MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 Hard Drive Cable Replacement

Walter Galan and 5 other contributors

Last updated on December 17, 2019

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30 minutes - 1 hour

Rough estimate of how long this takes. (Use this to plan your day, not to feel judged.)

Easy

Difficulty rating: Easy! Minimal disassembly, using only basic tools.

Introduction

Go to step 1

Use this guide to replace your hard drive cable. A new hard drive cable also provides a new IR sensor.

What you need

Parts

• 
  MacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Mid 2009‑Mid 2010) Hard Drive Cable

  $34.99 New / With Bracket$29.99 Used / With Bracket

  4.8

  Add to cart

Tools

• 
  Phillips #00 Screwdriver

  $5.49 iFixit$8.99 Moody - Made in USA (Sold out)

  4.8

  Add to cart
• 
  Spudger

  $3.99 Fixite Carbon Fiber$2.99 Glass Fiber$149.99 Glass Fiber Bundle of 100

  4.9

  Add to cart

Show more…

Step 1 Remove the lower case screws

• Remove the following 10 screws securing the lower case to the MacBook Pro 13" Unibody:
• Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.
• Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.
Step 2 Lift the lower case away

• Slightly lift the lower case and push it toward the rear of the computer to free the mounting tabs.
Step 3 Battery
• For precautionary purposes, we advise that you disconnect the battery connector from the logic board to avoid any electrical discharge.
• Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the battery connector up out of its socket on the logic board.
Step 4 Hard Drive
• Remove two Phillips screws securing the hard drive bracket to the upper case.
• These screws are captive to the hard drive bracket.
Step 5
• Lift the the retaining bracket out of the upper case.
Step 6
• Lift the hard drive by its pull tab and pull it out of the chassis, minding the cable attaching it to the computer.
Step 7
• Remove the hard drive cable by pulling its connector straight away from the hard drive.
Step 8 Hard Drive Cable
• Remove the following four screws securing the hard drive and IR sensor cable to the upper case:
• Two 1.5 mm Phillips screws.
• Two 9.5 mm Phillips screws.
Step 9
• Slide the hard drive and IR sensor bracket away from the edge of the upper case.
• Carefully peel the hard drive and IR sensor cable from the upper case.
Step 10
• Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the hard drive cable connector up off the logic board.
Step 11
• Lift the hard drive/IR sensor cable assembly out of the upper case.
• If your replacement part does not come with the hard drive bracket and indicator light, you will need to pull those off of the part you are removing and install them on the new part.
• Your replacement part may come with several adhesive foam bumpers. These are to ensure a snug fit of both bracket and hard drive. Apply only as needed.

Author

with 5 other contributors

Walter Galan

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