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MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement

Introduction

Change out the entire display assembly, including the inverter, Airport antennas, hinges and casing.

What you need

  1. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 3 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 2 of 3 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • Use your fingers to push both battery release tabs away from the battery, and lift the battery out of the computer.

    Edit

  2. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement, RAM Shield: step 2, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement, RAM Shield: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the three identical 2mm Phillips screws from the memory door.

    • Lift the memory door up enough to grip it and slide it toward you, pulling it away from the casing.

    Edit

  3. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement, Upper Case: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two 2.8 mm Phillips screws in the battery compartment near the latch.

    Edit

  4. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the following 6 screws:

    • Two 10 mm T6 Torx screws on either side of the RAM slot.

    • Four 14.5 mm Phillips screws along the hinge.

    Edit

  5. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the four 3.2 mm PH00 Phillips screws on the port side of the computer.

    Edit

  6. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Rotate the computer 90 degrees and remove the two 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the rear of the computer.

    Edit

  8. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Rotate the computer 90 degrees again and remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the side of the computer.

    Edit

  9. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Do not yank the upper case off quickly. The case is attached to the logic board via a ribbon cable.

    • Lift up at the rear of the case and work your fingers along the sides, freeing the case as you go. Once you have freed the sides, you may need to rock the case up and down to free the front of the upper case.

    • There are four plastic clips above the DVD slot, and another above and to the left of the IR sensor. These clips can be very difficult to disengage without prying. They can also be difficult to re-engage during reassembly.

    • Reassembly Tip: Press down firmly on the tip of the top case above the location of each clip until you hear a snap to reseat them in their slots.

    • Reassembly Tip: The two center DVD clips will rarely snap back into place properly without help, and downward pressure will instead simply deform the frame around the DVD slot. Support the frame by inserting a plastic spudger into the DVD slot directly under the clip location until it is snug, then press down until you hear the snap.

    Edit

  10. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board, removing tape as necessary.

    • Note: It is possible to replace the hard drive without disconnecting the keyboard from the chassis, but it will need to be held upright to keep it out of the way, while still allowing you both hands to work on the drive removal.

    • Be careful when removing the keyboard-trackpad ribbon cable to ensure that the rear of the upper case is disengaged from the area near the hinge. It is easy to accidentally bend the screw receivers on either side of the keyboard.

    • Remove the upper case.

    Edit

  11. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement, Display Assembly: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the two or three antenna cables attached to the Airport Extreme card. Depending on your model, one of the three cables may be unused and capped with a black shrink tube.

    • Apple was kind enough to include a label showing where each color antenna cable plugs in - just make sure to look at this when reconnecting the antenna cables.

    Edit

  12. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Deroute the Airport antenna cables from their channel in the left speaker.

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  13. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the iSight cable from the logic board by sliding the cable to the left and out of its connector.

    Edit

  14. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Support the display with one hand while removing the following screws:

    • One 9.5 mm silver T6 Torx screw with threads on only 3 mm of the shaft on the inside of the display hinges.

    • One 9.5 mm silver T6 Torx screw with threads on the entire shaft on the outside of the left hinge.

    • One 9.2 mm full thread T6 Torx screw securing the iSight cable ground loop to the fan.

    Edit

  15. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the inverter cable from the left I/O board by placing a spudger beneath the cable and lifting up.

    Edit

  16. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the display data cable from the logic board.

    • Remove the foam bumper from the top of the right hinge of the display.

    Edit

  17. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the silver 9.2 mm T6 Torx securing the ground loop in the display data cable to the casing.

    Edit

  18. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • Support the display with one hand while removing the following screw:

    • One 9.5 mm silver T6 Torx screw with threads on only 3 mm of the shaft on the inside of the display hinges.

    Edit

  19. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Display Assembly Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 1

    • Grasp the display assembly on both sides and lift it up and out of the computer.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

112 other people completed this guide.

2 Comments

Excellent job here and iFixit of course gets a nod with the author Walter Galan. It was reassuring to take apart. Having been inside the ole 2008 Penryn beast no biggie. But following the steps here for removing the screen was a treat. Better yet, having the photos to make sure the cables laid down properly when being reattached was reassuring. Thank you Walter!

Completed this in just over 30 minutes and not rushing.

waltdetmer - Reply

Howdy! I can’t get my macbook to power up after the screen replacement. Anything simple I should be looking for?

emholden - Reply

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