How to avoid RMBP's squeaky noise from bottom lid

[XiaoDi94]

Hey, I'm new here so I want to share some experience with you guys.

Recently I got a new 15 inch RMBP, but then I noticed there was squeaky noise when I hold my macbook and pressed the bottom lid. So I brought it to Apple Store and made an exchange. However, the problem still existed. Then I tried to figure it out why.. so I opened up the bottom lid by unscrewing the screws, did nothing, then put screwed it back. NO MORE squeaky noise!!

Hope this helps!!!

 

[sebseb]

Doesn't that void the warranty? Since nothing in the rMBP is user replaceable, I assume opening the back panel would void it.

 

[Dark Void]

I also require my screws to be unscrewed and then screwed back in to stop making a squeaky noise.

Think about that.




Hint: It makes no sense at all.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Doesn't that void the warranty? Since nothing in the rMBP is user replaceable, I assume opening the back panel would void it.

Nope, and in theory the SSD's are user replaceable if there was any third party suppliers for them.

 

[MBHockey]

do you need two different screwdrivers to remove the bottom casing?

 

[TheIguana]

Hey, I'm new here so I want to share some experience with you guys.

Recently I got a new 15 inch RMBP, but then I noticed there was squeaky noise when I hold my macbook and pressed the bottom lid. So I brought it to Apple Store and made an exchange. However, the problem still existed. Then I tried to figure it out why.. so I opened up the bottom lid by unscrewing the screws, did nothing, then put screwed it back. NO MORE squeaky noise!!

Hope this helps!!!

It comes from spring loaded grounding pins that extend from the top case to the back panel. Honestly, this is another one of those "stop worrying and love your Mac" moments.

do you need two different screwdrivers to remove the bottom casing?

Just one pentalobular screwdriver. It uses the P5 sized head.

 

[TheIguana]

Nope, and in theory the SSD's are user replaceable if there was any third party suppliers for them.

They are not "officially" user replaceable. So if you needed to make a trip to the Apple Store for repairs they could list it as a reason they wouldn't touch it.

 

[MBHockey]

Hey, I'm new here so I want to share some experience with you guys.

Recently I got a new 15 inch RMBP, but then I noticed there was squeaky noise when I hold my macbook and pressed the bottom lid. So I brought it to Apple Store and made an exchange. However, the problem still existed. Then I tried to figure it out why.. so I opened up the bottom lid by unscrewing the screws, did nothing, then put screwed it back. NO MORE squeaky noise!!

Hope this helps!!!

I think you got lucky, OP. I tried your method and it didn't work at all.

I think the real cause is just as this guy found (old thread on the apple discussion boards):

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4108642?start=90&tstart=0

After I took those out, it is absolutely silent. No creaking when opening the lid, when moving it on my lap, when moving it from my desk to my bed. I always thought it was the lower case aluminum that was getting bent and causing the squeak; it's actually just those two annoying little plastic tabs that really don't seem to do a whole lot down there!

(They receive the aluminum tabs on the inside of the lower case plate, but it seems they aren't all that necessary.)

 

[brtate2]

yep, TheIguana is correct about it being the grounding pins. They are in my 2009 also, removing them stops the little pin squeaks... but they were put there for a reason so I reinstalled mine.

 

[MBHockey]

yep, TheIguana is correct about it being the grounding pins. They are in my 2009 also, removing them stops the little pin squeaks... but they were put there for a reason so I reinstalled mine.

Ah, that's what they're for. I think i'll take my chances with them out.

Edit: Upon closer inspection, these don't appear to be grounding pins. It's not actually connected to anything that it could ground (IE, something metal.) The black things are plastic hooks that attach to the inside of the case. It looks more structural than anything else.

What makes you think this is for electrical grounding? Usually grounds are attached directly to the motherboard and are not removable.

 

[brand]

Nope, and in theory the SSD's are user replaceable if there was any third party suppliers for them.

Apple does not classify the the SSD's as "User Replaceable". Yes, users can replace them but that does not make them a "User Replaceable" component according to Apple. According to Apple there are no user replaceable components on the MBPr, MBr, or MBA computers.

 

[TheIguana]

Ah, that's what they're for. I think i'll take my chances with them out.

Edit: Upon closer inspection, these don't appear to be grounding pins. It's not actually connected to anything that it could ground (IE, something metal.) The black things are plastic hooks that attach to the inside of the case. It looks more structural than anything else.

What makes you think this is for electrical grounding? Usually grounds are attached directly to the motherboard and are not removable.

Not sure if they are all used for ground, but at least a few of them seem to serve that function. See this iFixIt thread:

https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/139750/Function+of+MBP+logic+board+copper+pins

 

[MBHockey]

those look more like grounding pins to me!

The post with the picture I linked to on the apple discussion boards shows something else.

 

[TheIguana]

those look more like grounding pins to me!

The post with the picture I linked to on the apple discussion boards shows something else.

Ah I see what your talking about now, yeah those plastic bits are I believefor helping hold the bottom panel in place. On the discrete MBP's there were metal pieces that would clip into those parts. The spring loaded grounding pins I'm talking about are all over the board (highlighted in blue).

Edit: Popped open my rMBP 15" and those pieces in red are indeed meant to help attach the bottom panel to the top case. There are small black metal pieces that match up and clip into them on the back panel.

 

[MBHockey]

Right, that's what i was saying. It's not to ground anything. it's structural, and seems not so important.

 

[brtate2]

I think they were dual purpose on the older macbooks such as my 2009 mbp. Instead of all plastic the earlier models have two metal pins on springs that scraped the bottom case driving me nuts until I decided to ignore and live with it. I figured they were for ground, but who knows.
http://6ixpassions.com/post/1095520847/fix-the-ticking-clicking-sound-in-your-macbook-pro

If the more current models are entirely plastic then they are not for grounding. They are probably just spacers as you said and safe to remove if you wanted to.

 

[MBHockey]

I think they were dual purpose on the older macbooks such as my 2009 mbp. Instead of all plastic the earlier models have two metal pins on springs that scraped the bottom case driving me nuts until I decided to ignore and live with it. I figured they were for ground, but who knows.
http://6ixpassions.com/post/1095520847/fix-the-ticking-clicking-sound-in-your-macbook-pro

If the more current models are entirely plastic then they are not for grounding. They are probably just spacers as you said and safe to remove if you wanted to.

Interesting!