Screw too tight in MBP

Gall1987 · 14 Oct 2011 at 19:52

Hi

I'm after some advice as I am not sure where I'd stand on this. I'm trying to upgrade the RAM in my MacBook Pro, but there is one screw that is too tight to be removed. I have ensured that I'm using the correct size screwdriver but I don't want to try further as the screw is starting to cross thread.

I have AppleCare and I have spoken to them. They were quite frankly useless and just suggested that I take it in to an Apple store, although I'll void the warranty if I open it so they couldn't help me further.

Has anybody had this problem or suggest what I should do?

Thanks for any advice.

meghatronic · 14 Oct 2011 at 20:19

If thw screw is cross-threading, you probably do have the wrong size screwdriver.

Also, upgrading Ram doesn't void warranty.

Gall1987 · 14 Oct 2011 at 20:21

meghatronic said:
If thw screw is cross-threading, you probably do have the wrong size screwdriver.

Also, upgrading Ram doesn't void warranty.

The screwdriver is the right size as I've managed to get all the others out with no problems at all. It just seems far too tight and won't budge at all.

I've made an appointment to take it in to Apple so hopefully they'll sort it.

dav3evans · 14 Oct 2011 at 22:21

I think some might kick up a fuss if its one of the unibody models. But they should be able to sort it for you either way, even if they just remove the screw for you.

Gall1987 · 14 Oct 2011 at 22:25

dav3evans said:
I think some might kick up a fuss if its one of the unibody models. But they should be able to sort it for you either way, even if they just remove the screw for you.

It's not (thankfully), it's one of the small ones that slot in to the corner. I've had a quick Google search and it seems as though they've had quite a few problems with the screws cross-threading easily.

Hopefully they'll fix it for me as I've only had it a few weeks, so it's slightly annoying!

One · 14 Oct 2011 at 22:28

When you say cross-threading, i assmume you mean your are scraping the cross shape into a circle? Cross-threading is when you screw it back in at an angle and create a new thread. All i can suggest is you often need to apply more force into the screw than you do anti-clockwise to stop it slipping.

Gall1987 · 14 Oct 2011 at 22:33

desires said:
When you say cross-threading, i assmume you mean your are scraping the cross shape into a circle? Cross-threading is when you screw it back in at an angle and create a new thread. All i can suggest is you often need to apply more force into the screw than you do anti-clockwise.

Yeah, I mean that the screw head is getting in a circle shape instead of the cross shape. It's not too bad but it's not the same as the screws that came out easily so I've not gone any further.

Judging by what people have said on Google it should be quite easy to sort and Apple are generally quite good so we'll so.

I didn't think a screw could cause so many issues!

dav3evans · 14 Oct 2011 at 22:34

No need now if he has an appointment made. If they carry on trying to do it at Apple and cause damage at least he won't be charged for them needing to drill the screw out of the laptop =]

Gall1987 · 14 Oct 2011 at 22:35

dav3evans said:
No need now if he has an appointment made. If they carry on trying to do it at Apple and cause damage at least he won't be charged for them needing to drill the screw out of the laptop =]

Does anybody idea how much they'd charge? I take it they'd do it there and then or will it need to be sent off?

dav3evans · 14 Oct 2011 at 22:43

As far as I know they wouldn't charge for the appointment..but I guess you're on about drilling it out, in which case it will depend on their general costings but as a guide the place I work for charge £25+VAT per half hour labour.

I think the only thing I would be concerned with is that they would try to charge you because of the screw head being scraped away. Does it still look like it'd be useable if it wasn't so tight?

Gall1987 · 14 Oct 2011 at 22:46

dav3evans said:
As far as I know they wouldn't charge for the appointment..but I guess you're on about drilling it out, in which case it will depend on their general costings but as a guide the place I work for charge £25+VAT per half hour labour.

I think the only thing I would be concerned with is that they would try to charge you because of the screw head being scraped away. Does it still look like it'd be useable if it wasn't so tight?

Possibly, but they shouldn't of screwed it in so tight to begin with. I'll make sure I ask them about the price before they do any work. I can't imagine a new screw would cost more than a few pence.

It's quite frustrating, it was supposed to be a 5 minute job to change the RAM.

moogle · 14 Oct 2011 at 22:48

desires said:
When you say cross-threading, i assmume you mean your are scraping the cross shape into a circle?

I think the word you're looking for is a "stripped screw". Ie damaging the head of the screw.

Gall1987 · 14 Oct 2011 at 22:50

moogle said:
I think the word you're looking for is a "stripped screw". Ie damaging the head of the screw.

That'd be the one.

One · 14 Oct 2011 at 22:51

moogle said:
I think the word you're looking for is a "stripped screw". Ie damaging the head of the screw.

I'm not looking for the word, the OP is, i just know it's not called cross threading lol.

dav3evans · 14 Oct 2011 at 23:03

Gall1987 said:
Possibly, but they shouldn't of screwed it in so tight to begin with. I'll make sure I ask them about the price before they do any work. I can't imagine a new screw would cost more than a few pence.

It's quite frustrating, it was supposed to be a 5 minute job to change the RAM.

Always the way. I doubt they'd charge you for the screw, worst case is it on of a few? if so just leave it, find some online and replace it yourself.

The only thing I meant was charge for the actual work. They wouldn't/shouldn't charge you for a diagnosis in warranty, but yeah on the off chance you get someone a little heavy handed and they try to charge you later if it needs to be removed by drilling etc... take a pic as it is now to show it would still function and its the "Genius" that completely knackered it.

I know it sounds a little like scare mongering, but better to be safe than sorry ofc =]

Gall1987 · 14 Oct 2011 at 23:14

dav3evans said:
Always the way. I doubt they'd charge you for the screw, worst case is it on of a few? if so just leave it, find some online and replace it yourself.

The only thing I meant was charge for the actual work. They wouldn't/shouldn't charge you for a diagnosis in warranty, but yeah on the off chance you get someone a little heavy handed and they try to charge you later if it needs to be removed by drilling etc... take a pic as it is now to show it would still function and its the "Genius" that completely knackered it.

I know it sounds a little like scare mongering, but better to be safe than sorry ofc =]

Good idea, I'll do that.

moogle · 14 Oct 2011 at 23:55

desires said:
I'm not looking for the word, the OP is, i just know it's not called cross threading lol.

Yeah I should have phrased it better, but we all know the correct way now

BTW OP if you decide to try and remove the screw yourself, before you try drilling perhaps try putting some jbweld or metal putty in the hollowed out screw head and then poke it with your screwdriver to make an imprint before it hardens then try unscrewing it once it has hardened. I've done this once but it was on a bigger screw than what I imagine the one you're talking about is. Just an idea.

uniQ · 15 Oct 2011 at 09:56

They won't charge you if its under warranty. The RAM and HDD are user serviceable and require the back to be taken of to get too.

Its not uncommon people reporting one screw that refuses to come out so jus take it in and they will swap it out for you. If you're feeling cheeky take the RAM with you and ask the genius if he will do it at the same time.