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Macbook pro 13 inch 2010's bottom case makes clicking noise when pressed down

Z

zilchie

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 4, 2011
14
1
Hey there guys
I dunno if im just OCD about this but when i turn my macbook pro upside down, when i press firmly on the left side (where the hard drive is located) i can hear a clicking/creaking noise as if the bottom case is not properly closed (but i swear to god it is properly closed!)

i have re-opened the bottom case and re-closing everything but that faint click is there if i press down (and no when i press down i make sure the computer is turned off so its not the hard drive i was pressing on haha)
every other side is very firm and SOLID, so im not really sure whats wrong with this particular side (left side screw near the hard drive)

anyone else experienced this before?.

I did some extensive google search and someone mentioned a "star pattern" when closing down the bottom lid of the macbook pro - I was worried that by repeated opening/closing of the bottom screws it would do more damage than by the actual clicking itself

anyone can help?

should i bring this to a "genius" and see if they are willing to help?

oh and by the way i did open up my macbook pro a few months ago to install a WD scorpio blue 750GB (9.5mm) but the problem didnt appear until lately
 
I have the same problem with my 2010 15" MBP. It occurs when i press in the centre bottom of the laptop, I am assuming this is the weakest point of the aluminum body. I know my post isn't helpful in anyway just wanted to let you know you're not the only one.

I haven't gone to see a genius though if it bothers you enough you could try going and they may be able to offer you some help.

Also I have never opened my MBP before.
 
Genocide said:
I have the same problem with my 2010 15" MBP. It occurs when i press in the centre bottom of the laptop, I am assuming this is the weakest point of the aluminum body. I know my post isn't helpful in anyway just wanted to let you know you're not the only one.

I haven't gone to see a genius though if it bothers you enough you could try going and they may be able to offer you some help.

Also I have never opened my MBP before.
Click to expand...

Hi there , thanks for the reply,
Hmm i guess im not the only one! Im really curious in why this is happening as the hard drive i installed into my mbp is exactly the same size 9.5mm so in theory this clicking noise / creaking really shouldnt be there at all

anyone else? and perhaps if there's a solution to this?
 
Genocide said:
I have the same problem with my 2010 15" MBP. It occurs when i press in the centre bottom of the laptop, I am assuming this is the weakest point of the aluminum body. I know my post isn't helpful in anyway just wanted to let you know you're not the only one.

I haven't gone to see a genius though if it bothers you enough you could try going and they may be able to offer you some help.

Also I have never opened my MBP before.
Click to expand...

A friend of mine who has a 2010" MBP also has the exact same problem. I guess every MBP suffers from this? I am not sure. I will see when my MBP arrives.
 
Genocide said:
Here I found this discussion on the problem by googling it. I only read the first two pages of comments but the consensus seems to be that the sounds comes from springs that are between the aluminum body and the logic board. A suggested fix seems to be greasing these moving components. Hope this helps.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1920039?start=15&tstart=0
Click to expand...

yeah i saw this post as well

wow it seems like its a pretty common issue

hmmm... not really keen on removing anything from my mbp, as i assume it would void my warranty?

perhaps i shall consult with a "genius" (gosh how dorky does that sound) soon
 
zilchie said:
yeah i saw this post as well

wow it seems like its a pretty common issue

hmmm... not really keen on removing anything from my mbp, as i assume it would void my warranty?

perhaps i shall consult with a "genius" (gosh how dorky does that sound) soon
Click to expand...

I went to a Genius about this and they didn't have a clue, no idea about what the noise was and it wasn't a known issue, they did a full diagnostic on it and I even provided them with a sound clip of the noise and they where none the wiser (as was I).

I ended up buying some thermal pads (great compression rates and stop things from moving around) and I put them in several places under my MBP's back case so it doesn't move around, and voila. Problem solved! It was driving me insane as well, but not anymore.

If you've got any more questions, don't hesitate to ask (or inbox me).
 
wow im kinda surprised that this is actually very common

must be a design flaw on apple's part, their so called "unibody" might not be that creaky-free at all

I even went as far as going to the apple store, turning their macbooks upside down and pressing down to see if it clicks, none of the display models clicks/creaks (they must think im crazy to walk in to an apple shop just to turn their display MBPs upside down and pressing down on the bottom case lol)
 
i found this to be an issue with my MBP. After owning it for 2 months I had to replace the HDD. Doesnt do it anymore.
 
hey guys I somehow solved my problem

I re-opened my macbook pro today and re-sealed it, starting with the long screws first, firmly pressing down on the MBP's case (with a neoprene sleeve underneath the MBP to be safe) and sealing the MBP one by one

remember to start with the long screws first and then slowly seal the short ones

this worked for me somehow

now the bottom case of my macbook pro if solid as a rock! I can press it down firmly or hold it with one hand and no noise whatsoever!

im not sure if this is the solution for everyone but it totally solved my problem, i thought i'd share it with the people who have the same problem

oh and plus - dont overtighten the screws, and also, make sure the screws slot in naturally without needing excessive force, if you need excessive force to slot it in chances are its not in the right groove - so take it out and try again
 
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