MacBook Pro (14-inch, Nov 2023) 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) (923-02995)
ESD-safe tweezers
Gap offset kit (923-02998)
Kapton tape (922-1731)
Nylon probe (black stick) (922-5065)
Sticky notes (3 by 3 inches)
Torx Plus 5IP 50 mm bit (923-08673)
Refer to a full list of tools required for all repairs.
Important: 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 to a 90-degree angle. Place the computer on the edge of the table with the display hanging down.
Use the 10–34 Ncm adjustable torque driver and Torx Plus 5IP bit to remove the ten 5IP screws (923-06941) from the trackpad.
Hold the battery cover by the edges and lift it off the top case.
Gently peel the trackpad flex cable off the battery.
Lift the computer off the table and allow the trackpad flex cable to pass through the opening in the top case. Leave the trackpad flat on the table to keep the shims in place.
Important: If 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.
Close the display and place the computer on the table display-side down.
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 you’re reinstalling the existing trackpad but the trackpad flex cable is damaged, continue to step 8. If you’re reinstalling the existing trackpad and trackpad flex cable or you’re installing a replacement trackpad, skip to reassembly.
Flip up the locking lever on the trackpad flex cable connector (1). Then slide the end of the trackpad flex cable out of the connector (2).
Reassembly
Important:
If you’re reinstalling the original trackpad but replacing the trackpad flex cable, complete reassembly step 1.
If you’re installing replacement trackpad shims or reinstalling existing shims that fell out, complete reassembly step 2. Otherwise, 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 position the trackpad shims. Position four longer shims on the outer screw holes. Then position two smaller circular shims on the middle screw holes.
Important: A replacement trackpad comes with three thickness sizes of shims (small, medium, and large). Start with the medium shims. Use the small or larger shims to adjust the trackpad height in steps 16 and 17.
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 that the trackpad shims are positioned on the trackpad.
Open the display. Route the trackpad flex cable back through the 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.
Lay the trackpad flex cable flat, but don't adhere it to the battery.
Important: If you're installing a replacement trackpad flex cable, leave the adhesive backing on the flex cable until you connect the flex cable during the bottom case reassembly steps.
Place the battery cover on the battery and press the black tabs into the clips on the top case until you feel a click.
Use the adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to partially reinstall the 10 5IP screws (923-06941) into the trackpad.
Place the computer right side up.
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.
Apply a piece of Kapton tape to the middle of the trackpad (1). Hold one end of the tape as shown. Then press and pull (2) to create a small gap between the trackpad and top case in the upper right corner (3).
Repeat step 11 to position the second gap offset into the upper right corner of the trackpad. Then continue to step 14.
Repeat steps 11 and 12 to position the two remaining gap offsets in the lower right and upper left corners of the trackpad.
Secure each gap offset to the trackpad with a piece of Kapton tape.
Place the computer on the edge of the table with the display hanging down.
Set the torque value on the 10–34 Ncm adjustable torque driver to 16 Ncm. Use the adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to fully reinstall the four outer 5IP screws.
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 21. 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 steps 2 through 20.
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 battery 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 the 10 5IP screws.
Turn over the computer and open the display. Then 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: