MacBook Pro (14-inch PROLED XDR, M5 Pro or M5 Max) Trackpad and Trackpad Flex Cable Reassembly
Repair procedure with reassembly steps.
Before You Begin
Warning
Read Battery Safety and follow workspace and battery handling guidelines before you begin.
Tools
Adjustable torque driver (10–34 Ncm)
ESD-safe tweezers
Gap offset kit
Kapton tape
Nylon probe (black stick)
Sticky notes (3 by 3 inches)
Torx Plus 3IP 25 mm bit
Torx Plus 3IP 44 mm half-moon bit
Torx Plus 5IP 50 mm bit
Note: The tools list includes tools needed for removal and reassembly. Refer to a full list of tools required for all repairs.
Reassembly
Important
If you’re reinstalling the original trackpad but replacing the trackpad flex cable, complete reassembly step 1 and step 2. Then proceed to step 8.
If you’re installing replacement trackpad shims or reinstalling existing shims that fell out, complete reassembly step 3. Otherwise, skip to reassembly step 4.
Slide the end of the replacement trackpad flex cable into the connector on the trackpad. Then flip down the locking lever.
Important: If you’re reinstalling the existing trackpad flex cable, press gently on the adhesive on the trackpad flex cable to adhere it to the trackpad after you flip down the locking lever.
Press the flex cable to adhere it to the trackpad.
Use ESD-safe tweezers to position the trackpad shims. Position four longer shims on the outer screw holes (1). Then position two smaller circular shims on the middle screw holes (2).
Important: A replacement trackpad comes with three thickness sizes of shims (small, medium, and large). Start with the medium shims. Use the small or large shims to adjust the trackpad height in step 27.
Remove the adhesive liner from the flex cable.
Flip up the locking lever on the trackpad.
Slide the trackpad flex cable into the locking lever connector. Then close the locking lever.
Press gently on the adhesive on the trackpad flex cable to adhere it to the trackpad.
Peel the adhesive liner from the underside of the liquid blocking tape on the trackpad flex cable.
Position the liquid blocking tape over the locking lever. Line up the tape inside the rim of the locking lever.
Press the center of the liquid blocking tape to adhere the trackpad flex cable to the connector. Then use the flat end of the black stick to adhere the left, right, and bottom edges of the tape to the trackpad.
Caution: Don’t press the top edge of the liquid blocking tape with the black stick.
Hold the battery cover by the edges and lift it off the top case.
Ensure that the trackpad lies flat on the table with the trackpad flex cable extended away from you.
Important: Ensure the trackpad shims are properly installed on the trackpad before positioning the top case over the trackpad.
Open the display and route the trackpad flex cable back through the opening in the top case. Then slowly lower the computer over the trackpad and align the screw holes in the top case with the screw holes in the trackpad. Let the display hang over the table edge.
Lay the trackpad flex cable flat, but don’t adhere it to the battery. Then place the battery cover on the battery. Press the black tabs into the clips on the top case until you feel a click.
Important: If you’re installing a replacement trackpad flex cable, leave the adhesive liner on the flex cable until you connect the flex cable during the bottom case reassembly steps.
Use the 10–34 Ncm adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to partially reinstall eight 5IP screws (923-15330) into the trackpad.
Important: You will fully install the screws in step 24 and 29.
Press the end of the trackpad flex cable to the connector on the logic board.
Place the computer right side up with the display still open.
Starting with the lower left corner of the trackpad, insert the two tips of one gap offset into the gap between the trackpad and top case. Then gently press the gap offset into place.
Secure the gap offset to the trackpad surface with Kapton tape.
Apply a piece of Kapton tape to the middle of the trackpad. Hold one end of the tape as shown. Press and pull to create a small gap between the trackpad and top case in the upper right corner. Then gently press down and pull the tape toward the lower left corner.
Insert the gap offset into the space made in the upper right corner of the trackpad. Then secure it with Kapton tape.
Repeat step 18 through step 21 to position the two remaining gap offsets in the lower right and upper left corners of the trackpad.
Place the computer on the edge of the table with the display hanging down.
Set the torque value on the adjustable torque driver to 16 Ncm. Use the adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to fully reinstall the four outer 5IP screws (923-15330).
Place the computer right side up. To verify that the top of the trackpad is at the correct height, align one sticky note on the trackpad’s top edge. Ensure that the sticky note is flush with the top case.
To verify that the bottom of the trackpad is at the correct height, align a stack of two sticky notes on the trackpad’s bottom edge. Ensure that the two sticky notes are flush with the top case.
If the trackpad is at the correct height, continue to step 28. If the trackpad edges are higher or lower than the top case, remove the sticky notes, gap offsets, and Kapton tape. Repeat removal steps 1 through 7. Then repeat reassembly step 3, then 13 through 26. Then continue to step 28.
Important
If the trackpad is higher than the top case, install the small shims.
If the trackpad is lower than the top case, install the large shims.
Close the display and place the computer on the table display side down with the hinges closest to you.
Ensure that the torque value of the adjustable torque driver is still set to 16 Ncm. Use the adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to fully reinstall four 5IP screws (923-15330).
Ensure that the torque value of the adjustable torque driver is still set to 16 Ncm. Use the adjustable torque driver and Torx Plus 3IP 25 mm bit to fully reinstall the two 3IP screws (923-16168).
Turn over the computer and open the display. Peel the Kapton tape off the trackpad. Then remove the four gap offsets.
Ensure that the gaps on all four edges are uniform.
Hold the battery cover by the edges and lift it off the top case.
Align the trackpad flex cable with the battery management unit (BMU) board and press and hold in the area shown for 30 seconds to adhere the flex cable to the BMU board. Then disconnect the trackpad flex cable.
Reinstall the battery cover.
Reinstall the following part to complete reassembly: