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MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to swap out your old heat sink for a new one.

What you need

  1. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement, MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the following 10 screws securing the lower case to the Air:

    • Six 2.8 mm Phillips screws.

    • Two 3.8 mm Phillips screws.

    • Two 5.4 mm Phillips screws.

  2. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Slightly lift the lower case near the vents and push it toward the rear of the computer to free the mounting tabs.

  3. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the battery connector by pulling it straight out of its socket.

  4. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the following nine screws securing the battery to the Air:

    • Four 2.9 mm Phillips.

    • Four 3.8 mm Phillips.

    • One 7.2 mm Phillips.

  5. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the battery out of the Air.

  6. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 3 MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 3 MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Disconnect the port hatch ribbon cable from the logic board by pulling it straight up by its black pull tab.

    • Pull the audio out ribbon cable off the adhesive securing it to the upper case.

    • Use a spudger to pry the audio out ribbon cable connector board off the hard drive bracket.

  7. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the audio out cable from its socket on the port hatch ribbon cable.

  9. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Use a spudger to pry the hard drive cable connector up off the logic board.

  10. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Use the sharp end of a spudger to de-route the microphone cable from the hard drive bracket.

    • Remove the cosmetic screw cover from the adhesive securing it to the hard drive bracket.

  11. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the four Phillips screws securing the hard drive assembly to the upper case:

    • Two 4.7 mm screws.

    • Two 3.9 mm screws.

  12. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the hard drive assembly out of the upper case.

  13. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 1

    • Use the tip of a spudger to pull the fan cable connector straight away from its connector on the logic board.

  14. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Use the tip of a spudger to move the cosmetic fan cover aside.

  15. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 2

    • If you have the original version of the MacBook Air (A1237), refer to picture 1. Remove the following screws securing the heat sink to the logic board:

    • One 5.9 mm Phillips screw.

    • Two 1.9 mm Phillips screws.

    • One 1.9 mm Phillips screw.

    • If you have the A1304 version of MacBook Air, refer to picture 2. Remove the following screws securing the heat sink to the logic board:

    • One 5.0 mm Phillips screw

    • Five 1.9 mm Philips screws.

    • One 2.5 mm Phillips screw.

  16. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the processor clamp off the heat sink.

  17. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • Deroute the microphone cable away from the channel in the fan.

  18. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the heat sink up off the logic board.

    • Be mindful of the microphone cable when lifting the heat sink, as it can get tangled on the top edge of the fan.

    • When you mount the heat sink back onto the logic board, be sure to apply a new layer of thermal paste. We have a guide that makes replacing the thermal paste easy.

  19. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 1

    • If you have the A1304 version of MacBook Air, the fan is a separate component. The following steps therefore do not apply to your model.

    • Remove the four 2.5 mm Phillips screws holding the fan on the heat sink.

  20. MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Heat Sink Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the heat sink off the fan.

    • Heatsink remains.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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Member since: 09/24/09

2,562 Guides authored

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