MacBook :: Hinge Making Cracking Noise / Lubricating The Hinge?
Sep 8, 2006
I got my Unibody MacBook the first day they were available, and since late December, the hinge has gotten stiffer and stiffer, making a cracking noise when I move it after it stays in one position for a few seconds.
I took it to the Genius Bar (covered under AppleCare) but the people there wouldn't do anything about it, saying it's within normal spec and classifying it as a "user perception issue." (The slightly condescending sound of that phrase is for another post.)
Has anyone attempted to lubricate the hinge in their laptop themselves? I removed all of the bottom paneling and looked at the hinge, but didn't see how to separate it from the case easily. Would it be a bad idea to try to squirt a little silicone lubricant into the hinge to see if that helps the issue? Is there another trick I could try.My mom has a Unibody Pro with a hinge that glides nice and smoothly and it's annoying mine is no longer working properly like this.
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Jun 6, 2009
On my 13" MacBook Pro, the hinge makes a cracking noise on the right side of the computer (near the power button) when the screen is positioned all the way back.The entire hinge also makes a loud popping noise when I adjust the screen position. The screen seems very tight, and it takes a little bit of effort to move the screen, and when the screen is moved it makes the loud popping noise.
This is probably going to make some of you guys cringe, but sometimes putting pressure down on the top of the case close to where the black hinge meets to unibody enclosure seems to stop the popping noises. Putting downwards pressure on the hinge, or flipping the computer over and putting pressure on it that way, also seems to alter how much popping noise there is.
If I mess around a bit with applying pressure on different parts of the computer around the hinge, I can usually eliminate the noise. But, the cracking noise when I put the screen all the way back is still there.Any ideas what to do? It's not interfering with the operation of the computer, it's just incredibly annoying and this is only a four month old machine which shouldn't be creaking and cracking already.
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Apr 4, 2010
Title says it all.. It'll feel like there's a bit of resistance to moving it and when it does it makes a rather loud cracking/creaking noise. After I've just done it, it won't happen again until I leave it sitting in one position for a while. 13" MBP Is it going to break and if it does will apple replace it?
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Jan 16, 2010
My new 13.3" Unibody MacBook Pro has been great up until now. I've had it since September and it's worked without a charm. For some reason, as I went to close the hinge (slowly) today, it made an extremely sharp cracking sound, as if the screen had broken off. I had mini-heart attack on the inside, thinking that the screen of my MacBook Pro had just broken. I quickly opened the screen to see that nothing was damaged. I went to close it again and I went past the point that the cracking noise happened at (it sounds like it gets caught). As I kept closing it, the cracking noise happened about 3 more times. No noises come from it as I open the MacBook Pro, but when I slowly close it, it cracks (really loudly).
I've been closing the lid really quickly now, and no cracking sounds occur when I do that. Do you think it's a loose screw or something like that? Should I take it into an Apple Store to see if they can fix it? This laptop is like my baby. I somewhat temporarily alleviated the issue by pushing a piece of paper through the hinge and out the back of the laptop an pulling it back and forth. The hinge worked well for about 5 times, then started cracking again. Now that I think about it, it might be caused because it's been on for about 11 hours. I've never worked it this hard before. I'll try again after I go to sleep, and see if the problem has gone away. the problem is a little better now. There are still tension points (there are less though), but they don't crack very often as I go past them.
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Jul 10, 2009
Well I brought my white early 2009 MacBook to apple today because it is cracking at the hinge near the speakers. They told me that the cracking isn't under warranty. Is this true or is only the top case covered? I can post a pic soon. It runs the whole length of the inner part of the hinge.
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May 31, 2008
My Macbook Pro is fairly new, and the hinge on both side is already making squeaking noise when I open my screen. It gets a bit annoying, I open it from the center top of the screen, not by the side. Is this a problem that I should be taking to the Apple Store? Or this can be fixed easily?
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Sep 1, 2009
Last night I noticed about 8 little hairline cracks on the bottom side of my unibody hinge when I turned it in the light just right. They are small, but they are definitely cracks in the hinge. I'm rather irritated since the machine is essentially a desktop replacement and has only ever traveled to work with me 10-20 times, if that. The machine is absolutely pristine otherwise. If I make an appointment at the Genius Bar to have this replaced, what can I expect them to replace? Do they have to replace the entire display/clamshell/hinge/lid as one piece? I REALLY don't like the idea of them replacing the whole entire thing because the one I have is great with no bowing and the display is fantastic, and I have a feeling I'll end up with something lesser if I send it off. Also I am worried they will somehow blame it on me since Apple seems to be pretty crappy about warrantying hinge issues...
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Aug 29, 2009
Everything works perfect except this one thing. Was wondering what you guys thought of this problem. Didnt return it because i was hoping that it would go away with wear in. I checked the back, nothing is coming out of place, its just theres a sound when i open the macbook after its been closed for more than 20 minutes.[URL]
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Feb 6, 2010
I just got my new white unibody Macbook in the post today and I have one small problem.
When I open the lid the hinge makes a little click noise every time it goes past the vertical position. It doesn't happen when I close it just open.
The noise is very quiet, it's not loud or anything like that. I'm just curious to see if anyone else has had a problem like this before?
I'm pretty sure it's cause the laptop is new and it will just go away but I just wanted to quickly ask on here but I spend all day putting my data on the machine and settings it up.
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Feb 15, 2007
Build-quality wise the unibodies are really as perfect as I've ever experienced any machine to be. Simply amazing. BUT, the black plastic hinge cover is cheap and creaks as soon as I grab the computer or open the display. I opened her up to see if there was anything I could do to reinforce it or something, but I didn't want to mess with it.
Quite a few seem to have this 'issue' and I thought maybe somebody has figured out a solution?Such a shame on an otherwise perfect machine. I would have preferred the same kind of rubbery plastic that was on the old generation MBP
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Nov 18, 2010
I just got a 13" MBA last week and noticed that the black plastic hinge cover moves a bit and makes noise when I push it lightly.
It also rattles when the fan blows hard. I took it to the Genius Bar but they said that the hinge cover is designed that way.
I checked a few demonstration units and they didn't seem to have the same amount of play. Is this normal?
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Apr 4, 2010
I have a 7 day old Macbook Pro 13" 2.26GHz and sometimes when I open the screen I hear a click noise coming from the right side of the hinge it happens about half way open and some times when I pick it with the screen open it doesn't happen all the time it was doing it about 30 mins.
ago but as I type this its not doing it. Should I take it to the Apple store tomorrow or should I keep an eye on it and see what happens?
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Sep 15, 2006
My problem with my brand-new (three day old) MacBook is not a "creaky" hinge (a problem already posted at [URL]); rather, when the computer has time to warm up, the hinge makes a one-time "CLICK" upon opening the lid (the sound comes from the right corner). This is really annoying me, and I'm worried that the repeated click (which signals something rubbing against something else) will wear down the joints and ruin my computer prematurely.
[Side note: The click is especially loud and offensive when the MacBook is warmed up after half an hour or so; when it's cold and shut down, the click is much quieter. This makes me think that the plastic parts are swelling and expanding a little when the computer is power on. I'm not too comfortable with the idea of the joints wearing down due to normal use. I want this computer to last me 3 years at least!]
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Jun 22, 2010
I see that a few people have an issue with the unibody 13" MBP making a "clicking" noise when the lid is opened. The issue varies from a mild click to a loud click. Usually, once the click occurs, it does not repeat itself until after sometime. This poll is to help determine whether or not it's worth it to get this issue fixed by Apple, specifically if the clicking is not bothersome (read: not too loud).
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Jul 7, 2009
My 17" Macbook Pro was purchased on Feb 24th 2009 via telesales, so it's less than 6 months old. The hinge is very creaky and on the right hand side it makes a loud clicking noise when I open and close it, also the whole screen seems to creak, not just the hinge. The wall charger is in my opinion very loose, it was loose when I got it ( should have changed it then ), but I haven't really moved it that much ( maybe 10 times in the space of 5 months and this is also becoming a concern. I contacted Apple today and they told me I have 1 year of telephone support and 3 years parts and labour as I order though Higher Education.
They told me that I can go to a Apple store or authorized repair centre to have it looked at, but all the stores are 2 hours away. I asked about mail-in repairs and he said that could be set up but they would prefer if I went to a store. The question is, should I send it in and hope they take care of my Mac i.e don't scratch or mark it etc. After reading some stories about repairs, I'm a little concerned about it, and don't like anyone to touch my Laptop. Obviously I would prefer a replacement as I have work to do and I don't want to be without my Mac.
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Jun 13, 2010
When I use my computer, at random times, I hear a popping noise that sounds like it's coming from the plastic hinge without me moving it. I think this has happened on other 13" models I've toyed with, but I can't fully remember. Everything else works great and it doesn't happen super often so I think I'm just going to deal but does anyone else know what's up? I think it might be the heat coming off on the plastic hinge causing a popping noise every once in a while but not sure... computer works great. Also, it's not the sudden motion sensor clicking for sure. I know what that sounds like.
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May 25, 2012
My 13" MacBook Pro (Mid 2011) is making a loud click, or snapping noise whenever the clamshell is closed, or moved a little sometimes. It's becoming very persistant and doesn't seem normal. Most of the time it does make the noise (which is from the back right). I'm taking it in tomorrow under warranty. Any suggestions? Is this normal? The screen also moves smoothly and is always in place. It's all strange and hopefully they can replace the hinge.
Info:
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7)
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Nov 11, 2009
On my 13" MacBook Pro, the hinge makes a cracking noise on the right side of the computer (near the power button) when the screen is positioned all the way back.
The entire hinge also makes a loud popping noise when I adjust the screen position. The screen seems very tight, and it takes a little bit of effort to move the screen, and when the screen is moved it makes the loud popping noise.
This is probably going to make some of you guys cringe, but sometimes putting pressure down on the top of the case close to where the black hinge meets to unibody enclosure seems to stop the popping noises. Putting downwards pressure on the hinge, or flipping the computer over and putting pressure on it that way, also seems to alter how much popping noise there is.
If I mess around a bit with applying pressure on different parts of the computer around the hinge, I can usually eliminate the noise. But, the cracking noise when I put the screen all the way back is still there.
It's not interfering with the operation of the computer, it's just incredibly annoying and this is only a four month old machine which shouldn't be creaking and cracking already.
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Jun 12, 2006
its normal for the lid to be making a plastic cracking noise when closing and opening it? Its like a clicking noise as if it catching on something as its being opened. I didnt notice it at when i first got the unit, but now it seems to be getting progressively worst. Also was wondering, does anyone else find the case flimsy around the ports on the left handside? I can push the plastic in and out with my pinky.
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Sep 4, 2009
my dell monitor keeps making this cracking slash banging noise on the right hand side occasionally and it sounds like soumthing is hitting it or making it crack...anyone else have this problem?
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Sep 27, 2009
Since about the 3rd day after I got my macbook pro the computer has been making cracking sounds when I open it. When it first started it just simply made one clicking sound when the hinge is halfway open. Now however, When it is open it makes cracking sounds that don't stop ( open 15 cracking sounds per open). Is this a serious issue that I need to address with my local (and very mean) genius or is this issue not going to continue to get progressively worse. If this does continue to get worse will the hinge crack open? what is this worst that could happen?
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Aug 5, 2008
After playing with my friend's MacBook, and having a long hard think, I'm definitely of the opinion that the hinge on my MacBook is far too loose. It can still support itself, but I get major wobble upon opening, it even wobbles when I type (not ferociously).
I don't get any sort of resiliance when I try to open or close it, I literally have to be careful as so not to slam it, it's like I'm closing thin air.
It just doesn't feel sturdy enough for a notebook which needs everyday carting around and use.
Also when the MB is closed the top lid (with the screen) slides a bit this way and that over the base. Only a few millimeters, but enough to notice.
The problem is, I'm most likely only going to get one opportunity to get to see an genius.
The MB is covered by AppleCare and so forth, but will the genius open the thing up right there and then and give whatever needs tightening a good tighten?
Have any of you experienced this issue before and was it solved, and if so how? (Time, in-store or send off job, etc etc).
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Oct 24, 2010
I just unboxed this beauty. This is my first mac ever and I love it so far. However one thing I noticed straight out of the box was how loose the hinges are. The screen tilts if I move the macbook air to a 90 degree angle. I've own quite a few laptops but this is the first one with a loose hinge straight out of the box. Is this normal or should I be meeting with a nerd?
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Dec 7, 2010
On another post...I indicated that I bought a MacBook Pro 13 inch laptop loaded up with all the goodies and decided to cancel my order due in part to possibly saving by installing my own SSD and RAM. I did not really mention the main reason that I cancelled my order....
I did not mention that I went to a local Best Buy and checked out the 13 inch MacBook Pro on display. I was kind of shocked to note the amount of wiggle that was present on the display screen of the 13 inch. I read another thread about the screen becoming loose and wobbly on the 13 inch MBP after time.
Does this occur on the 15 and 17 inch models as well?
I have a 3-4 year old 15 inch MBP and the screen is still solid as a rock. I hate to spend dollars on a lesser quality product so I thought I would ask if this screen weakness comes with all of the newer MacBook Pro models.
(I did not check out the 15 or 17 inch models at Best Buy...but I intend to go back and see if they are weak also). I want to buy a 15 inch MBP...so I hope that they are solid as a rock as my older MBP.
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Mar 18, 2009
It appears that the MacBook Air may have a hinge problem.
Mine sure does, exactly as described, see [URL].
Not sure if a lawsuit will fix mine, but if it gets noticed maybe Apple will respond. Anyone else having this problem?
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Jun 26, 2009
So I just got my MacBook Air (rev A) back from AppleCare after my hinge (like many others', apparently) decided to randomly bust itself. I was very pleased that when I took my MBA to the Apple Store, they didn't bat an eye about replacing the hinge (I'd heard horror stories about Apple denying the part was defective and calling the damage a user error, even with computers covered under warranty). But I was shocked when my package arrived today and the letter inside detailed the parts replaced. Keep in mind, the only thing wrong with my computer (as far as I could tell) was a broken hinge. Here's what they replaced:
Antenna window
Video Display Panel
Camera
Bottom Case
Display Housing
Clutch
Clutch (two different part numbers)
Bezel
Top Case
Logic Board
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Mar 28, 2010
I want to take it to an Apple Store but doubt they will help me since my AppleCare ran out.
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Jul 11, 2010
It seems like the hinge has stiffened up since owning it. Sometimes makes a pop noise when moving it from a non-moving position. I would imagine it's the plastic bezel that's kinda loose and snappy if you touch it at the bottom of the hinge but I dunno. Any one else? I can deal I just hope it doesn't cause damage.
I need this machine to be fully working when I go abroad in the Fall.
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Dec 21, 2010
I noticed that my basically mint condition Mid2010 MBP's lid started clicking occasionally when I close it. It seems to happen on the left hinge, and only after the screen has been open for a while. Does anyone know what this is indicative of? I'm assuming that it means the screws on the hinge are either too tight or too lose. Should I attempt to fix it myself? I really do not feel like going to an Apple store to get it repaired if it's something simple like tightening a screw (yes, I know that in order to get to the actual lid, you have to do a lot of other disassembly, I've done it before).
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Dec 24, 2010
I just purchased a new 13 inch macbook air with the 1.86 ghz processor , 2 gb of ram and a 128 gb ssd.
It is currently being delivered to me through UPS but I am worried if this new generation is plagued by the infamous "Hinge issue" that the 2008 model had.
Can anyone comment on the hinge structure of the new model and if it will last at least 3 years without hinge problems ?
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