MacBook Hinge

I borrowed my Black MacBook out to a buddy of mine (BIG MISTAKE!) I got it back and now the screen/lid part does not close flush with the bottom part. It's not anywhere near noticeable when it's open or even when it's closed unless you're really looking at it, or touch it. I was just wondering if anyone has had this kind of a problem before or if anyone knows how to fix it, I'm pretty sure it's just that the hinge is out of place. I work in the IT department so I feel pretty confident in having to take it apart.

My MacBook also had a squeaking hinge, it was very annoying. What I did was loosen the screws just a little bit, and then lubricate the hinge with waxed dental floss. Just grab some regular waxed dental floss (mine was Johnson) and slide it between the hinge and case. Slide it back and forth just as you would on your teeth. That'll make it go away.

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The REAL "creaking macbook hinge" solution

It's not uncommon for current generation MacBook Pro users - including me - to experience a "creaking" noise" when opening/closing their computers.
The net is full of "solutions," including running waxed dental floss in the hinge areas.
I am a mechanical engineer with 24 years of experience and can tell you what the actual problem and solution is.
The screen portion of the assembly must be precisely centered in the chassis in order to get the proper clearance at each side of the hinge. Upon close examination, eople who hear the "creaking" sound will notice that their screen is offset slightly and is actually rubbing on the chassis at that location. This attributable to imprecise assembly at the factory.
You could take the entire unit apart and attempt to precisely center the screen, relative to the chassis.
Or, you could do what I did:
Take a small piece of emery cloth (220 grit or something close to it) and, with the unit opened, CAREFULLY sand away the aluminum on the CHASSIS (not the screen) in that area. I say "carefully," since there are some wires in that location (which, fortunately, are sheathed).
This will eliminate the interference fit and, if done correctly, will be all but invisible unless you examine the area under magnification.
I also lubed the hinges with BreakFree lubcricant.
http://www.break-free.com/
I have been "creak free" for more than 3 months now and the hinge mechanisms works much more freely.

AASP's Outside of the USA

Dirt in macbook hinge

I've noticed some dirt (dust?) in the hinge of my MacBook. I keep my computer very clean (Magic Eraser!) and this is starting to drive me crazy. Does anyone have a suggestion for how I can clean this area?

You could try a can of compressed air, available from most computer shops, with a straw on it to blow the dust out of tighter gaps like hinges etc.

Dropped Macbook - hinge bent?

Well the unthinkable happened to me this morning - as I was getting up from using my Macbook the loose end of an ipod cable that was still connected got caught between my toes and my macbook went flying off my desk while it was still open. It landed open with the screen and keyboard facing down. Luckily it somehow didn't get damaged (as far as I can tell so far) except when I close it the lid is a little out of alignment. This thing is more rugged than it looks! My first question is, is this something I should bother getting fixed, as far as the magnetic latches not being lined up exactly?
Also, should I take it to a genius bar just to have them check it out and verify that it still works after being dropped in case something goes wrong in the future? My thinking is that if something like the HDD goes and they see the misaligned lid as evidence of a fall, they wouldn't want to fix it.
Thanks!

Hi Eric,
glad to hear that the lcd and macbook still working.
yes, you can consult genius guy, but re-align your hinge might cost you since that caused by user.
There also third party tools with instruction how to adjust hinge yourself, but if you still under warranty and play with that, I'm afraid it will void the whole warranty if something get worse.
For your HD and rest of macbook try to run hardware check by starting using installer disk and press D while it boot up and run it.
Also you can boot up while pressing C with your installer disk in there, choose language, open utilities > disk utility > repair both permission and disk.
Good Luck.

Dropped MacBook; hinge doesn't close properly

Yesterday I dropped my MacBook while open backward on the floor and it fell flat on the back of the screen. Now if I want to close the screen (or open) in one of the corners the hinge does not close properly so the edge squeeks against the back of the bottom part. I'm afraid that in the long run this might cause problems as the screen has to be pushed slightly with it's friction. Are there any instructions somewhere where I can try to set the screen back in the right position?
Thanks

You might be able to use some of the information here, http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/ , to help accomplish this.

Squeaky MacBook hinge and hinge is also loose?

My MacBook Pro is 8 months old, the past two months I have noticed that whenever I open or shut my screen it makes a clear squeaking noise. I am new to Mac's and my friend (who is much more experienced with Apple products) told me it's not normal and to book an appointment with the Genius Bar. Appointment is now booked but on closer inspection I have noticed that when my Mac is closed, the black hinge easily slides left to right. Do you think this will be able to be fixed as I am still under my one year warranty?

I haven't heard of your contrast issue (Glad you checked that in Universal Access) but I have heard of the hinges on the Macbook having some issue once in a while. The connections between the Logic Board and screen are obviously in those hinges. If they are frayed, pinching, whatever, that can cause an issue like you're having.
I'm glad you have AppleCare, because screen repair/replacements aren't cheap. Don't forget, if your Apple Service Provider is saying it'll take too long to do a repair on-site you can still call AppleCare directly and you can mail-in your machine. Turn-around time takes anywhere from 4-10 days... but one can usually expect it to come back sooner than later.

Macbook Hinge :: Screw "Tightness"

Hello all...
I have a question that I'm unable to find an answer for on my own...silly as it may be, I just want to make sure that my beloved blackbook is "fine".
The other day, I noticed that one of the screws on the back of my notebook, next to the hinge on the back, was a little loose (slightly hanging out) so I decided to go around and tighten the screws around the case. All were tight except the two next to the hinge.
When I started to tighten them, i notice they do not come to a definite "stop" so I just turned until it was firm and 1/8th turn. I notice on other MBs I've looked at online that they are either flush or slightly recessed--mine are about .5mm recessed but all seems fine.
Now I may be OCD (in fact I'm almost sure of it) but I just want to make sure this is normal. My last Mac was a 12" PB and everything was Aluminum/metal, since everything is plactic I'm naturally a little curious/concerned.
Many thanks!
PS: I can't find a high-res shot of the back of any Macbooks online (each is too small to tell) to see if this is normal.

If the behavior changed when you tightened the hinge, have you tried loosening the hinge a little to see if you can manage the best of both worlds? Just try backing it off a little at a time until either the flickering comes back or the system works as you expect.

MacBook Hinge Squeak

Hi, I got my macbook about a week and a half ago, and a few days ago, the hinge started squeaking really badly. I uploaded a video of it to youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj-F-Y3z9cg.
Is this something I could return my macbook about or am I just being a perfectionist?

Applcare wont do anything, i sent mine in twice and they didnt fix it, then i found this product and i fixed it myself easily. This DOESNT void your computers waranty and it is fairly cheap ($25 with shipping) and gives u tools u can use in the future for other issues. amazing that apple cant do this but u can fix it yourself!
http://www.radtech.us/Products/Glides.aspx
the squeak disappeared immediately!

MacBook Hinge - Uneven Gap

I have a white MacBook that developed the hairline crack problem. Apple replaced the top and bottom cases, so the cracks have gone.
However, in replacing those parts, Apple didn't put the top case back on quite right. It's hard to explain, but when the MacBook is closed, the gap/space between the top part and the bottom part on one side is larger than the other. It's not a major issue, but it's not exactly precision engineering. The lid doesn't sit parallel with the base. It's crooked.
Even though the MacBook is now out of its warranty, would Apple be able to adjust the way it's screwed together? Would they perhaps do that for free? Or would it cost hundreds of pounds?

The only way to know is to take it back to the Apple Store. But having worked on lots of these, "precision engineering" are not words I would use to describe MacBook top cases. But see what they'll do- I think they'd take care of you.

MacBook Hinge Loose?

When I carry my MacBook I can feel the lid moving slightly back and forth when its in my hand. When the lid is open, its sturdy as ever and doesn't move at all. Is this normal??
-Thanks
-Eric

I am having a similar problem.
It is most noticeable when I take my Mac book out of its sleeve.
I too am wondering if this is usual.
Paul

Can't find folder/documents?

When I search for a folder in spotlight, it doesn't come up, and neither do any of the files inside. However when I go to Word and look at my recent files that I have saved to those locations (I am still able to do so) they're there. What could the problem be? I did switch everything over to my current air a month or two ago after my MacBook hinge broke, but so far I haven't found anything to be missing. Does anyone know how to find where the folder is, and make it so it comes up in search? I have checked spotlight preferences and both documents and folders are checked as ok. Thank you!

mmullen,
Try Spotlight: How to re-index folders or volumes.

White Macbook Unibody Hinge cracks?

Hi there,
I purchased my macbook back in 2010, as you call might be able to tell it is way out of warranty, but just after it was out i took it in to apple store Birmingham for another issue i had with the software, the Genius then noticed that the hinges of my laptop screen had cracked and told me that i could have the screen replaced free of charge. To this i was very happy becuase i thought it might have been something i had done.
Now a little more then a year on the same thing has happened, 2 hair line cracks have appeared again in the same place as the first one. so i took it back to the store again where i was once again that they would replace the screen free of charge.
Now i know that they are going/done this free of charge twice now, but i am a little concerned that it will just happen again in the next 6-12 months and ill have to make another trip to the shop.
has anybody else had this problem where they have done anymore then just replace the screen??
Thanks
Tom

TommGreenn wrote:
Ohh fair enough, thats good then.
and i had am idea that it might be three times, to get a replacement, (i had a problem with a old laptop that had to happen 3 times and they gave me a new one)
well this is the second display i will be having, if it happens again ill be ringing them up and asking, even though i don't have extended warranty do you reckon they will still talk to me?
I had one that was out of warranty when I brought it in to the Apple Store and the Genius that I took it to, I took it because my hinges broke and the screen didn't line up properly on the computer when it was closed. I had to pay for that which I was expecting because it was out of warranty. However, while I had it in there, and while I was talking to the Genius, he noticed something that was broke that was common and that they knew about, and they took care of that while it was in there free of charge. While it wasn't a screen, it was a MacBook that had the chipping around the screen and around the top plate of the case, they took care of it free of charge. The replaced all those pieces, put in a new keyboard, and a new trackpad all with the top cover as well. When I got it back, it was like a whole different computer. It was nice to get the customer service like that.

Cracks on either side of the hinge on my Macbook White Unibody (purchased mid-2010)

Hi there. My Macbook White (purchased mid-2010) has developed cracks at either end of the hinges, and they are beginning to move up the back of the screen. I am no longer under warranty, and was wondering if they would repair it, and how much it costs?
Also, my friend had a similar problem, and by the by off to university next year so funds are tight, and he, having had to pay £180 recieved a brand new Macbook Pro. I wondered if I would perhaps be able to benefit from the same treatment?
Cheers.

i had the exact same problem with mine and i hadnt even noticed it ! i took it in to the apple store for another problem that i needed doing and the person serving me notcied it. Now my laptop was out of warranty, but the guy said that they would repair it for free. I thought this might have been a gesture of goodwill as i have had so many problems but when i looked it up, they had done it for alot of people. Plus they did it in one day.
but if you have to pay the bill said
Display Module                   £150.00
Hardware Repair labor         £24.00
VAT                                  £34.80
Total                                  £ 208.80

I recently migrated my MacBook from 10.5.8 to 10.6.8, using the Snow Leopard CD I purchased from Apple. Since then I have noticed a strange ozone smell coming from the MacBook in the area where the hinges are to open and close the unit. I was told by Appl

I recently migrated my MacBook from 10.5.8 to 10.6.8, using the Snow Leopard CD I purchased from Apple. Since then I have noticed a strange ozone smell coming from the MacBook in the area where the hinges are to open and close the unit. I was told by Apple that it probably is not serious and is coming from the fans in the MacBook. It is true that the smell/odor is more intense when the fans are working. Apple said I should take the MacBook to an Apple Store to have the hardware checked out. Everything seems to be working correctly. I am backing up automatically wirelessly to a Time Capsule, which I had not done until recently, although I had purchased the Time Capsule in 2009. I have not noticed this odor before. Does anyone suspect something more serious that may be going on?

You may be smelling it because with the new OS the processor is having to work harder causing it to get hotter then it would with the other OS. I can't say there is nothing wrong, but what could be happening is just that, it's getting hotter so the fan is spinning faster and moving more air so you are getting more of the smell then you would before. I would still continue to back it up, and take it to the Apple Store at a Genius Bar and have them look at it to make sure. Was the computer ever in a smoky environment??

Messed up hinge on MacBook pro what to do?

Yesterday my MacBook pro just started acting up the lid wouldn't fully close or hold itself up unless it was vertical. There was no damage I know of. Is this covered by AppleCare otherwise one should I do. The computer has been having a few other problems including bad battery life even with a new battery. Also the wifi connection is worse than any of my families computers I will have two bars to their full and one is five years old while mine is ten days from the end of my AppleCare. Also general slowness.

The hinge for sure would be covered. Not sure what the other problems relate to but take it in......the Genius Bar is always helpful at my store.

MacBook Hinge

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