Replacement of screen on MacBook Pro 17 screen by LaptopScreen.com

Remove the bezel

In the first step is to remove the aluminum bezel. The bezel is glued on around the perimeter and
it is recommended to use a heat gun or a hair dryer to thoroughly warm it up before attempting to
remove it. Keep the heat gun at least an inch away and go around the perimeter making sure the
edge is getting warmed up evenly. Insert a putty knife in the to left corner between the aluminum
bezel and the rubber gasket as we are removing the bezel and leaving the rubber gasket in place.
Gently slide the putty knife to the right helping separation with your fingers. Skip the area near the
eyesight camera. There is no glue there and we don't want to damage the wiring. Once the top
edge is separated move on to the side edges. Apply the heat as needed to achieve easy
separation. Please note it may take considerable amount of time to remove the bezel properly.
Be extra patient and use the heat gun or the hair dryer instead of using force. Apply a bit of heat
at the bottom edge. Separate the the bezel. Hopefully it is nice and straight. Lay it down on a flat
surface

Separate the back cover

The screen is mounted with four screws two at the top and two more at the bottom. Unfortunately
there's no easy way to remove the two tiny screws at the bottom. So the entire top cover has to be
separated from the body. Close the laptop and flip it over to gain access to the bottom panel.
There are 10 screws holding the back cover in place first three are long screws the other seven are
short. Remove the screws using a Phillips screwdriver separate the back cover. Make sure to be
gentle when pulling up

Disconnect all the cable

In order to separate the display assembly we will be disconnecting all the cables routed into it as
well as gaining access to the hinge screws. Go ahead and disconnect the flat ribbon cable on the
motherboard side by pulling up on the connector part of the cable. Disconnect the eyes side
camera cable by gently rocking the cable side to side once then pulling it out. Carefully pull the
eyes side cable out of its channel. Using a pick or a flat screwdriver unsnap three coaxil Wi-Fi
and bluetooth antenna cable. Slowly remove all three cables from their channels. Using a Philip
screwdriver remove two screws on each side of the wireless card bracket. For convenience
reasons keep the screws together with a bracket. Then remove the bracket and set it aside.
Remove a Phillips screw from the right cable guide one of the coaxial cable uses it as a
grounding point. Make sure to be careful when separating it. Set the cable guide and the screw
aside. Move on to the left cable guide. Remove a Phillips screw and a cable
bracket. For convenience keep the screw and the bracket together. Remove the next Phillips
screws. Be careful separating the screws as the video cable uses it as a tension point. A
magnetic tip screwdriver is great for this repair. There's an another screw left in the left cable
guide but in order to remove it the video cable has to be disconnected. Using a pick or a flat
screwdriver gently pop open the video connector bracket. Using both hands slide the video
connector out. Very important since the battery is still connected the video cable has to be kept
dead straight when disconnecting and reconnecting it. Slanting the connector may result in a
short and a burnt fuse. Be extra precise when dealing with a video connector on the
motherboard side. Remove the final Philips screw from the left cable guide. Set the cable guide
aside

Remove the hinge screws separate the display assembly

At this point the hinge screws can be accessed the hinge screws use a Torx six size bit and if
your laptop is 2 years or older there may be trouble when removing these screws. In our case
the screws one on each side had to be drilled out since one got stripped almost immediately
and the other broke. Our brand new screwdriver bit when it comes to drilling the screws out
pick a bit size at least matching that of the screw stem or larger. And it's a good idea to place
a strong magnet near the drill point as the metal shavings are best to be collected and not let
loose in the case drill down into the center of the screw until the cap is separated
In order to easily remove and later replace the display assembly the hinge has to be open at
90 degrees angle. Best way to achieve that is to hang the computer off the table with a display
assembly open and coming down over the table. Go ahead and remove torque screws
on each side. Gently lift the display assembly minding the cables on both sides set the
computer body aside and place the display assembly on the table

Remove the hinge cover

The next step is to separate the hinge cover slide it to the left to unlock it from its tabs and
gently lift up. Set the hinge cover aside

Remove the hinges

At this point both hinges have to be removed. The hinges are mounted using three torque
screws two on the bottom side and one on the opposite side of each hinge. Remove all four
bottom hinge screws using a torque screwdriver. Remove two opposing screws one on each
hinge. Set the left and the right hinge aside

Remove the LCD panel

Once the hinges are removed roll back the rubber gasket directly underneath the left hinge
and remove a tiny Phillips screw. Remove another tiny Phillips screw on the right side under
the rubber gasket. Remove two top LCD screws one on the left side on the other on the right
Using a pick or a flat screwdriver lift up the LCD panel and pull it out of the back cover ensure
to guide the video cable together with a screen. Do not not put too much strain on the video
cable and be patient. Feed through enough cable to position the LCD perpendicular to the
back cover. Lay the LCD down like so using a pick or a flat screwdriver open the video
connector bracket and disconnect the video cable from the LCD. Set the old panel aside

Install the new LCD panel

At this point the new panel can be installed. If the new screen does not come with a protective
film it is recommended to place a cloth or a paper towel underneath it when installing.
Position the new panel in alignment with the video cable and reconnect the video jack.
Using a pick or a flat screwdriver close the connector's bracket and tuck it in under the plastic
shield on the LCD. Carefully set the new panel in place mining the video cable and making sure
the bottom mounting points are inserted in the slots. Replace two tiny mounting screws at the
top. Then replace the two bottom screws under the rubber gasket

Replace the hinges and hinge cover

At this point the hinges can be reinstalled. Align the top screw of the right hinge then replace the
hinge Ox cabling goes on the upper side of it. Replace the bottom two screws. Repeat the same
for the left hinge. Set the upper screw first and secure the two bottom screws. Set the video
cable in place above the hinge and replace the hinge cover. Align it half an inch offset to the
right and slide it in place to the left making sure it is centered and is fitted properly to all the
locking tabs underneath

Reinstall the display assembly

Place the laptop body on the edge of the table and a line in position to reinstall the display
assembly carefully position the display assembly over the mounting points. Replace the hinge
screws but do not tighten them all the way. The top cover needs to be properly aligned with
the body so make sure the screws allow for some travel. Once both left and right hinge screws
are in place close the display assembly and make sure all corners and sides line up with the
laptop's body. Then tighten the hinge screws

Guide all cables the cables and connect all the connectors

At this point the cable guides can be reinstalled.
Replace the right cable guide. It should be a fairly snug fit. Secure the right side screw. Make
sure the coaxial cable grounding point is included under the screw. Replace the left cable
guide. Secure the left Phillips screw. Replace the middle Phillips screw. Make sure the video
cable tensioning point is included under that screw. Align the video cable with a socket and
ensuring precise fit slide the video jack into the connector. Using a pick or flat screwdriver
secure the video connector bracket. Replace the wireless card bracket. Secure at the right the
and the left Phillips screws. Reconnect the coaxial antenna cables and secure them in the
channels. Reposition the isight cable into its channel and gently plug it in on the motherboard.
Reconnect the flex ribbon connector to the motherboard. Don't forget the video cable clamp
on the left hinge. It is secured with a Phillips screw

Replace the back cover

At this point the back cover can be replaced. Press on the middle to snap in securing tabs with
both hands. Replace the back cover screws. Three long ones starting from the bottom left corner
and the other seven short

Test the new screen

At this point the screen can be tested. Press the power button and if the startup Graphics appears
the screen is installed and working properly please note the printed spot on the screen visible
when the computer is turned on it is printed on the protective film press and hold the power
button to cancel the boot up. Peel off and remove the protective film. Starting at the top left
corner

Replace the bezel

At this point the bezel can be replaced. Place the bezel face down on the computer and gently
bend it back in shape. If needed warm up the underside of the bezel with a heat gun for a few
seconds to reactivate the glut. Align the bezel at the bottom edge and snap it in gently around the
perimeter. Make sure it fits well under the rubber gasket and that all the corners are in place
and you're done!