MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Early 2011 Heat Sink Replacement
Replacing the heat sink requires removal of the logic board and application of new thermal paste.
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Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:
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Three 13.5 mm (14.1 mm) Phillips screws.
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Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.
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Use the edge of a spudger to pry the battery connector upwards from its socket on the logic board.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the right fan connector out of its socket on the logic board.
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Carefully lift the logic board assembly from its left side and work it out of the upper case, minding the optical drive cable and the I/O ports that may get caught during removal.
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If necessary, use the flat end of a spudger to separate the microphone from the upper case.
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Pull the I/O port side of the logic board away from the side of the upper case and remove the logic board assembly.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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댓글 13개
Has anyone replaced the paste on the 2 smaller square heat sinks that are over the IO controller and thunderbolt chips?
In case anyone is wondering, you can find k5-pro on Amazon if you need to replace the thick gunk on the other 2 big chips (IO controller and thunderbolt I think). Didn't realize until I was putting the plates back on that there is quite a gap between the chip and the heat sink. Took me days of asking on forums to find out about the K5 stuff. :D
I removed and super clean on my MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Early 2011 I use Arctic MX-4 on both side. Test running with my Apple 27 inch screen it shut down again overheat even both fans are running, I removed bottom cover and small support to let cool air. Start again same problems I disconnect cable thunderbolt from 27” screen bottom not cover now no problem running on 15 “ screen but still felt it less heat then was too hot. Do you think that Heat Sink need Replacement could be the problem ?
Thanks, John
@alpinejwh The heat sink has no moving parts and usually won’t need servicing/replacement as long as the vents are clean and clear of obstruction. If anything, my guess would be an error in the procedure. I’d probably go back and re-check everything and reapply the thermal paste. Make sure you’re following the application instructions for your particular processor type. Make sure the heat sink screws are correctly tightened and none of the springs are missing. Good luck!
This procedure totally worked for me. I did not replace the heat sink just the paste. The machine works well but I realize this problem could crop up again from what I am reading about these particular MacBooks. Thanks Walter!
