MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Subwoofer & Right Speaker Replacement

Introduction

No sound from the right side of your MacBook Pro? Use this guide to replace the subwoofer and right speaker assembly.

Wedge your fingers between the lower case and the vent, and lift upward to release the two clips holding the lower case to the upper case.
During reassembly, carefully align the lower case and then press it firmly until both clips engage.
Remove the lower case.

Whenever working near the logic board, it is always wise to first disconnect the battery to avoid short circuits.
If present, grab the plastic tab attached to the battery connector and pull it toward the front edge of the device. For Late-2011 models the battery connector will not have a tab and is simply a plug that inserts straight down into the motherboard--to remove pry the plug straight up.
If the plastic tab is missing, use a spudger to pry the connector up from its socket.
Pull the tab parallel to the face of the logic board.

Before disconnecting the camera cable, a small plastic retainer stuck to the logic board must first be moved out of the way.
Use the tip of a spudger to push the small plastic cable retainer away from the camera cable socket for enough clearance to remove the camera cable.

Pull the camera cable toward the optical drive opening to disconnect it from the logic board.
The camera cable socket is very fragile. Do not apply any upward force to this socket, as it may break off the logic board. Pull the camera cable parallel to the face of the logic board.
For Late 2011 models, the camera connector plugs straight down into the motherboard—to remove this connector, gently lift it straight up.

Carefully pull the Bluetooth cable toward the fans to disconnect it from the Bluetooth board.
Pull the cable parallel to the face of the optical drive.

Use the flat end of a spudger to peel the thin plastic cover off the top and sides of the Bluetooth board housing.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the Bluetooth antenna connector up and off its socket on the Bluetooth board.

If present, remove the small piece of EMI foam near the Bluetooth board.
De-route the camera cable from the slot molded into the Bluetooth board housing.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the optical drive connector up and out of its socket on the logic board.

Remove the three 3.5 mm Phillips screws securing the optical drive to the upper case.
To remove the screw closest to the battery, it may be helpful to use a T6 Torx screwdriver to first remove the upper case bracket directly above it.

Remove the optical drive from the upper case, minding any cables that may get caught.

Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the subwoofer & right speaker connector out of its socket on the logic board.
Pry up from beneath the wires.

Use an iPod opening tool or another soft thin-edged tool to carefully lift up a corner of the "Warning: Do not remove the battery" sticker off the right speaker/subwoofer enclosure.
Peel the sticker off the right speaker/subwoofer enclosure.
It is not necessary to peel the sticker off the battery.