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MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement

What you need

  1. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case 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 Upper Case 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 Upper Case Replacement, Battery Connector: step 3, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement, Battery Connector: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • As a precaution against accidental discharge or shock, disconnect the battery connector from the logic board.

    • 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.

    • Be sure to pull the connector horizontally toward the battery, and not straight up from the Air, or you may damage the socket on the logic board.

  4. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement, I/O Board Cable: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • 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.

  5. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • Carefully peel the I/O board cable from the top of the fan.

  6. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • 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.

  7. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement, Fan: step 7, image 1 of 1
    • 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.

  8. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1
    • Peel the rubber gasket off the adhesive on the top of the fan.

  9. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following three screws securing the fan to the upper case:

    • One 3.6 mm T5 Torx screw

    • One 2.7 mm T5 Torx screw

    • One 3.6 mm T5 Torx screw with a short head

  10. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1
    • 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.

  11. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement, I/O Board: step 11, image 1 of 1
    • Disconnect the I/O board by pulling the power cable away from its socket on the logic board.

    • Pull the cable parallel to the face of the logic board toward the right edge of the Air.

  12. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 1
    • Pull the camera cable parallel to the face of the I/O board toward the corner of the Air to disconnect it from its socket, using the tip of a spudger to help push the connector out of its socket.

    • Do not lift upward on this cable as you disconnect it, as its socket may break off the logic board.

  13. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the left speaker cable connector up and out of its socket on the I/O board.

    • Pry up from beneath the wires.

    • De-route the left speaker cable from its retainer on the I/O board.

  14. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the microphone cable connector up and out of its socket on the I/O board.

    • Pry up from beneath the wires.

  15. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the single 3.6 mm T5 Torx screw securing the I/O board to the upper case.

  16. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1
    • Carefully lift the I/O board from its edge nearest the logic board and remove it from the upper case.

  17. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement, Battery: step 17, 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

  18. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 18, 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.

  19. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement, Logic Board: step 19, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement, Logic Board: step 19, 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, not the socket itself.

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

  20. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 2
    • Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the keyboard backlight ribbon cable ZIF socket.

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

    • Use your spudger to help pull the cable out of its socket.

  21. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 1
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the right speaker cable connector up and out of its socket on the logic board.

    • Pry up from beneath the cables.

  22. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 22, image 3 of 3
    • Gently push the tip of a spudger under the black plastic flap stuck to the display data cable lock to make the lock pop upward and away from the socket.

    • While holding the lock away from the socket, use the tip of a spudger and your fingers to gently remove the display data cable from its socket.

    • Do not pull upward on the display data cable as you disconnect it, as its socket may break off the logic board.

  23. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 23, image 2 of 2
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry both antenna cable connectors up and off their sockets on the AirPort/Bluetooth card.

  24. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 24, image 1 of 1
    • Gently de-route the antenna cables from the slot cut into the logic board.

  25. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the single 2.85 mm T5 Torx screw securing the SSD to the logic board.

  26. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 26, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 26, image 2 of 2
    • To avoid damaging its socket, 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.

  27. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 27, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the six 6.3 mm T5 Torx screws securing the logic board to the upper case.

  28. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 28, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the inner two 4.9 mm T8 Torx screws securing the antenna cable retainer and left clutch hinge to the upper case.

  29. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 29, image 1 of 1
    • Push the antenna cable retainer away slightly and remove the 3 mm T5 Torx screw securing the end of the heat sink to the upper case.

  30. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 30, image 1 of 1
    • Carefully remove the logic board assembly from the upper case, minding any cables that may get caught.

    • Hold the antenna cables out of the way as you lift the heat sink end of the logic board out of the upper case.

  31. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement, Display Assembly: step 31, image 1 of 1
    • Gently de-route the antenna cables out of the channel cut into the upper case.

  32. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 32, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the inner two 4.9 mm T8 Torx screws securing the right display hinge to the upper case.

    • We intentionally have you leave the third screw in to aid in future steps.

  33. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 33, image 1 of 1
    • Open the display until it is perpendicular to the upper case and place it on a table as shown.

    • While holding the Air steady, remove the remaining 4.9 mm T8 Torx screw from the lower display bracket.

  34. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 34, image 1 of 1
    • Before removing the last display screw, be sure to hold the display and upper case steady with your other hand. Failure to do so may allow the components to fall onto the table, causing potentially expensive damage.

    • Remove the last 4.9 mm T8 Torx screw securing the display to the upper case.

  35. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 35, image 1 of 1
    • Push the upper case slightly toward the display assembly, then rotate it away from the front of the display assembly.

    • Once the two display hinges have cleared the upper case, remove the display and set it aside.

  36. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement, Upper Case: step 36, image 1 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement, Upper Case: step 36, image 2 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement, Upper Case: step 36, image 3 of 3
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the right speaker off the adhesive securing it to the upper case.

    • Remove the right speaker from the upper case.

  37. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 37, image 1 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 37, image 2 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 37, image 3 of 3
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the left speaker off the adhesive securing it to the upper case.

    • Remove the left speaker from the upper case.

  38. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 38, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 38, image 2 of 2
    • Use the tip of a spudger to pry the microphone away from the left side of the upper case.

    • Remove the microphone from the upper case.

    • Upper case remains.

  39. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement, Upper Case: step 39, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement, Upper Case: step 39, 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, not the socket itself.

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

  40. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 40, image 1 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 40, image 2 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 40, image 3 of 3
    • 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.

  41. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 41, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following seven screws:

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

    • One 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.

  42. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement: step 42, image 1 of 1
    • 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.

    • The upper case remains.

Conclusion

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

81 other people completed this guide.

David Hodson

Member since: 04/13/10

150,318 Reputation

127 Guides authored

16 Comments

question for anyone...just did step 14, and accidentally pried the whole microphone cable box out of the board. Any way to put that back in or did i just lose microphone capability?

adamwitz - Reply

You can resolder it back on or carefully use a hot-air rework station and Kapton tape to protect the surrounding area.

applerepairshop -

This guide is truly SPOT-on!!

I went to my local Fry's Electronics and purchased a Pro's Kit branded "Consumer Electronic Equipment Repair Kit" that had all the necessary bits and tools needed for US$35.

No need to spend $250 for a new upper case, I figured: what did I have to loose?

I found a brand new keyboard $45.95 (included priority shipping) from MCCComputers.com

Steps: Remove keyboard:: CAREFULLY, remove all #000 Philips head screws around the outside edge of the keyboard on the logic board side of top case. Then, i started at one end, four keys at a time and started rocking around the four corners and pressing firmly in sections (from the side where you usually type on the keys, inward) until the rivets started popping out. MAKE SURE YOU ARE DOING THIS IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CLEAN and SMOOTH SURFACES. They go everywhere!

Reassembly:use 3M #77 adhesive spray on the aluminum casing to reattach and make up for lost rivets. Snap in rivets with flat end of T-15 bit and screw-in edge screws.

TuckerLM - Reply

Step 9

On reassembly with a new upper case I spent a long time trying to replace the red-circled screw to hold the fan. After a while I figured out that the new case I purchased from IFIXIT had a small screw already inserted in the socket. Once I removed this extra part everything went smoothly.

wlnem - Reply

THAT’S why I ended up with an extra screw!

I agree, this guide is great. Was able to skip the last few steps, as my replacement upper case was already assembled.

Kurt Sprangers -

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