped out a screw using regular phillips head, rather than the JIS one...

breezyjr - Reply

Great guide, all worked as described. Thanks!

Yes, the screws don't seem to quite match expectations; I used three different #00/#000 drivers before I got a good fit.

Step 7: Could use just a bit more detailed explanation and/or picture. The retainer is on the "back" edge of the connector (facing off the long edge of the trackpad, opposite of Step 6), and takes a mix of delicate firmness to raise. Practice on your replacement (if available).

Step 8: My replacement trackpad came with the trackpad bracket attached, so no need to remove the 6 (orange-circled) screws attaching bracket to trackpad, which can be removed and installed with the bracket attached.

Step 10, reinstalling: Getting the set-screw correctly adjusted was a bit hit-n-miss. My assumption was in far enough to just stop movement, then back off a turn or so. That ended up too loose. YMMV.

Guy Noir - Reply

I have just finished, there was a scary moment when I managed to somehow cause the retainer clip for keyboard ribbon to fall off the new track pad while I was fitting the cable. I put it together anyway but - of course the keyboard did not work!!! I then took it apart and somehow with the use of an illuminated magnifier, I managed to push the retainer clip back on to the prongs and it works!!

Michael S

Michael Standley - Reply

Hi,

friend mine did replacement of complete top case with keyboard and trackpad. Seller claimed it is ok but we face one problem. when I touch case (palm rest) trackpad stops responding. Both cases were from A1369 model but on mine was black plastic foil over part of keyboard whiel on other not. So I am not sure there could be some other differences that could cause this.

Would anybody has any suggestion.

Thanks

Frank

frantisek - Reply

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