[RobL]

Happened about a year ago from a three foot drop. I never expected applecare to cover it, so never bothered with making a claim. Mainly because other than the latch it functions perfectly.

Now though, I planning to keep it around for at least another two to three years or pass down to the kids. Should I send it in anyway and pay, or should I try to take it apart myself. -Two years of applecare remaining.

Another thing I worry about; what if something new goes wrong at this point and they point at the drop as the cause.

[buzzedtop]

I repaired my latch myself. My latch bent and then I broke it trying to straighten it out. I think I paid about $60 for the part (ouch) and opened up the iBook myself to replace it.

The procedure is difficult. I would not want to do it again. If you can find someone who will do with for a decent price, I'd say it is worth the money to just have someone else do it.

I've peformed the harddrive upgrade in my iBook and compared to that, I'd say the latch was more difficult.