iBook latch?

On my iBook, the flip out hook is getting stuck in the latch. Like, the computer is closed, and when I push the button to open it, it just makes a grinding sound and stays latched closed.

I have pushed down slightly on the screen part and that would work, but now that's not working too well either. This is REALLY pissing me off. Sometimes it takes 10 attempts to open my computer, and is especially embarrasing when I'm with people I know and they know how I'm always talking about how great my Mac is.

OrangeSVTguy said:

how confident are you about opening up an ibook? i'd give you the latch assembly or the whole top palmrest assembly for just shipping costs if you want it. i'm thinking you got dirt in there and it could just be cleaned out if you take it apart.

here's a pic of the mechanics of the latch assembly. cleaned out and oiled up should make it work like new again.

Click to expand...

I figured out the problem. It's not dirty. The screen part of the computer is not exactly centered on the other half. This is causing the hook to get stuck under some other part. If I push the screen half over to the left a little bit, the computer will pop open great.

So I just have to find a way to get the screen half to stay centered.