MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021) Trackpad and Trackpad Flex Cable
Before You Begin
Warning
Read Battery Safety and follow workspace and battery handling guidelines before you begin.
Remove the following part before you begin:
Tools
Adjustable torque driver (10–34 Ncm)
ESD-safe tweezers
Gap offset kit
Kapton tape
Nylon probe (black stick)
Sticky notes (3 by 3 inches)
Torx T5 bit
Torx T5 screwdriver
Important
This procedure may require a trackpad shim kit, which only comes with a replacement trackpad. It’s not a separate orderable part.
Removal
Open the display to a 90-degree angle. Then place the computer on the edge of the table with the display hanging down.
Use the T5 screwdriver to remove the ten outer T5 screws (923-06953).
Use the T5 screwdriver to remove the three inner T5 screws (923-06954).
Hold the battery cover by the edges. Then lift it off the top case.
Gently peel the trackpad flex cable off the battery.
Lift the computer off the table and allow the trackpad flex cable to pass through the opening in the top case. Leave the trackpad flat on the table to keep the shims in place.
Important
If the shims fall out, they must be reinstalled in their original locations. If you can’t determine the shims’ original locations, replace them. A replacement shim kit is available only with a replacement trackpad.
The replacement shim kit provided may not contain enough round shims to replace all five. Retain the round shims from the removed trackpad for use during reassembly if necessary.
Place the computer on the edge of the table with the display hanging down.
Place the battery cover on the battery. Then press the black tabs into the clips on the top case until you feel a click.
Important: If you’re reinstalling the existing trackpad but the trackpad flex cable is damaged, continue to step 9. If you’re reinstalling the existing trackpad and trackpad flex cable or installing a replacement trackpad, skip to reassembly.
Flip up the locking lever on the trackpad flex cable connector (1). Then slide the end of the trackpad flex cable out of the connector (2).
Reassembly
Important
If you’re reinstalling the existing trackpad but replacing the trackpad flex cable, complete step 1.
If you’re installing replacement trackpad shims, complete reassembly step 2. Otherwise, skip to step 3.
Slide the end of the replacement trackpad flex cable into the connector on the trackpad (1). Then flip down the locking lever (2).
Use ESD-safe tweezers to install replacement trackpad shims. Position four longer shims on the outer screw holes (1). Then position five smaller circular shims on the middle screw holes (2).
Important
A replacement trackpad comes with three sizes of shims (0.200 mm, 0.250 mm, and 0.300 mm). Start with the 0.250 mm shim. Use thinner or thicker shims to adjust alignment in step 14.
If the replacement shim kit does not contain enough round shims to replace all five, reuse the three round center shims from the removed trackpad for this step. If the replacement shim kit contains full quantity, replace all round shims with new shims.
Hold the battery cover by the edges and lift it off the top case.
Ensure that the trackpad lies flat on the table with the trackpad flex cable extended away from you.
Route the trackpad flex cable back through the opening in the top case.
Slowly lower the computer over the trackpad and align the screw holes in the top case with the screw holes in the trackpad. Let the display hang over the table edge.
Lay the trackpad flex cable flat.
Important: Don’t adhere the trackpad flex cable to the battery yet.
Place the battery cover on the battery and press the black tabs into the clips on the top case until you feel a click.
Use the T5 screwdriver to partially reinstall the four outer T5 screws (923-06953) into the outer screw holes to align the trackpad.
Turn over the computer. Insert four gap offsets into the corners of the trackpad. Secure each gap offset with a piece of Kapton tape.
Stand the computer on its side with the display still open. Then use the T5 screwdriver to fully reinstall the four outer T5 screws.
Place the computer right side up. To verify the top of the trackpad is at the correct height, align one sticky note on the trackpad’s top edge. Ensure that the sticky note is flush with the top case.
To verify the bottom of the trackpad is at the correct height, align a stack of two sticky notes on the trackpad’s bottom edge. Ensure that the two sticky notes are flush with the top case.
If the trackpad is at the correct height, continue to step 15. If the trackpad edges are higher or lower than the top case, remove the sticky notes, gap offsets, and Kapton tape. Place the computer on the edge of the table with the display hanging down. Use the T5 screwdriver to remove the four outer side T5 screws and repeat removal steps 2 through 7. Then follow reassembly steps 1 through 13.
Important
If the trackpad is higher than the top case, install the thinner 0.200 mm shims.
If the trackpad is lower than the top case, install the thicker 0.300 mm shims.
Place the computer on the edge of the table with the display hanging down.
Insert the Torx T5 bit into the 10–34 Ncm adjustable torque driver. Set the torque value to 16 Ncm.
Use the adjustable torque driver and T5 bit to partially reinstall the remaining six outer T5 screws (923-06953).
Use the adjustable torque driver and T5 bit to partially reinstall the three inner T5 screws (923-06954).
Use the adjustable torque driver and T5 bit to fully reinstall all 13 screws to 16 Ncm. Turn each screw until the adjustable torque driver clicks.
Hold the battery cover by the edges and lift it off the top case.
Gently press along the trackpad flex cable to adhere it to the battery.
Important: If installing a replacement trackpad flex cable, remove the adhesive backing before adhering the flex cable to the battery.
Place the battery cover on the battery and press the black tabs into the clips on the top case until you feel a click.
Turn over the computer. Then use the flat end of the black stick to lift the gap offsets and Kapton tape off the trackpad.
Reinstall the following part to complete reassembly: