How to Replace a MacBook Pro A1398 Speaker: The Full Guide

When MacBook Pro A1398 users encounter problems with video or audio communication, the reason for them can be speaker failure. Sometimes it can be solved by software, but there are breakdowns that are difficult to fix and will require a MacBook Pro a1398 speaker replacement with a new one. 

To upgrade and repair Apple-brand devices, it is extremely important to use only original spare parts, which guarantee optimal performance and will not cause new problems due to poor quality or incompatibility.

In this article, we will tell you what you need to replace the speaker and offer step-by-step instructions that will allow even inexperienced MacBook Pro A1398 users to do the job.

For MacBook Pro a1398 speaker replacement, you will need:

• MacBook Pro 15" Retina Speaker (mid 2012-2015)
• Spudger for safe removal of small parts
• Precision tweezers
• Torx T5 and P5 Pentalobe MacBook Pro Retina and Air screwdrivers 

Also: MacBook Pro A1398 2015 Logic Board replacement

12 steps for a MacBook Pro a1398 speaker replacement

You can replace the speaker yourself if you follow the step-by-step guide. Please note that this manual is suitable for the MacBook Pro a1398 only.

1. Removing the back cover

The first step is to remove the back cover to access to the internal parts:

1. Use a P5 screwdriver to remove the 10 screws that secure the cover to the housing.
2. In the area of the hinges, pry up the cover and gently lift it.
3. Remove the cover from the latches and put it aside.

2. Disconnect the battery and the AirPort antenna cable

The first thing to do for a Macbook Pro A1398 speaker replacement, is to peel back the sticker that covers the battery connectors, and then proceed as follows:

1. Lift each side of the battery in the connector alternately with the spudger and pry it out of the socket.
2. Bend the connector so that it does not accidentally make contact with the pins on the motherboard.
3. Use tweezers to pull the AirPort antenna cables out of the socket and bend them upward.

3. Disconnecting the camera cable

To remove the camera cable, first remove the rubber fan cover and bend it to the side. Then follow the below procedure:

1. Use the sharp end of the spudger to push the camera connector out of its socket on the logic board.
2. Carefully remove the camera cables from the fan with your fingers and bend them out of the way.

4. Disconnect I/O board cable

Before removing the I/O board cables, use a T5 screwdriver to remove the four screws, then do the following:

1. Remove the right and left connectors one by one and disconnect them from the motherboard. 
2. Clean the flat cable from the adhesive that secures it to the fan. 
3. Remove the cable.

5. Removing the fans

To remove the battery, first remove the three screws with the T5 screwdriver, and then proceed as follows:

1. Use a spudger to lift the retainer on the ribbon cable connector that connects it to the logic board on the left side.
2. Gently lift the fan towards the near edge of the MacBook to release the cable from the socket.
3. Remove the fan.

Do the same to remove the right fan.

6. Removing the SSD

To remove the SSD, remove one screw, lift up the end of the SSD, and pull it so that it passes over the speaker. When removing the SSD from the motherboard, do not lift it too high to avoid bending and/or damaging the connector.

7. Removing the I/O board

First release the I/O cables from the connector using the flat end of the spudger. Then follow the instructions:

1. Remove the two fixing screws using a T5 screwdriver.
2. Take the board by the edges with two fingers and pull it toward the center of the device.
3. Remove the I/O board and put it aside. 

8. Disconnecting the touchpad cable

First remove the two screws that secure the touchpad cover, and then remove the cover, pry up the connector, and secure the touchpad cable. Take care to pry only the connector and not the socket on the logic board.

9. Disconnecting the six connectors on the motherboard

Remove the rubber cap that covers the screw threads on the heatsink. Next you will need to disconnect the six cables: the microphone display data cable, two speakers cables, the data cable, and the keypad backlight cable.

The procedure is the same for every cable – you need to pry up the connectors with the spudger and carefully remove the cables. Use the flat end of the spatula and make sure to pry up only the connector and not the socket on the motherboard.

10. Removing the logic board

Using the T5 bit remove the six screws holding the logic board to the top case.

Lift up a little and pull the board by moving it away from the side of the MacBook Pro case.

11. Dismantling the old speakers

To remove the old speaker, remove the three screws that secure it to the case. Next, you must detach the cable from the surface of the speaker (the cable is secured by adhesive). To remove the speaker, pull it to the center to get it out from under the aluminum protrusion.

12. Installing the new speakers

To install the new speaker and then reassemble your MacBook Pro A1398, follow the instructions exactly in reverse order. Do everything very carefully, because cables and connectors are very small and fragile, so they are easy to damage.

To ensure that your Apple devices serve long and reliably, buy only original parts for repairs and upgrades. Cheap analogues do not provide quality performance and may conflict with other equipment. 

A wide range of accessories for different MacBook models is available in the AppleParts store. All parts were tested and are on sale in guaranteed working condition and correspond to the characteristics specified by the manufacturer.

Appleparts.io store offers licensed accessories for Apple brand devices at affordable prices. For your convenience, there are two payment options: by bank card or via PayPal payment service. Delivery takes from 1 to 7 days, depending on the distance to the addressee.