stripped screw holding SSD in mid-2011 MacBook Air

[GGD]

gadje wrote:
I don’t know if they make screw extractor bits small enough to fit in a T5, but you can look around for something like this.

Damaged Screw Extractor Kit and Stripped Screw Extractor Set Easily and Quickly Remove Common Sizes of Damaged, Broken or Stripped Screws – Set of 6 Pcs HSS 4341 Material (Gold) https://a.co/d/4KMXECu

I would think just a pair of needle nose pliers grasping the outer edge of the screw head and just try to loosen it a quarter turn, if that can be done, the rest should be easy.

[Racer X]

anonymouse1 wrote:
Torx driver and a wee tiny drop of fast setting superglue? Hold driver in place for a few minute until
Glue sets, or better still, prop it up and let it sit over night.

there is actually a screwdriver grip enhancer that you can put on a screwdriver tip. It increases the coefficient of friction I believe. I was thinking that or maybe like when I weld a beat up wrench to a nut or bolt and sacrafice it to get a fastener off. just a tiny dab of epoxy to fill in between screwdriver and stripped screw head. Let the screw, epoxy and screwdriver become one. I'm sure once the screw makes that little "snap" it comes right out.

[Acer]

Smote wrote:
I'm sure once the screw makes that little "snap" it comes right out.

As a backup, do they make these in Torx or pentalobe?

[andypie48]

You are still going to have a problem with stripped threads in the hole after you get the screw out?

If you find that you do, you may have to get a self-tapping screw a size larger. I can't do details without numbers.

Good luck!

[RAMd®d]

It's good and stripped.


This is the current problem.

So all recommendations regarding the driver used are good for future reference.

You don't recall opening that computer, so there's a good chance you didn't do this damage.

I'm not familiar with the screw in question.

Is it a flathead, countersunk type?

Does it have a raised, rounded head?

It either case, using downward pressure while turning the driver might help, except 'It's good and stripped'.

Screw extractors can work really well, but is there on small enough for the damaged screw?

I don't know that a cyanoacrylate glue would help.

My experience is they don't withstand torsional force well at all, but you can try it, no harm no foul.

I think an epoxy glue would work better, but as with cyanoacrylate glues, apply carefully.

Give it time to cure and try, though it may break off anyway.

If it work,s great, if not you still have other options it didn't rule out.


If it's a countersunk screw and the above has failed I think the only recourse is to drill the head with a very lightly oversized drill.

Done with the utmost care, you can remove the head without damaging the threads.

There may be a risk of metal debris getting wear it shouldn't and causing further damage.

A pair of long nose pliers (not needle nose) may allow a good grip on the remaining big of the screw to remove it.

I've found that needle nose pliers have too much flex in the jaws to provide sufficient grip if the screw is stuck fast, but you might get lucky.


If it's a roundhead screw long nose pliers might work.

The problem is the jaws of the long nose pliers aren't parallel and any contact point of the screw head will tend to slip.

But you may get lucky.

Grinding a slot for a straight tipped screwdriver has worked for me, but you need room to create a slot.

Is there room?

I thought somebody posted a link to a a pair of pliers that had parallel jaws.

If there's room, this might afford the most success in either case.


Should you extract the screw, install the replacement gently.

The threads may be compromised but still allow the screw to be lightly snugged.

Should you find the threads stripped and the screw spins, use a dab of blue Loctite or some removable thread locker.

I'd guess that screw doesn't need a high degree of torque to do it's particular job.

Blue Loctite and the proper fitting screw driver will make an easier closure.

Even a dab of silicone sealer in place of the screw, though less elegant, would probably be sufficient for the life of the 'Book.

Best of luck, however you go, Todd.

[GGD]

RAMd®d wrote:
I'm not familiar with the screw in question.

[Todd's keyboard]

Thanks. I was just about to post a photo of the screw.

I'm now assuming that I did strip it. I was watching the video provided by our sponsor on how to replace the SSD.

second 41 "on the bottom are 10 5-point Torx screws using your Pentalobe screwdriver"
No problem.

1'32" "remove the single Torx T5 screw holding the end in"
I used the same screwdriver for this screw. Big problem.

It looks like it will break free with the careful use of some needle-nose pliers. Just spent an hour looking for my needle nose pliers. This was after spending about an hour yesterday looking for the Torx screwdrivers.

Moved from Vancouver to Victoria last December and have not fully unpacked all of the boxes. There is a lot of resistance to finishing this task, as we don't have space for everything.

I did find a glue gun and soldering iron this morning. Will keep that in mind the next time I open the case. It will be easier to just buy a new needle nose plier.

The other concern is finding a replacement screw. The link Gareth provided (thanks) won't work. That vendor does not ship to Canada.

This is turning into a much larger project than I imagined. The funny thing, I did the exact same swap on my wife's MacBook Air in January. No problem at all.

Thanks again, Todd's (still) old-fashioned keyboard

[GGD]

If you can find that T-5 Torx, it might work just fine. The pentalobe might just be spinning and not grasping anything. My experience with those screw heads are that they're pretty hard and grasp a T-5 very snugly, to the point that the screw won't fall off of the driver once you unscrew it.

[Acer]

Kapton tape might be sufficient to hold the SSD in place until a screw is sourced. Or, maybe the Kapton tape would be sufficient indefinitely. The socket has some grip of its own, no? Tape may be all you need to prevent being jiggled out of position.

[Todd's keyboard]

Yesterday, I purchased a set of needle nose pliers. Also dug around to find some additional screwdrivers.

Today, I opened up the MacBook Air again for another attempt at replacing the SSD. The pliers didn't help. As some of you speculated, I couldn't get a strong enough grip. However, one of the screwdrivers worked just fine.

Swapped out the old SSD for the new. Chronosynch is now transferring data to the new OWC Aura 1 TB SSD. Success!

Thanks again for your feedback and support.

Todd's back-the-saddle-again, Bucky board