iMac Intel 27" Retina 5k Display AirPort/Bluetooth Card Replacement

With the hinge free to move, the iMac will be unbalanced and hard to work on. Repairs can be completed with the iMac laying down, but are faster and easier with an iMac service wedge.

If you are using the iFixit cardboard service wedge, follow these assembly directions to put it together.

Starting on the left of the display, near the power button, insert the iMac Opening Tool into the gap between the glass panel and the rear case.

Use the tool like a pizza cutter—roll it along through the gap, and it will cut the foam adhesive through the center.

Run the tool up along the left side of the display.

Continue wheeling the tool up around the top left corner.

Cut the adhesive along the top left of the display.

Continue along the top of the display.

Push the tool around the top right corner of the display.

Wheel the tool down along the right side of the display.

Finish pushing the opening tool to the bottom of the right side of the display.

Set the iMac face-up on a table.

Starting from the top right corner of the iMac, insert a plastic card between the display and frame.

Gently twist the plastic card to open the space between the display and frame, and cut any remaining adhesive near the corner.

Slide the card toward the center of the display, to cut any remaining adhesive.

Put the card into the corner again and let it stay there to keep the adhesive from resettling.

Insert a second card into the gap between the display and frame in the top left corner.

Gently twist the card, slightly increasing the space between the display and frame.

Slide the plastic card toward the center, again stopping just before the iSight camera.

Insert the card back into the top left corner.

With the cards inserted as shown near the corners, gently twist the cards to increase the gap between display and case.

If there are any sections that seem to stick and won't separate, stop twisting and use one of the cards to cut the adhesive in the problem area.

Begin to lift the top of the display up from the frame.

While holding the display up with one hand, use the other to unplug the display power cable.

Flip up the metal retaining bracket on the display data cable.

Disconnect the display data cable.

Lift the display up to a near-vertical position.

Remove as much of the adhesive as possible by grabbing it at the outer edges, and then pulling or rolling it towards the middle.

If necessary, a plastic card can be used to cut any remaining sections of the bottom adhesive strip.

Lift the display up from the frame and remove it from the iMac. Lay the display face down on a flat, soft surface.

It may be necessary to slowly lift from one side, to peel against the remaining adhesive.

If there is a wire or cable underneath adhesive tape, always pull the tape off first.

If the cable is glued to the chassis, use a heated iOpener or a hair dryer to soften the adhesive first. You can then slide an opening pick underneath the cable to loosen it. Never pull directly on the delicate connectors.

Slide an opening pick underneath the foam cushion pieces to separate them from the display, and gently pull them off. You may need some double sided tape to re-attach them to the new display.

Remove two 10.0 mm T10 screws.

Gently rock the right speaker slightly to the right, to allow access to its cable's connection on the logic board.

Use a spudger to loosen the right speaker cable's connector from its socket on the logic board.

Pull the connector to the right to remove it from its socket.

Lift the speaker straight up and remove it from the iMac.

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect each of the four antenna connectors from the AirPort/Bluetooth card.

Leftmost

Top

Upper right

Lower right

Remove two 3.7 mm T5 screws securing the AirPort/Bluetooth card to the logic board.

Push the end of the AirPort/Bluetooth Card slightly toward the rear case and pull it straight out of its socket on the logic board.