Expanding Battery Fix – 2015 MacBook Pro 15″ LCD & Battery Replacement Guide

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OVERVIEW:

In today’s repair guide, we’ll walk through a full MacBook Pro A1398 battery and LCD replacement. This unit was mailed in with a dangerously swollen battery and a broken display. Both issues required careful disassembly, cleaning, and replacement. The process includes removing swollen battery cells, safely installing a new display, and reassembling the device to ensure it’s fully functional. This is a fairly involved repair but entirely possible with the right tools and patience.

See the official Apple specs for this model for MacBook Pro 15 2015

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REPAIR TIME & SKILL LEVEL:

This repair is estimated to take about 2 to 3 HOURS to complete and is of INTERMEDIATE difficulty, requiring careful handling of delicate components and knowledge of MacBook disassembly.

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STEPS:

Tools You Need

For this repair, you will need a pentalobe screwdriver to remove the bottom case, a T5 and T8 Torx screwdriver for interior screws, tweezers for handling small connectors, isopropyl alcohol to loosen adhesive, a flat-edge pry tool for lifting the battery, a scraper for cleaning adhesive residue, and industrial-grade 3M tape for securing the new battery.

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Remove the Bottom Case

• Begin by removing the remaining pentalobe screws from the bottom panel. Some screws were already removed due to battery swelling.
• Carefully lift off the bottom case to expose the internal components.
• Observe the battery – in this unit, the swelling was so severe that the bottom case wouldn’t close properly.

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Clean the Interior

• Since the unit had never been opened, dust had accumulated significantly.
• Use compressed air or a microfiber cloth to remove dust and debris, ensuring a clean working environment.
• Cleaning helps prevent interference with connectors and ensures better adhesion for new components.

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Disconnect the Battery

• Use tweezers to carefully disconnect the battery connector by lifting it and pulling backward.
• This is essential for safety and prevents power from running through the logic board during disassembly.
• Flip the unit around to better view the battery’s side profile and observe how swollen it is.

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Remove Trackpad Flex Cable

• Use a T5 screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the trackpad flex cable.
• Gently lift and peel back the cable from the board.
• Due to the extreme swelling, it’s safer to disconnect and remove this cable completely.

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Loosen Battery Adhesive

• Apply isopropyl alcohol around the edges of the battery to break down the adhesive.
• Let it sit for at least a minute to ensure it softens the glue beneath the cells.
• This helps reduce prying force and risk of damage.

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Pry and Remove the Battery

• Use a flat-edge pry tool to gently lift one side of the battery.
• Repeat the same process on the other side and then the center section.
• Be cautious not to puncture the swollen cells during removal.

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Remove the Center Board Cover

• Peel off the small cover over the center section of the battery (the daughterboard).
• Remove the two T5 screws, one on each side of the board.
• Once these screws are removed, the battery can be fully lifted out of the case.

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Clean Old Adhesive and Prep New Tape

• Use a scraper to remove leftover adhesive strips from the battery cavity.
• Clean the surface thoroughly to ensure the new battery sits flush and secures properly.
• Apply industrial-grade 3M tape to the cavity to reinforce the battery’s built-in adhesive.

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Install New Battery

• Remove the protective film from the new battery’s adhesive.
• Snap the battery connector into place first before positioning the battery itself.
• Press down firmly across the battery to secure it evenly into the chassis.

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Disconnect Battery Again Before LCD Replacement

• Unplug the battery connector once more to safely perform the LCD replacement.
• This prevents power flow while handling internal cables and sensitive components.

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Remove LCD Hinge Covers & Antenna Cables

• Take off the small rubber hinge covers.
• Disconnect all Wi-Fi antenna cables and note if any are broken or loose.
• Remove the Wi-Fi card by prying it upward and pulling it side-to-side.

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Unscrew LCD Hinges

• Switch to a T8 screwdriver and remove three screws from each hinge.
• Support the screen as you remove these screws to prevent sudden shifts or damage.

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Disconnect Display Cables

• Flick up the retention bar on the main LCD connector and pull the cable out.
• Disconnect the webcam/microphone cable on the logic board.
• All cables should now be free to separate the LCD.

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Remove the Broken LCD

• Open the MacBook slightly – the LCD will lift off cleanly, leaving the logic board in place.
• Set aside the broken LCD and prepare the replacement.

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Prep and Position New LCD

• Before removing the protective cardboard, open the hinges using a screwdriver.
• The cardboard acts as a barrier in case your tool slips and prevents screen damage.
• Once opened, align the new screen’s hinges with the case and slide the cables into position.

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Reconnect LCD and Antenna Cables

• Plug in the microphone and webcam cable first, then position the Wi-Fi antenna cables.
• Reseat the LCD connector and clamp down the retention bracket.
• Tuck the antenna grommets into place over the cables.

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Reinstall Rubber Hinge Covers

• Replace the small rubber grommets over the hinges.
• Though optional, these help ensure proper airflow and prevent overheating issues.

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Reconnect Trackpad Flex Cable

• Plug the flex cable back into the daughterboard.
• Secure it with its two T5 screws, then plug the opposite end into the top case.

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Reassemble and Test

• Place the bottom panel back onto the MacBook and secure it with pentalobe screws.
• Plug in the charger and power the unit on to confirm the battery and LCD are functioning.
• Ensure everything powers up correctly and all connections are secure.

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CONCLUSION:

This MacBook Pro A1398 required both a battery and LCD replacement due to swelling and screen failure. With care, the swollen battery was safely removed and a new one installed. The LCD replacement involved careful disconnection and reconnection of delicate cables. Once reassembled, the device powered up flawlessly. This repair not only restored function but also prevented a potentially hazardous battery situation.

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VIDEO TUTORIAL:

Looking for a more in-depth tutorial? Check out our complete teardown video for a detailed step-by-step walkthrough.

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MAIL-IN REPAIR SERVICE:

We offer professional screen replacement services. If you’re unsure about doing this repair yourself, send your device to our expert technicians for fast and reliable repair.

https://tekdep.com/device-repair/

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SHOP PARTS:

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SHOP TOOLS:

Using precision tools ensures a safe and efficient repair. Always use the right tools to prevent damage to delicate components. From spudgers to torque drivers, having quality tools makes a difference.

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HAVE QUESTIONS?

We’re here to help! Contact us:

• Phone: 818-456-4479
• Email: [email protected]

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