MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 Hard Drive Cable Replacement

ID: 5120

Description: Use this guide to replace a broken hard drive...

Steps:

  1. Remove the following ten screws:
  2. Three 14.4 mm Phillips #00 screws
  3. Three 3.5 mm Phillips #00 screws
  4. Four 3.5 mm shouldered Phillips #00 screws
  5. When replacing the small screws, align them perpendicular to the slight curvature of the case (they don't go straight down).
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  6. Use your fingers to pry the lower case away from the body of the MacBook near the vent.
  7. Remove the lower case.
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  8. Use the edge of a spudger to pry the battery connector upwards from its socket on the logic board.
  9. It is useful to pry upward on both short sides of the connector to "walk" it out of its socket. Be careful with the corners of the connectors, they can be easily broken off.
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  10. Bend the battery cable slightly away from its socket on the logic board so it does not accidentally connect itself while you work.
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  11. Remove the two Phillips screws securing the hard drive bracket to the upper case.
  12. These screws will remain attached to the hard drive bracket.
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  13. Remove the hard drive bracket.
  14. The hard drive bracket may be firmly seated against the upper case.
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  15. Use the attached pull tab to lift the hard drive out of the upper case.
  16. Don't try to completely remove the hard drive just yet. It is still attached to the hard drive cable.
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  17. Pull the hard drive cable away from the body of the hard drive.
  18. Remove the hard drive.
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  19. Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the hard drive cable connector up from its socket on the logic board.
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  20. Remove the following four screws:
  21. Two 3 mm Phillips screws
  22. Two 9.7 mm Phillips screws
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  23. Carefully peel up the thin IR sensor/sleep LED ribbon cable from the adhesive securing it to the upper case.
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  24. Pull the front hard drive bracket containing the IR sensor/sleep LED away from the front edge of the upper case.
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  25. Remove the hard drive cable.
  26. 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.
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  27. Your replacement part may or may not come with the front (sensor) bracket. If it does not, you'll need to transfer it to your new cable.
  28. Use the tip of a spudger to flip the "lever" of the ZIF connector (left side in first photo) on the hard drive cable. The connector does not come off, see next instruction.
  29. Gently pull the yellow sensor bracket cable out of the ZIF connector (to the right, in the second photo).
  30. Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the hard drive cable up off the sensor bracket to which it is adhered.
  31. Remove the adhesive backing from your new hard drive cable, stick it onto the sensor bracket, and connect the sensor bracket cable.
  32. Many fixers cover the length of the thicker cable in the pair with sections of electrical tape on both sides because it can rub the tiny ridges inside the aluminum case causing a short to the case itself or simply breaking the connection.
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