MacBook Air (13-inch, M3, 2024) USB-C Boards

Before You Begin

Warning

Read Battery Safety and follow workspace and battery handling guidelines before you begin.

Remove the following part before you begin:

Tools

  • Adjustable torque driver (10–34 Ncm)

  • ESD-safe tweezers

  • I/O connector cowling tape

  • Nylon probe (black stick)

  • Torque driver (blue, 0.65 kgf cm)

  • Torx Plus 3IP 44 mm half-moon bit

  • Torx Plus 5IP 50 mm bit

  • USB-C charge cable

Refer to a full list of tools required for all repairs.

Note

  • This procedure requires I/O connector cowling tape, which is included with a replacement logic board, but can also be ordered separately.

  • The images in this procedure show the removal and reinstallation of only one USB-C board. However, the procedure is the same for both.

Removal

  1. Use the flat end of the black stick to lift the bottom right edge of the input/output (I/O) connector cowling tape.

  2. Use tweezers to peel the I/O connector cowling tape off the I/O connector cowling.

  3. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to remove the four 3IP screws (923-10367). Remove the cowling and save it for reassembly.

  4. Use the flat end of the black stick to lift the end of the USB-C board flex cable off the connector.

  5. Use the 10–34 Ncm adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to remove the two 5IP screws (923-10376) from the USB-C board.

  6. Hold the end of the USB-C board flex cable. Slide the USB-C board toward the logic board (1). Then lift it up and out of the top case (2).

Reassembly

  1. Tilt down the USB-C board into the top case as shown (1). Ensure that the USB-C board clears the logic board. Then lower the other end of the USB-C board flex cable into the top case (2).

  2. Use the 10–34 Ncm adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to partially reinstall the two 5IP screws (923-10376) into the USB-C board.

  3. Plug one end of the USB-C charge cable into the port to ensure the USB-C board is properly aligned. Adjust the alignment of the USB-C board until the end of the cable is easy to insert and remove.

    • Danger: Ensure that the USB-C charge cable isn’t plugged into power.

  4. Set the torque value on the adjustable torque driver to 11.5 Ncm. Then use the adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to fully reinstall the two 5IP screws into the USB-C board.

  5. Unplug the USB-C charge cable from the port.

  6. Press the end of the USB-C board flex cable to the connector.

  7. Position the I/O connector cowling in the top case.

  8. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to reinstall the four 3IP screws (923-10367) into the I/O connector cowling.

  9. Remove the adhesive backing from the I/O connector cowling tape.

  10. Align the I/O connector cowling tape with the upper right corner of the I/O connector cowling as shown. Then press along the length of the tape to adhere it to the I/O connector cowling.

    • Caution: Ensure that the I/O connector cowling tape doesn’t extend over the edge of the cowling.

  11. Slightly peel back the top left corner of the top adhesive liner. Then slowly roll the liner off the I/O connector cowling tape.

Reinstall the following part to complete reassembly:

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