Spring-type sound on bottom casing?

[shadow82x]

For all tMBP 15" owners, do you hear a spring-type noise if you apply slight pressure to the following area on the bottom casing?

(The old MacBook Pro bottom showed for reference)

I do, it sounds like an un-greased creaky spring going up and down if I press on it.

 

[Pootmatoot]

That's either the casing over your RAM or the heatsink.

 

[shadow82x]

Is it normal? (Ie does it occur on every TMBP in that location?)

 

[shadow82x]

I actually just noticed this occurs all around the back plate. I'm assuming slight creaking/clicking is normal under pressure.

 

[James.K.Polk]

I actually just noticed this occurs all around the back plate. I'm assuming slight creaking/clicking is normal under pressure.

Happens to me for sure. Doesn't mean it's a good thing, but I haven't had any issues at all with my computer.

 

[Pootmatoot]

On previous MBPs, you can develop a squeak if the tension on the screws is off on the back plate.

 

[shadow82x]

I'm pretty sure I had this on my old MBP but I can't verify since I sold it lol. It's just annoying to hear in a quiet room.

 

[FAWKZ]

I'm pretty sure I had this on my old MBP but I can't verify since I sold it lol. It's just annoying to hear in a quiet room.

Hey man, I have a 2017 Tb MBP with the same creaky spring sound on the bottom case. Did you ever get it checked out at the apple store, or find more information on it? Let me know. Thanks in advance!

 

[mcpryon2]

There are two clips holding the case on around that location (bilaterally), and there are two more at the edges. You need a suction cup to get them off if you don't have the elaborate device made by Apple for removing the bottom case. Basically it's held on by being seated into a series of clips along the side with the groove and then it comes down on the other clips to secure it even with no screws in the bottom.

If you have a pentalobe bit you can loosen, or take out, the screws and it might loosen the tension and stop the noise. Don't worry, the bottom case is definitely not going to come off if you take the screws out. But, that said, it's not something to worry about. I noticed it, but when I started taken them apart I realized it's just the mechanism that holds the bottom case on.

 

[MacInTO]

There are two clips holding the case on around that location (bilaterally), and there are two more at the edges. You need a suction cup to get them off if you don't have the elaborate device made by Apple for removing the bottom case. Basically it's held on by being seated into a series of clips along the side with the groove and then it comes down on the other clips to secure it even with no screws in the bottom.

If you have a pentalobe bit you can loosen, or take out, the screws and it might loosen the tension and stop the noise. Don't worry, the bottom case is definitely not going to come off if you take the screws out. But, that said, it's not something to worry about. I noticed it, but when I started taken them apart I realized it's just the mechanism that holds the bottom case on.

There are two clips in the center that are especially important because the bottom case is so big. The two clips secure the center of the bottom panel from flopping around. The clips are glued to the bottom panel and clip into the locations circled. If the clips become loose or break, it can cause movement.

 

[FAWKZ]

There are two clips in the center that are especially important because the bottom case is so big. The two clips secure the center of the bottom panel from flopping around. The clips are glued to the bottom panel and clip into the locations circled. If the clips become loose or break, it can cause movement.

Thanks for the detailed response, that certainly puts my mind at ease. However I'm curious if adjusting or removing the screws would void my warranty or anything.. Not sure it's worth doing myself.

That being said, I don't really want to have to make a Genius Bar appt just to re-adjust the bottom plate.

I guess there is still a possibility that the clips have broken and need to be replaced too. Although it doesn't REALLY affect me, it's still a little annoying for it to make any sounds when being picked up, or moved.

I've tried to re-attach the clips by lightly pressing the bottom case (with a cloth as buffer), with no luck so far.

Thanks again for the reply though, I'm glad to know that it's likely not something too serious.

 

[MacInTO]

Thanks for the detailed response, that certainly puts my mind at ease. However I'm curious if adjusting or removing the screws would void my warranty or anything.. Not sure it's worth doing myself.

That being said, I don't really want to have to make a Genius Bar appt just to re-adjust the bottom plate.

I guess there is still a possibility that the clips have broken and need to be replaced too. Although it doesn't REALLY affect me, it's still a little annoying for it to make any sounds when being picked up, or moved.

I've tried to re-attach the clips by lightly pressing the bottom case (with a cloth as buffer), with no luck so far.

Thanks again for the reply though, I'm glad to know that it's likely not something too serious.

If you have the tools, I think that removing the bottom panel wouldn't void your warranty if Apple did not know you opened the case.

In my experience with the bottom cover is that the clips snap into place and hold the bottom panel in place pretty firmly. Firm enough to hold it in place without any screws and won't move. If the clips aren't secured, the bottom panel won't sit flat and the screws would not be able to be attached. This was with the 2012 and earlier cMBPs. Might be different with 2015 models and later. The 2012 to 2014 Retina models used magnets.

On the image you provided, it looks like the slot is held in place with two screws each. If they are loose, that could also contribute to the problem.

Then again, I could be wrong and it could be something totally different!