crwdns2933423:0crwdne2933423:0

1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache

crwdns2934591:0371crwdne2934591:0 crwdns2934593:0crwdne2934593:0

Lid will not shut completely. Hinge too tight?

I have a 2012 MacBook Air, obviously out of warrantee, that suddenly will not close all the way. It was a problem on one side only at first, but it’s getting worse with a half inch between the lid and the body of the machine. I opened it up and removed the screen. I’ve found that one hinge is moveable with my fingers alone. The other is so tight it needs a wrench to move. I can’t tell which is “normal” or if either is the problem. I can say that when the machine is assembled the tighter hinge will not move past a certain point when closing and that may be the reason the screen bounces back open. My only idea is to wd40 it a bit to see if it loosens up, but I’m loathe to do such a thing without checking here first. I wouldn’t want a screen so loose it can’t stay open.

Block Image

Block Image

Block Image

Block Image

crwdns2934081:0crwdne2934081:0 crwdns2934083:0crwdne2934083:0 crwdns2934093:0crwdne2934093:0

crwdns2934109:0crwdne2934109:0

crwdns2889612:0crwdne2889612:0 3
crwdns2934285:0crwdne2934285:0

crwdns2933313:01crwdne2933313:0

crwdns2934051:0crwdne2934051:0

I've never had to use anything like WD40 on hinges. Use this guide to reseat the hinges correctly. Something else may be going on here and posting a couple of pictures might help us figure out your exact issue. MacBook Air 13" Mid 2012 Display Assembly Replacement

crwdns2934105:0crwdne2934105:0

crwdns2889612:0crwdne2889612:0 2

crwdns2944067:06crwdne2944067:0:

Added pictures to the initial post. Hope they help. The tighter hinge is the one with the iSight/airport cables. The looser one has the display cable. You can see how big the gap is when closed.

crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0crwdne2934271:0

Well I see a lot of crud in the hinge. I's use a q-tip dripped in alcohol to try to clean the hinges out.

crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0crwdne2934271:0

Ok, I dripped some alcohol into the hinge and moved it while picking grime out with a toothpick. That loosened it to moving again without needing a wrench. The lid is closing, though I don’t know how thorough a job of cleaning I managed. At least I know the problem now and in the future! Thanks!

crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0crwdne2934271:0

Taking the whole display apart is going pretty far. I would try cleaning the hinges with isopropyl first. It did the trick for me. If cleaning doesn't do it, then it may be time to escalate. :)

crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0crwdne2934271:0

I have the same problem with Macbook pro retina 2013. are steps the same?

Thanks,

Marina

crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0crwdne2934271:0

crwdns2934273:01crwdne2934273:0

crwdns2934285:0crwdne2934285:0

crwdns2934229:0crwdne2934229:0

Mark2000 crwdns2934231:0crwdne2934231:0
crwdns2936625:0crwdne2936625:0:

crwdns2936751:024crwdne2936751:0 0

crwdns2936753:07crwdne2936753:0 7

crwdns2936753:030crwdne2936753:0 34

crwdns2942667:0crwdne2942667:0 7,803