How do you remove those pesky broken rivets from a MacBook Air keyboard?
July 16, 2015 4:52 PM Subscribe
I took apart my MacBook Air to replace the keyboard. When I pulled the old keyboard off a lot of the rivets broke off and stayed behind, stuck in the little holes. So how do I remove them? I've tried a Phillips screwdriver, tweezers even but it doesn't work. Right now my computer is in 100 pieces with deadlines looming. Any ideas would be appreciated from those brave souls who have tried this and succeeded!
This is an 11" 2011. Online videos all say the broken rivets need to be removed for the keyboard to sit properly. Otherwise you can't screw it down. Thank you for not telling me I should've just taken it to a shop :)
This is an 11" 2011. Online videos all say the broken rivets need to be removed for the keyboard to sit properly. Otherwise you can't screw it down. Thank you for not telling me I should've just taken it to a shop :)
Seconding upper case replacement. God I HATE removing the keyboard on these.
If I super didn't care about looks, I'd just dremel or drill them out and sand the other face letting the holes be.
The keyboard attachment is the weak point of this otherwise good design. I hate them for not using screws everywhere there's a damn rivet.
posted by emptythought at 6:26 PM on July 16, 2015
If I super didn't care about looks, I'd just dremel or drill them out and sand the other face letting the holes be.
The keyboard attachment is the weak point of this otherwise good design. I hate them for not using screws everywhere there's a damn rivet.
posted by emptythought at 6:26 PM on July 16, 2015
What about something sticky or malleable? I'm thinking like a silly putty? Or maybe even tape? Maybe one of those roller tape things that you use to get hair off your clothes? Am I picturing the situation correctly?
posted by amanda at 9:46 PM on July 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by amanda at 9:46 PM on July 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Hm. Reading the iFixit thread, seems like I am on the wrong track. What a jerk design! Good luck.
posted by amanda at 9:52 PM on July 16, 2015
posted by amanda at 9:52 PM on July 16, 2015
Best answer: I wonder if you could use something like nail clippers with gentle pressure to pull the head of the rivet? I found this video which may help.
I worked as an Apple hardware repair tech for a while. We never did keyboard replacements, just topcase replacements.
posted by gregr at 10:03 PM on July 16, 2015
I worked as an Apple hardware repair tech for a while. We never did keyboard replacements, just topcase replacements.
posted by gregr at 10:03 PM on July 16, 2015
You can't replace just the keyboard. Its the entire Top Case assembly.
posted by Mac-Expert at 10:15 PM on July 16, 2015
posted by Mac-Expert at 10:15 PM on July 16, 2015
Are they tight in their little holes or loose? Ifthey are in there tight, it might be very difficult.
You could try using alginate (that silicone stuff dentists use to get a mould of your teeth; it is freely availble for purchase) and hope that the rivets stick in it.
If you turn your laptop upside down and give it a gentle whack, do they move?
posted by Fallbala at 1:07 AM on July 17, 2015
You could try using alginate (that silicone stuff dentists use to get a mould of your teeth; it is freely availble for purchase) and hope that the rivets stick in it.
If you turn your laptop upside down and give it a gentle whack, do they move?
posted by Fallbala at 1:07 AM on July 17, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks everyone for your responses. I was able to replace just the keyboard. It definitely is possible. It just took a while. I'm not a techie, have never opened up electronics much less a computer! but since it's so expensive to do and the video on YouTube made it look straightforward I thought I'd give it a shot. I agree riveting down the keyboard, something that commonly needs to be replaced, is pretty uncool of Apple. Just as their power chords that last a few months before tearing apart. They're funding Apple repair shops and building in replacement purchases. American capitalism. So I'm glad there's a hack for this. In fact it's totally doable and I'd do it again. It would take me a fraction of the time, now that I know the pitfalls. Only cost me $40. Cost of tools and keyboard on eBay. I had to use a hammer and small screwdriver to knock out the rivets. I used a drill to create little holes. I learned you're suppose to be more careful about catching more rivets when you pull it up. Not all are necessary either. New keyboard works great. Apple though has lost some of my loyalty. Thanks again everyone!
posted by lillian.elmtree at 8:04 AM on July 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by lillian.elmtree at 8:04 AM on July 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Protip: The power adapters have a 1yr warranty if you buy the adapter alone. SAVE THE RECEIPT!
If you buy a laptop with a power adapter, and you get AppleCare the power adapter is covered for the duration of AppleCare.
posted by gregr at 6:58 PM on July 17, 2015
If you buy a laptop with a power adapter, and you get AppleCare the power adapter is covered for the duration of AppleCare.
posted by gregr at 6:58 PM on July 17, 2015
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It's much easier to just replace the entire upper case; if you get completely stuck you might need to just buy one and start over.
posted by bcwinters at 5:56 PM on July 16, 2015