PowerMac G5 Case issue

KeegM480 · Nov 17, 2013

So I need some suggestions on how to bend my case back to how it should be, I hope I provided enough images, yes this is causing issues, my computer sits at a terrible angle and every now and then makes odd noises uniting I hold it straight.

Any suggestions? It looks like it was dropped and the bottom part was bent? (I bought the computer like this)

(Sorry, first two images refused to rotate properly)

tampasteve · Nov 17, 2013

How does this happen? I have seen a ton of these units with this issue. Maybe try warming it up with a heat gun or hair dryer and the carefully push it with your hands (with gloves)? Just an idea....

jbarley · Nov 17, 2013

tampasteve said:
How does this happen? I have seen a ton of these units with this issue. Maybe try warming it up with a heat gun or hair dryer and the carefully push it with your hands (with gloves)? Just an idea....

You do realize this is tempered aluminum and not plastic.
A heat gun is not going to cut it, an acetylene torch yes, but then you'd more then likely create other problems.

Umbreon · Nov 17, 2013

This often happens when the PM G5 (or MacPro) has been packed incompetently, then its shipping box is dropped. A professional-grade packing job makes sure that the bottom of the case (not the legs) are supported by packaging; that way the legs don't absorb the stress of being dropped--they may look spring-like, but they're not impact-absorbing. These machines weigh over 40 lbs., so quite a bit of force needs to be absorbed when their shipping box is dropped.

KeegM480 · Nov 17, 2013

So any ideas? Haha, I figured that it was because of those reasons, i dont want to beat the Mac with a hammer..

tampasteve · Nov 17, 2013

jbarley said:
You do realize this is tempered aluminum and not plastic.
A heat gun is not going to cut it, an acetylene torch yes, but then you'd more then likely create other problems.

Yes, I am quite aware, I have three PMG5 in my possession currently. At least I offered an idea.....maybe a poor one, but it was something.

gobsmacked · Nov 17, 2013

PowerMac G5 Case issue

KeegM480 said:
So I need some suggestions on how to bend my case back to how it should be, I hope I provided enough images, yes this is causing issues, my computer sits at a terrible angle and every now and then makes odd noises uniting I hold it straight.

Any suggestions? It looks like it was dropped and the bottom part was bent? (I bought the computer like this)

(Sorry, first two images refused to rotate properly)

Your pictures could have been of my case. Mine had been dropped in shipping.
The problem in trying to fix it is that the aluminum springs back a bit after you have straightened it so you have to actually bend it a little past where you want it to be. But, the case is in the way. I used C clamps (heavy duty screw kind). 3 of them along the bottom to hold it flat to the table and then a large one at right angles to try and pull in the edge that was protruding. It was still a little wonky, but nowhere near as bad. I stuck a door wedge under it so that it would stand upright.
Eventually, I just replaced the case. You may just want to use the door wedge trick.

KeegM480 · Nov 17, 2013

tampasteve said:
Yes, I am quite aware, I have three PMG5 in my possession currently. At least I offered an idea.....maybe a poor one, but it was something.

I know, thank you

to be serious not rude, I would just rather not do that, dont want the risk

gobsmacked said:
Your pictures could have been of my case. Mine had been dropped in shipping.
The problem in trying to fix it is that the aluminum springs back a bit after you have straightened it so you have to actually bend it a little past where you want it to be. But, the case is in the way. I used C clamps (heavy duty screw kind). 3 of them along the bottom to hold it flat to the table and then a large one at right angles to try and pull in the edge that was protruding. It was still a little wonky, but nowhere near as bad. I stuck a door wedge under it so that it would stand upright.
Eventually, I just replaced the case. You may just want to use the door wedge trick.

Thats kind of what I was thinking just not the tool.

KeegM480 · Nov 17, 2013

bent it back with a hammer (just bent it didn't smack the computer (Im against Technology abuse) and have it sitting upside down to hold its place

Goftrey · Nov 17, 2013

Exact same thing happened to my old G5.

As someone above mentioned it's easy enough to hit it with a hammer (there's enough force there) but it's the elasticity that is the issue.

The first thing I did was to take the 'loose' parts out of the G5 (ie. GPU, hard drives). I then got a 2x4 in underneath the handle & used that as a lever to counteract the bowing in the foot (this also helped somewhat in 'squeezing' the foot as a whole back into shape).

After that I wrapped my G5 in a quilt to absorb as much pressure a possible, wrapped a standard little wood hammer in a flannel - and just sat there, patiently tapping away fairly gently (but with considerable force) until I got some sort of shape back - trying different parts of where the foot is bent.

It still, then wasn't 100% perfect, but the G5 stood upright perfectly well & the door went on without an issue.

KeegM480 · Nov 17, 2013

Goftrey said:
Exact same thing happened to my old G5.

As someone above mentioned it's easy enough to hit it with a hammer (there's enough force there) but it's the elasticity that is the issue.

The first thing I did was to take the 'loose' parts out of the G5 (ie. GPU, hard drives). I then got a 2x4 in underneath the handle & used that as a lever to counteract the bowing in the foot (this also helped somewhat in 'squeezing' the foot as a whole back into shape).

After that I wrapped my G5 in a quilt to absorb as much pressure a possible, wrapped a standard little wood hammer in a flannel - and just sat there, patiently tapping away fairly gently (but with considerable force) until I got some sort of shape back - trying different parts of where the foot is bent.

It still, then wasn't 100% perfect, but the G5 stood upright perfectly well & the door went on without an issue.

hmm.. I have a really poofy comforter... but i just plugged it all back in hahaha

KeegM480 · Nov 17, 2013

I have it sitting with a hammer wedged in the gap from the bottom of the computer to the bottom of the base, hopefully it will be good to go shortly

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