MacBook Air (M2, 2022) Trackpad and Trackpad Flex Cable
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)
Gap offset kit
Kapton tape
Nylon probe (black stick)
Torque driver (blue, 0.65 kgf cm)
Torx T3 half-moon bit
Torx T5 bit
Important
This procedure requires a replacement trackpad connector cowling, which is included with a new trackpad.
This procedure may require a trackpad shim kit, which only comes with a replacement trackpad. It’s not a separate orderable part.
Removal
Open the display. Place the computer on the edge of the table with the display hanging down.
Use the black stick to gently peel the trackpad flex cable off the trackpad connector cowling.
Caution: Don’t damage the trackpad flex cable while peeling it off the trackpad connector cowling.
Insert the Torx T3 bit into the blue torque driver. Then use the blue torque driver and Torx T3 bit to remove the two T3 screws (923-07277) from the trackpad connector cowling.
Remove the trackpad connector cowling and set it aside.
Note: If you’re reinstalling the original trackpad, save the cowling for reassembly.
Lift the end of the trackpad flex cable off the connector.
Hold the battery cover by the edges and lift it off the top case.
Use the black stick to gently peel the trackpad flex cable off the top case.
- Caution: The adhesive under the trackpad flex cable is very strong. Don’t damage the flex cable when peeling it from the trackpad.
Place the battery cover on the battery. Then press the black tabs into the clips on the top case until you feel a click.
Insert the Torx T5 bit into the 10-34 Ncm adjustable torque driver. Then use the adjustable torque driver and Torx T5 bit to remove the 10 T5 screws (923-07258) from the trackpad.
Hold the battery cover by the edges. Then lift it off the top case.
Lift the computer off the table (1). Allow the trackpad flex cable to pass through the opening in the top case (2). Leave the trackpad flat on the table to keep the shims in place.
Important: If the shims fall out, they must be reinstalled in their original locations. If you can’t determine the shims’ original locations, replace them. A replacement shim kit is available only with a replacement trackpad.
Place the battery cover on the battery. Then press the black tabs into the clips on the top case until you feel a click.
Important: If the trackpad flex cable is damaged, flip up the locking lever on the flex cable connector (1). Peel the end of the flex cable off the trackpad. Then slide the end of the flex cable out of the connector (2).
Reassembly
Important
If you’re installing a replacement trackpad flex cable on the existing trackpad or on a replacement trackpad, complete reassembly step 1. If you’re installing the existing trackpad and trackpad flex cable with replacement shims, skip to step 2. If you’re installing the existing trackpad and the shims are still in place, skip to reassembly step 3.
Slide the end of the replacement trackpad flex cable into the connector on the trackpad (1). Then flip down the locking lever (2).
Use ESD-safe tweezers to install replacement trackpad shims. Position four rectangular shims on the outer screw holes. Then position two circular shims on the middle screw holes.
Important: A replacement trackpad comes with three sizes of shims (0.075 mm, 0.125 mm, and 0.175 mm). Start with the 0.125 mm shims. Use thinner or thicker shims to adjust alignment in step 12.
Hold the battery cover by the edges and lift it off the top case.
Route the trackpad flex cable back through the trackpad opening in the top case.
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.
Ensure that the trackpad flex cable lies flat against the trackpad. Place the battery cover on the battery and press the black tabs into the clips on the top case until you feel a click.
Hold the trackpad in place as you turn the computer right side up. Insert one gap offset in each of the four corners of the trackpad. Then secure each gap offset with a piece of Kapton tape.
Turn the computer keyboard-side down. Let the display hang over the table edge.
Insert the Torx T5 bit into the 10-34 Ncm adjustable torque driver. Then use the adjustable torque driver and Torx T5 bit to partially reinstall the 10 T5 screws (923-07258) into the trackpad.
Stand the computer on its side with the display still open.
Keep the Torx T5 bit in the 10-34 Ncm adjustable torque driver. Set the torque value to 17.5 Ncm.
Use the adjustable torque driver and Torx T5 bit to fully reinstall the four outer corner T5 screws.
Place the computer right side up. To verify 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 16. If the trackpad edges are higher or lower than the top case, or if the gaps around the trackpad and top case are uneven, remove the sticky notes, gap offsets, and Kapton tape. Place the computer on the edge of the table with the display hanging down. Repeat removal steps 9 through 12. Then follow reassembly steps 2 through 15.
Important
If the trackpad is higher than the top case, install the thinner 0.075 mm shims.
If the trackpad is lower than the top case, install the thicker 0.175 mm shims.
Place the computer on the edge of the table with the display hanging down.
Keep the Torx T5 bit in the 10-34 Ncm adjustable torque driver. Ensure that the torque value is set to 17.5 Ncm.
Use the adjustable torque driver and Torx T5 bit to fully reinstall the six remaining T5 screws into the trackpad.
Hold the battery cover by the edges and lift it off the top case.
Press the trackpad flex cable to adhere it to the trackpad as shown.
Important: If you’re installing a replacement trackpad flex cable, remove the adhesive backing before adhering the flex cable to the trackpad.
Place the battery cover on the battery and press the black tabs into the clips on the top case until you feel a click.
Press the end of the trackpad flex cable to the connector.
Position the trackpad connector cowling.
Note: If you’re installing a replacement trackpad, install the included replacement trackpad connector cowling.
Insert the Torx T3 bit into the blue torque driver. Then use the blue torque driver and Torx T3 bit to reinstall the two T3 screws (923-07277) into the trackpad connector cowling.
Remove the adhesive backing from the top of the trackpad connector cowling. Then press the end of the trackpad flex cable to adhere it to the trackpad connector cowling.
Turn over the computer. Use the flat end of the black stick to lift the gap offsets and Kapton tape off the trackpad.
Reinstall the following part to complete reassembly: