Just had to take it apart - wobble solved

[NC MacGuy]

Well, the Air has been taunting me for weeks to see its innards first hand. I assumed I'd wait until a drive upgrade or needed to replace the battery for first surgery. I didn't really want to do it since it was near flawless until three days ago.

Well, my Air developed a bit of a wobble on its feet and when I tapped on right front next to trackpad there was a bit of give/tap sound as right-front top kinda' hit something. I assumed it was from traveling in briefcase and I torqued it wrong. Tried tightening outer screws to no avail.

Finally took bottom off. Very easy. Turns out inner screws were just a tad loose on battery to case mounts. Got 1/2 a turn out of a lot of them. Put it back together and no wobble and top is now as secure as it was before. Also got some dog hair out of wee fan and vents. I assume the screws just loosened a bit with heat and use. It also sat for a day in below freezing car.

It is pretty inside.. Imagine all the good Airs that'll be in refurb. store for want of tightening some screws.

[BongoBanger]

So does that knacker your warranty or what?

[NC MacGuy]

Originally Posted by BongoBanger

So does that knacker your warranty or what?

I don't think so.

For one thing, she still works great. Another is none of the screws were using lock-tight so no evidence if you will. I'm pretty careful using a screwdriver. I usually spill drinking them, though...

No screws show any signs of being tampered with.

I couldn't exchange it anyway without issue since I've had it since Feb. 1. I think the only time you void warranty is if you actually break things. Feel totally confident opening my Air up and can't wait until SSD's come down in price.

[BongoBanger]

Fair enough. Carry on then.

[Consultant]

Wow, great that you found the problem!

More people should take up the initiative to solve problems...

[Cheffy Dave]

Originally Posted by NC MacGuy

Well, the Air has been taunting me for weeks to see its innards first hand. I assumed I'd wait until a drive upgrade or needed to replace the battery for first surgery. I didn't really want to do it since it was near flawless until three days ago.

Well, my Air developed a bit of a wobble on its feet and when I tapped on right front next to trackpad there was a bit of give/tap sound as right-front top kinda' hit something. I assumed it was from traveling in briefcase and I torqued it wrong. Tried tightening outer screws to no avail.

Finally took bottom off. Very easy. Turns out inner screws were just a tad loose on battery to case mounts. Got 1/2 a turn out of a lot of them. Put it back together and no wobble and top is now as secure as it was before. Also got some dog hair out of wee fan and vents. I assume the screws just loosened a bit with heat and use. It also sat for a day in below freezing car.

It is pretty inside.. Imagine all the good Airs that'll be in refurb. store for want of tightening some screws.

Good for you! Enjoy that great machine! It was on my main list at the top, until the refurbed Black Mac Books hit. For $1049 it became my first Mac

[Sesshi]

Originally Posted by Consultant

Wow, great that you found the problem!

More people should take up the initiative to solve problems...

To fix problems that should not be there? Perhaps not when you have a warranty that doesn't involve you wasting time shlepping to the nearest Apple Store or waiting for two weeks for it to come back - but maybe, just maybe it's a necessity with Apple's wares.

Luckily though my Air has yet to display any physical issues.

[MacRumorUser]

^ Have to agree with you there Sesshi. You shouldn't be forced to open up your mac to fix a problem that shouldn't exist.

Mine doesn't have the problem, if it did - i'm unsure I'd be brave enough to open it though.

[NC MacGuy]

I didn't HAVE to take it apart and really, 95 out of 100 people probably wouldn't have noticed or thought it a big deal. It was perfect at one time and I observed the non-perfectness subtly.

Had it not been as simple an issue as tightening some screws, I would agree.

I can see how the heating and cooling of the metal along with the differing heat of the plastic battery enclosure will cause these screws to loosen over time. If this is the only thing that happens to it for a couple of years, I'll consider myself quite blessed. It did show up after leaving it in a car at 12ºF for near ten hours.