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iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the left speaker in your 21.5" Retina 4K Display 2017 iMac.

Some images in this guide use a 2015 iMac, which has minor visual differences. These differences do not affect the repair procedure.

What you need

  1. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement, Display Assembly: step 1, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    iMac Intel 21.5" Cardboard Service Wedge
    $4.99

    • With the hinge free to move, the iMac will be unbalanced and hard to work on. Repairs are fast and easy with an iMac service wedge, but can be completed without one.

    • If you are using the iFixit cardboard service wedge, follow these assembly directions to put it together.

    • Before beginning any work on your iMac: Unplug the computer and press and hold the power button for ten seconds to discharge the power supply's capacitors.

    • Be very careful not to touch the capacitor leads or any exposed solder joints on the back of the power supply. Only handle the board by the edges.

    Edit

  2. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Starting on the left of the display, near the power button, insert the iMac Opening Tool into the gap between the glass panel and the rear enclosure.

    • The hub on the iMac Opening Tool will keep you from pushing the wheel in too far. If using a different tool, insert no more than 3/8" into the display. Otherwise, you risk severing antenna cables and causing serious damage.

    Edit

  3. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • Use the tool like a pizza cutter—roll it along through the gap, and it will cut the foam adhesive through the center.

    • Be sure to always push with the handle behind the cutting wheel. If you pull, the wheel might get pulled out of the handle.

    • Run the tool up along the left side of the display.

    Edit

  4. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Continue running the tool up around the top left corner.

    Edit

  5. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Cut the adhesive along the top left of the display.

    Edit

  6. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Continue along the top of the display.

    • You may want to run the tool back and forth through what you've already cut a few times, to ensure you get as much of the adhesive separated as possible.

    Edit

  7. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Push the tool around the top right corner of the display.

    Edit

  8. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Wheel the tool down along the right side of the display.

    Edit

  9. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Finish pushing the opening tool to the bottom of the right side of the display.

    • At this point, you'll want to run the tool back around the entire display, to ensure you cut as much adhesive as possible.

    Edit

  10. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • While the opening tool cut most of the adhesive, the display will still be slightly adhered to the case. A plastic card will be necessary to free up the last of this adhesive.

    • Set the iMac face-up on a table.

    • Starting from the top right corner of the iMac, wedge a plastic card between the display and frame.

    • Be careful not to insert the plastic card more than 3/8", or you may damage internal components.

    Edit

  11. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Gently twist the plastic card sideways to create a gap between the display and frame.

    • Move slowly and be careful not to stress the display glass too much—you only need to make a gap of about 1/4".

    Edit

  12. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3

    • Slide the card toward the center of the display to cut any of the remaining adhesive along the top right corner of the iMac.

    • Be sure to stop before the iSight camera, or you may damage it.

    Edit

  14. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Wedge the plastic card into the top right corner once again, and leave it there to prevent the adhesive from resticking.

    Edit

  15. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 14, image 3 of 3

    • Insert a second plastic card into the gap between the display and frame near the top left corner of the iMac.

    Edit

  16. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Gently twist the card upward, slightly increasing the space between the display and frame.

    • As with the other side, twist slowly to allow the adhesive time to separate, and be careful not to over-stress the display glass.

    Edit

  17. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 16, image 3 of 3

    • Slide the plastic card toward the center, again stopping just before the iSight camera.

    Edit

  18. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 2

    • Wedge the plastic card back into the top left corner.

    Edit

  19. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 18, image 3 of 3

    • With both plastic cards inserted as shown near the corners, gently twist the cards sideways to increase the gap between display and case.

    • If there are any sections that seem to stick and won't separate, stop twisting and use one of the cards to cut the remaining adhesive.

    • Begin to lift the top of the display up from the frame.

    • Only lift the display a few inches—the display data and power cables are still connected to the logic board.

    Edit

  20. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement, Display Assembly Cables: step 19, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement, Display Assembly Cables: step 19, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the display up enough to have easy access to the connector, but not so much that you stretch the cables and stress their connections (about 8").

    • Hold the display with one hand while using your other hand to unplug the display power cable.

    Edit

  21. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 20, image 3 of 3

    • Continuing to support the display with one hand, flip up the metal retaining bracket on the display data cable.

    • Carefully pull the display data cable from its socket on the logic board.

    • Be sure to pull the display data cable connector straight out of its socket, keeping it parallel to the motherboard, to avoid damaging it.

    Edit

  22. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement, Display Assembly Separation: step 21, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement, Display Assembly Separation: step 21, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the display up to a near-vertical position.

    • At this point there is still a strip of adhesive along the bottom of the display that will hold the display to the frame like a hinge. You can loosen this adhesive by working the display up and down a few times.

    Edit

  23. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 22, image 3 of 3

    • Be very careful not to touch the capacitor leads or any exposed solder joints on the back of the power supply (boxed in red).

    • Grasp the small tab at the end of one of the bottom edge display adhesive strips and pull the adhesive toward the top of the iMac to remove it.

    • Repeat this step with the other adhesive strip and remove it.

    • If either adhesive strip breaks before it's removed, use a plastic card to slice through the remaining adhesive.

    Edit

  24. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 23, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 23, image 3 of 3

    • Lift the display up from the frame and remove it from the iMac.

    • It may be necessary to slowly lift from one side to peel against the remaining adhesive.

    • Be very careful handling the display—it's big, heavy, and made of glass.

    • After the adhesive is cut, it cannot be used to re-seal the display in place. Follow this guide to replace the adhesive strips that secure the display to the rear enclosure.

    Edit

  25. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement, Lower Support Bracket: step 24, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement, Lower Support Bracket: step 24, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the following five Phillips screws holding the lower support bracket in place:

    • Four 3.2 mm screws

    • One 1.7 mm screw

    • You may need to peel up the display adhesive lining the bottom edge of the iMac enclosure to access the screws.

    Edit

  26. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the lower support bracket (a.k.a. "chin strap") from the iMac enclosure.

    Edit

  27. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement, Fan: step 26, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement, Fan: step 26, image 2 of 2

    • Gently pull the fan cable connector straight away from its socket on the logic board.

    Edit

  28. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 27, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the three 10 mm T10 Torx screws securing the fan to the rear enclosure.

    • The uppermost screw has a rubber standoff adhered to its head to support the display—leave this in place.

    Edit

  29. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 28, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 28, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the fan from the iMac.

    Edit

  30. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement, Left Speaker: step 29, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement, Left Speaker: step 29, image 2 of 2

    • Gently pull the left speaker cable straight out of its socket on the logic board.

    Edit

  31. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 30, image 1 of 1

    • De-route the left speaker cable by pulling it straight up out of the retaining clip in the back of the rear enclosure.

    Edit

  32. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 31, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 31, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 31, image 3 of 3

    • Use a spudger to disconnect the power button connector from its socket on the logic board.

    • Be careful not to touch any solder joints on the back of the power supply. Capacitors may be charged enough to give you a dangerous shock.

    Edit

  33. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 32, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two 10.0 mm T10 screws securing the left speaker to the rear case.

    • Rubber washers keep the screws snug in the speaker even when loosened. You can use tweezers or a fingernail to remove the screws, or simply leave them with the speaker assembly.

    Edit

  34. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 33, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 33, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the left speaker straight up, until the power button cable is exposed (about 0.5").

    Edit

  35. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 34, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 34, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 34, image 3 of 3

    • Gently de-route the power button cable from its groove in the left speaker.

    Edit

  36. iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 35, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 35, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Left Speaker Replacement: step 35, image 3 of 3

    • Lift the left speaker straight up and remove it from the iMac.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse.

2 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 4 other contributors

Adam O'Camb

Member since: 04/11/15

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