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joiedevivre11 · Aug 25, 2006, 09:55 AM

I went through all the steps to change the optical drive on an old 500 MHz iBook G3, but am unable to attach the bottom case. The problem is the two long (20mm) Torx screws near the back of the computer -- each apparently has to insert into something that looks like a gold-colored nut with serrated edges, like gears, otherwise the Torx screws just rotate in place and don't "lock up." I'll attach a picture, but my only digital camera until I borrow one from a friend is my cell phone, so the pic won't be too good. The gold pieces fell out during the disassembly process and I can't figure out where they now go.

Would GREATLY appreciate any help. Let me know if you need more details.

hookem2oo7 · Aug 25, 2006, 10:38 AM

I'm fairly certain going from your pic that the gold piece is the "nut" that is supposed to be pressed into the upper case. look on the bottom side of the upper case for a round hole that the gold thing fits in that lines up with the screwhole. I had the same thing happen to me, and I had to superglue the little gold piece back in so that I could tighten the screw

joiedevivre11 · Aug 25, 2006, 02:23 PM

hookem, where you trying to reattach the BOTTOM case? If the screw entering the bottom case were to attach to the top case it would have to go through the LCD screen, which obviously doesn't make sense.

It also doesn't look like the nuts would fit into the bottom case, as there isn't anywhere on the inside of the bottom case that looks broken, or that is the correct size/shape to hold the gold serrated pieces.

It looks like the screws go through a thick metal framework in the middle of the iBook. Did the "nuts" fit into the other side of that?

P.S. The screws in question are the two at the top of this iFixit diagram (circled in red).

hookem2oo7 · Aug 25, 2006, 02:56 PM

not the upper case as in the lid of the notebook, but the trackpad/keyboard/palmrest surface...Again, it's just an idea, i can't promise you that that's what that little thing is

joiedevivre11 · Aug 25, 2006, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by hookem2oo7

Again, it's just an idea, i can't promise you that that's what that little thing is

hehe, fair enough.

I'll take it apart again and let you know what comes of it. Thanks!

joiedevivre11 · Aug 28, 2006, 08:55 PM

hookem, you were right. I had broken the plastic enclosures for those nuts right off, so am epoxying them back. I'll keep my fingers crossed that this works. Thanks for your help!