Does the metal shim prevent the lid from closing? Are there bluetooth/WiFi antenna extension cables available anywhere? I've googled around but to no avail.
I have a Macbook Air Late 2010 with water damage and a Macbook Air Early 2011 with a cracked screen. It seems to me that if the metal shim could be removed somehow and you could extend the antenna cables, this could happen.
Granted, I haven't taken mine apart yet because if this really can't work as SecondHandMac has stated, then I'm just going to sell them as is and move on.