Amazing, got exactly the same problem today on my late 2012 model after nearly 8 years.... crack and the damn screen tilted down. Really helpful explanation, thanks..... but no way I'm opening up the machine up for this, too intricate and I'm likely to do some more damage, so I came up with a plastic clothes peg fix instead! Wedged the peg open ends apart with a small piece of cut wood dowel, taped it to hold it in place, added some small sticky backed cut offs from rubber chair feet protectors to the leg open ends on the outside to get some grip, then placed the peg nose up in between the back of the sceen body and the stand right at the top. Taped it into place with some clear scotch tape and hey presto it keeps the screen tilted. Elegant?.... hell no... but it works and it's at the back so you'll soon forget it's even there. Adjust the dowel length to get the perfect angle and you're done.... good enough to keep your machine working.... costs nothing!
Thanks for the vid. Nice fix. Had this happen for me too. 27' iMac late 2013. I had "Mac Net", the only authorized service center here on Maui, do the diagnosis and repair which cost $147.81 for parts and labor. I had also communicated with Apple about the issue and unfortunately it was barely outside of the warranty period so no coverage. No AppleCare. Eventually, I received an email from Apple pertaining to the fact that they now acknowledge this as a "design flaw" and would reimburse me for the expenses to repair. They since have done so via a direct deposit to my checking account. This experience was unfortunate and quite the letdown in regards to craftsmanship, but least they paid me back.
Thank you for such a great video,I have just bought an old iMac and thought there was something wrong.I will forward this link to the seller....then next time he fixes an iMac he can do it properly.
Great video. I contacted apple in Australia yesterday and they are not doing this repair anymore as part of their recall program. It was for a Late 2013 27" imac
My thumbs were still sore two weeks after doing the repair from trying to push down on the washer against the spring. I just could not do it with the hinge still in the machine. So, I just took it out - the set of nine screws. That reduced the amount of spring travel needed to get the screw in.
This happen to my iMac Late 2013 25 month after I purchased it. It was out of warranty to get it fixed. I ended up using a make shift piece tied tp the power cord to hold the display up. Might use this fix when I open up the iMac to replace the hard drive.
I'm about to replace the hard disk, so I'm glad for your solution. It's perfect and I'll do it this weekend and I've got those "L" brackets in the garage. However, gratuitous statements about Apple doing this deliberately are utter nonsense. When my iMac (2012) had this problem (2016), Apple offered to fix it, for free long after end-of-warranty. But it would take days to do so and I needed the iMac. I asked them to simply send me the part and of course they refused. Apple make good, durable products. I know: I have lots. My 2007 iMac sold for near $1k in 2012. It was still going strong. I have lots of other Apple products and they are very durable and well designed. Yes, the stand flaw in the iMac 2012 is tragically dumb - even Apple do that from time to time. But it's not to "force" people to buy more iMacs. In the interim I simply put a wedge in the back...
you could just get one bigger piece to be fixed in two screws, it would have been stronger. you left one is already risen up from the tension, i think if it would be one piece from left to right, it would be stronger.
Could the two sets of three screws on either side of the assembly you are repairing be removed, thus clearing the way for a VESA Arm Desk Mount to be screwed right into the back panel chassis?
Mine has just gone on a 2013 IMAC 27", had a champagne cork on desk that when wedged between screen and stand at correct height (giving the screen tilt you require) seems to work fine!! Please note less costly wedge options are available!!
Please would it be possible to share the dimensions of the bracket and the wholes in it ? This would help a lot when somebody wants to prep this bracket before the actual disassembly. Thanks for sharing this video and idea of a fix. Helped me a lot already (gonna fix mine this weekend).
Today I fixed my stand. For those who are interested in the parameters I asked above: screws are 20mm apart, holes are 5mm in size. I used bracket 35 x 10 mm. Holes on the bracket were not vertically aligned, bottom edge was roughly 2mm below holes. Using this bracket I had some space to move around so I had no problem centering it. After this experience though I must say single washer per screw is better approach. It's definitely easier to install and I don't think there's any benefit from using single bracket.
Yes, You can get replacement hinge for $30-$60, but you will have the same problem 2-5 years down the line.... Do the fix like I did and replace those plastic clips with metal like I did and it will never fail!..
great video to show people and make them aware of this shitty business. you have a 2000 + worth computer with 2 plastic rings holding the shit together, i can't believe this. big up for the solution!
Hello! I've had the same issue recently... The screw holding the broken washer in my iMac was half way unscrewed - the whole hinge mechanism is a complete designers' fail I must say! Original plastic washers have a complex design (variable thickness, flanges to prevent the spring from sliding off). In rough it can be described as round, 10 mm in the outer diameter, 5 mm in the inner diameter, whilst on one side the washer has a square appendix holding the spring (the one that breaks off and for some curious reason is the thinnest part of it, less than 1 mm thick!!!). The appendix itself is 6 mm long measured from the center of the hole. The two black screws fixing the washers are 3 mm thick in the thread, the distance between them is 2 cm. So it seems to me that a 12mm (in diameter) round metal washer would fit there just right, but make sure that the inner hole of the new metal washer can hold it tight and prevent from dangling. Hope this helps.
+360mix Thanks a lot! I will try iFixit's pizza cutter. My iMac's 27"'s hinge died as well. Got an entirely new hinge. Probably can't get those kind of washer or plate in my area.
hi bro, please i did do all what you said but my 27inch imac now stays in one position facing up, so whats the trick to make it adjustable as before to any position i want? thank you
THANKS A MILL BRO, U ARE REAL A GENIUS AND FOR REAL "U REALLY LOOKED THE WAY PASS APPLE" CRAZY THIEVES APPLE... I HAIL U BRO.. THANKS AGAIN, U SAVED ME FROM COST THAT I WOULD HAVE PAID FOR OPENING AND FIXING THIS BY TECHNICIANS OR BUYING A NEW HINGE OR NEW IMAC.. LOVE YA BRO... PEACE AND ONE LOVE!!!
Great tute/hack, bro! Gonna give this a go. And love dropping some truth bombs about Apple these days! Anything I need to be careful of taking off the screen etc?
Thanks for the info. I heard a pop about three hours ago, and said, "What the fuck was that?" I went to push the screen up a bit ten minutes ago, and lo and behold... It's not the end of the world, but fucking annoying. Completely designed to fail. I moved it a little once every couple of weeks. Oh, well, at least it's not running windows :D
So it breaks after a couple of years and you need to buy a new computer... (apple can only make money if you replace your computer every a few years!!)
+NickC75 Yes you will need to the Fan, Logic board and power supply to gain access to the hindge... I personally don't think this is a flaw its a design so that the imac break after a couple of years and you are forced to replace the computer with a new one...
I surmise, the reason Apple put the plastic, instead of metal might have to do with static charge build up while the screen angle is adjusted. Imagine having to swivel your screen many times during a week, during which friction is created between the spring strip and plastic restrainer, which in turn causes the screen to stay in an angle you choose. What you do not want is for this friction to create static electricity, which in turn can be a source of fire hazard inside the iMac, which is laden with too much and too many electrical components. I doubt if Apple deployed the plastic restrainer deliberately so that it would fail in a year or two so that the consumer can buy another iMac. The ideal solution is for the video poster to use a more durable plastic strip instead of metal. Prevention is Better Than Cure. Nonetheless, koodos to the poster for discovering the problem and proposing a solution.
Apologies, but your statement above is packed with incorrect assumptions and felt that I should comment to make sure people are not misinformed. 1) Static cannot be a problem inside the iMac since the metal case is grounded and so the static will be instantly earthed. 2) Metal rubbing on plastic would in any event create static. Metal on metal wouldn't (at least not measurably) so replacing the plastic parts with metal ones would be "safer" given your worries about static build-up. (Which wouldn't happen anyway - see point (1)). 3) Static would not be "a source of fire hazard inside the iMac, which is laden with too much and too many electrical components" since: (a) Static would kill the electronics or cause it to fail in time, not ignite. (b) The number of electrical components is small compared to, say, a Jumbo Jet and they tend not to spontaneously burst into flames. (c) No static can get onto the internal circuitry since IT IS IN AN EARTHED CHASSIS. (See point (1) again!) 4) The ideal solution is to use a METAL strip, NOT plastic unless you want the whole thing to fail again in a year or so. 5) Prevention is better than cure -- Apple ought not to have used plastic retainers. I know. My iMac just went "crack" and now has a droopy screen. 6) I'm fortunate in two ways - firstly I'm an electronics engineer and computer consultant, so I know what's right and what's bull plop. Secondly, I bought a set of iMac disassembly tools recently so that I could open the iMac and replace the hard drive with an SSD. Now I can sort both things out with one screen removal.
I agree 100% with you about the static.... Not Sure why ManjaroJam thought this would be the case... Hope you get your mac fixed... be patience when we moving the screen... take breaks while doing it..... I removed the screen in 3 successions.. took a break after each side....
Thanks for the advice - this WILL be probably the slowest disassembly I'll ever do! The thought of cracking my screen is too much to bear. I was so focused on addressing the issues with ManjaroJam's post, that I forgot to say a big thanks for posting your video! Taking the time to show the issue with the hinge and how to repair it was a real help as I could at least see what the problem was before I open the machine up. It helped me sleep better the night that it happened :) It's a crazy design - I agree with you that it's so obviously dumb that it must be 'by design' by Apple. I hear that Apple are repairing this outside warranty (maybe they shot themselves in the foot?) but I'll go for a metal repair rather than have them replace the broken parts with new plastic parts.
Amazing, got exactly the same problem today on my late 2012 model after nearly 8 years.... crack and the damn screen tilted down.
Really helpful explanation, thanks..... but no way I'm opening up the machine up for this, too intricate and I'm likely to do some more damage, so I came up with a plastic clothes peg fix instead!
Wedged the peg open ends apart with a small piece of cut wood dowel, taped it to hold it in place, added some small sticky backed cut offs from rubber chair feet protectors to the leg open ends on the outside to get some grip, then placed the peg nose up in between the back of the sceen body and the stand right at the top. Taped it into place with some clear scotch tape and hey presto it keeps the screen tilted.
Elegant?.... hell no... but it works and it's at the back so you'll soon forget it's even there. Adjust the dowel length to get the perfect angle and you're done.... good enough to keep your machine working.... costs nothing!
Thanks for the vid. Nice fix. Had this happen for me too. 27' iMac late 2013. I had "Mac Net", the only authorized service center here on Maui, do the diagnosis and repair which cost $147.81 for parts and labor. I had also communicated with Apple about the issue and unfortunately it was barely outside of the warranty period so no coverage. No AppleCare. Eventually, I received an email from Apple pertaining to the fact that they now acknowledge this as a "design flaw" and would reimburse me for the expenses to repair. They since have done so via a direct deposit to my checking account. This experience was unfortunate and quite the letdown in regards to craftsmanship, but least they paid me back.
Thank you for such a great video,I have just bought an old iMac and thought there was something wrong.I will forward this link to the seller....then next time he fixes an iMac he can do it properly.
Thanks was looking for a video about this problem. Yesterday out of nothing mine broke as well. Nice to see a solution! 👍🏻
What is the Distance between the 2 screw holes?if i need to use 1 large metal bracket ? thank you
I just uploaded a video showing how to fix the loose hinge that will cost you nothing and you dont have to take it apart. Thanks for your version!
Damn, if I have to take apart the iMac just to fix the hinge, I be pro if I can put it back together again. Great video. Thank you!!!
Saw your link in EEVBlog's comment section just now. You're right in my opinion it's designed to fail.
i found this when my I mac broken, thanks million for this, it is unbelievable what this company is doing :D
Great video. I contacted apple in Australia yesterday and they are not doing this repair anymore as part of their recall program. It was for a Late 2013 27" imac
Unfortunately not here in the US either anymore.
My thumbs were still sore two weeks after doing the repair from trying to push down on the washer against the spring. I just could not do it with the hinge still in the machine. So, I just took it out - the set of nine screws. That reduced the amount of spring travel needed to get the screw in.
Thanks for the video. This helped me with my 27" iMac which broke yday
This happen to my iMac Late 2013 25 month after I purchased it. It was out of warranty to get it fixed. I ended up using a make shift piece tied tp the power cord to hold the display up. Might use this fix when I open up the iMac to replace the hard drive.
Very helpful video.
thanks
I'm about to replace the hard disk, so I'm glad for your solution. It's perfect and I'll do it this weekend and I've got those "L" brackets in the garage.
However, gratuitous statements about Apple doing this deliberately are utter nonsense. When my iMac (2012) had this problem (2016), Apple offered to fix it, for free long after end-of-warranty. But it would take days to do so and I needed the iMac. I asked them to simply send me the part and of course they refused.
Apple make good, durable products. I know: I have lots. My 2007 iMac sold for near $1k in 2012. It was still going strong. I have lots of other Apple products and they are very durable and well designed.
Yes, the stand flaw in the iMac 2012 is tragically dumb - even Apple do that from time to time. But it's not to "force" people to buy more iMacs.
In the interim I simply put a wedge in the back...
you could just get one bigger piece to be fixed in two screws, it would have been stronger. you left one is already risen up from the tension, i think if it would be one piece from left to right, it would be stronger.
great video easy fix
Could the two sets of three screws on either side of the assembly you are repairing be removed, thus clearing the way for a VESA Arm Desk Mount to be screwed right into the back panel chassis?
Mega Bass yes you can remove all the screws to remove the arm and hinge if needed.
Thank you from France ! Great explanations ! I'm gonna try your solution coz it just happened to my iMac yesterday evening :( :( :(
Thank you for your reply.. just be extremely careful taking the mac apart....
Mine has just gone on a 2013 IMAC 27", had a champagne cork on desk that when wedged between screen and stand at correct height (giving the screen tilt you require) seems to work fine!! Please note less costly wedge options are available!!
Please would it be possible to share the dimensions of the bracket and the wholes in it ? This would help a lot when somebody wants to prep this bracket before the actual disassembly.
Thanks for sharing this video and idea of a fix. Helped me a lot already (gonna fix mine this weekend).
Today I fixed my stand. For those who are interested in the parameters I asked above: screws are 20mm apart, holes are 5mm in size. I used bracket 35 x 10 mm. Holes on the bracket were not vertically aligned, bottom edge was roughly 2mm below holes. Using this bracket I had some space to move around so I had no problem centering it.
After this experience though I must say single washer per screw is better approach. It's definitely easier to install and I don't think there's any benefit from using single bracket.
Yes, You can get replacement hinge for $30-$60, but you will have the same problem 2-5 years down the line....
Do the fix like I did and replace those plastic clips with metal like I did and it will never fail!..
I think my next mac will be a mac mini with all the specs maxed out.
Can you show us how to fix it step by step. still not sure. thx
great video to show people and make them aware of this shitty business. you have a 2000 + worth computer with 2 plastic rings holding the shit together, i can't believe this.
big up for the solution!
i bought my mac 5 months ago and it wont stay up, would i be able to take it to them and they would fix/replace it
Hi. Do you mind sharing what the dimension / size of the metal washer you used for the repair?
+mdknguyen I dont have the measurements sorry.
Hello! I've had the same issue recently... The screw holding the broken washer in my iMac was half way unscrewed - the whole hinge mechanism is a complete designers' fail I must say!
Original plastic washers have a complex design (variable thickness, flanges to prevent the spring from sliding off). In rough it can be described as round, 10 mm in the outer diameter, 5 mm in the inner diameter, whilst on one side the washer has a square appendix holding the spring (the one that breaks off and for some curious reason is the thinnest part of it, less than 1 mm thick!!!). The appendix itself is 6 mm long measured from the center of the hole. The two black screws fixing the washers are 3 mm thick in the thread, the distance between them is 2 cm.
So it seems to me that a 12mm (in diameter) round metal washer would fit there just right, but make sure that the inner hole of the new metal washer can hold it tight and prevent from dangling. Hope this helps.
How did you remove the LCD display? Did you use a guitar pick or iFixit pizza cutter and do you have to use a bit of heat from a heatgun?
+Edmond Phon I used guitar picks.. probably could use a bit of heat gun to make it easier....
+Edmond Phon I used guitar picks.. probably could use a bit of heat gun to make it easier
+360mix Thanks a lot! I will try iFixit's pizza cutter. My iMac's 27"'s hinge died as well. Got an entirely new hinge. Probably can't get those kind of washer or plate in my area.
Hi there, Can please tell me what model you currently showing me. is it A1419 model.. is it the thinner iMac or fat one.
Thin mac..
how do I get in touch with you to fix mine
I don’t do iMac repairs. It was just on mine that I fixed.
Thank you. I'm going to be adding memory soon, and this is an issue for me that I also want to fix. Cheers.
Adding memory to 2012 / 27" iMac is done from the outside.
27in Mac from the outside. At the rear, there is a little door to pop open. 21.5 you need to open the Mac up.
Smart fix, thank you!
hi bro, please i did do all what you said but my 27inch imac now stays in one position facing up, so whats the trick to make it adjustable as before to any position i want? thank you
Did you assemble the computer with the screen and all? You must assemble the full computer if not it will not balance....
THANKS A MILL BRO, U ARE REAL A GENIUS AND FOR REAL "U REALLY LOOKED THE WAY PASS APPLE" CRAZY THIEVES APPLE... I HAIL U BRO.. THANKS AGAIN, U SAVED ME FROM COST THAT I WOULD HAVE PAID FOR OPENING AND FIXING THIS BY TECHNICIANS OR BUYING A NEW HINGE OR NEW IMAC.. LOVE YA BRO... PEACE AND ONE LOVE!!!
Jose, Thank you for your words.. glad I could help...
Yeah bro, appreciated!!!
Thank you from china!
Yep mine broke too..
Ty apple.
Great tute/hack, bro! Gonna give this a go. And love dropping some truth bombs about Apple these days! Anything I need to be careful of taking off the screen etc?
GREAT video thanks
H Loves Dogs thank you for the comments hope this helped
H Loves Dogs thank you for the comments hope this helped
Thank you! bro
Thanks for the info. I heard a pop about three hours ago, and said, "What the fuck was that?" I went to push the screen up a bit ten minutes ago, and lo and behold... It's not the end of the world, but fucking annoying. Completely designed to fail. I moved it a little once every couple of weeks. Oh, well, at least it's not running windows :D
Awesome thank you! Mine failed Today.
Get job thanks for the input
My 2012 just broke. My 2009 is still working.
Your smart apple, But I see way beyond you!!! loved it.!!!! they are slick mofos LOL
i have a dell and its scrren is broken to, its kinda like those laptops that are supsed to have there screen bend backwords
See if you can find a DELL Repair.. or perhaps DELL has a service call for them contact DELL
THANKS
I have a good fix, prop your iPhone box up under it. works great, and you cannot see it!
I been doing that since I got mine used!
This happened to me, but Apple fixed it for me. Is your computer not on apple care?
But yes it is weird that they would make it out of plastic, even though the computer is super heavy.
So it breaks after a couple of years and you need to buy a new computer... (apple can only make money if you replace your computer every a few years!!)
its hard as hell to push the spring into place to screw it in to fix this. i ended up getting a whole new hinge. pain in the ass!
I just put a cork between the screen and the stand
They offer a free repair program for this...
They should be taken to court and fined a lot of money for this nonsense!!
No. They will fix it for free and make you "whole". In the meantime a wedge of foam behind the iMac does fine.
So you had to remove the Fan, and Logic Board to fix this? That sucks. I wish Apple would fix everyones Imac for free because of the crappy design
+NickC75 Yes you will need to the Fan, Logic board and power supply to gain access to the hindge... I personally don't think this is a flaw its a design so that the imac break after a couple of years and you are forced to replace the computer with a new one...
Dam dude, Apple has been caught.
God these people are criminals
Same problem...
oh, no this happened to my yesterday.
I doubt anyone bought a new iMac for that reason. People propped the screen somehow and bet a lot of them swore never to buy another Apple product.
it would’ve been nice if you demonstrated actually how to do it
marco petraglia Do what
Apple fix your iMac for free even if your mac isn't under the warranty or AppleCare protection!!
Mine broke today after 4 years...apple is shady for this design!
Guess you did not know this is a free of charge repair by apple otherwise you won't say apple did this on purpose
I surmise, the reason Apple put the plastic, instead of metal might have to do with static charge build up while the screen angle is adjusted. Imagine having to swivel your screen many times during a week, during which friction is created between the spring strip and plastic restrainer, which in turn causes the screen to stay in an angle you choose. What you do not want is for this friction to create static electricity, which in turn can be a source of fire hazard inside the iMac, which is laden with too much and too many electrical components. I doubt if Apple deployed the plastic restrainer deliberately so that it would fail in a year or two so that the consumer can buy another iMac. The ideal solution is for the video poster to use a more durable plastic strip instead of metal. Prevention is Better Than Cure. Nonetheless, koodos to the poster for discovering the problem and proposing a solution.
Apologies, but your statement above is packed with incorrect assumptions and felt that I should comment to make sure people are not misinformed.
1) Static cannot be a problem inside the iMac since the metal case is grounded and so the static will be instantly earthed.
2) Metal rubbing on plastic would in any event create static. Metal on metal wouldn't (at least not measurably) so replacing the plastic parts with metal ones would be "safer" given your worries about static build-up. (Which wouldn't happen anyway - see point (1)).
3) Static would not be "a source of fire hazard inside the iMac, which is laden with too much and too many electrical components" since:
(a) Static would kill the electronics or cause it to fail in time, not ignite.
(b) The number of electrical components is small compared to, say, a Jumbo Jet and they tend not to spontaneously burst into flames.
(c) No static can get onto the internal circuitry since IT IS IN AN EARTHED CHASSIS. (See point (1) again!)
4) The ideal solution is to use a METAL strip, NOT plastic unless you want the whole thing to fail again in a year or so.
5) Prevention is better than cure -- Apple ought not to have used plastic retainers. I know. My iMac just went "crack" and now has a droopy screen.
6) I'm fortunate in two ways - firstly I'm an electronics engineer and computer consultant, so I know what's right and what's bull plop. Secondly, I bought a set of iMac disassembly tools recently so that I could open the iMac and replace the hard drive with an SSD. Now I can sort both things out with one screen removal.
I agree 100% with you about the static.... Not Sure why ManjaroJam thought this would be the case... Hope you get your mac fixed... be patience when we moving the screen... take breaks while doing it..... I removed the screen in 3 successions.. took a break after each side....
Thanks for the advice - this WILL be probably the slowest disassembly I'll ever do! The thought of cracking my screen is too much to bear.
I was so focused on addressing the issues with ManjaroJam's post, that I forgot to say a big thanks for posting your video! Taking the time to show the issue with the hinge and how to repair it was a real help as I could at least see what the problem was before I open the machine up. It helped me sleep better the night that it happened :)
It's a crazy design - I agree with you that it's so obviously dumb that it must be 'by design' by Apple. I hear that Apple are repairing this outside warranty (maybe they shot themselves in the foot?) but I'll go for a metal repair rather than have them replace the broken parts with new plastic parts.
what bullshit! Same thing happened to me twice now! Luckily I was covered with apple care. But it takes them a week to fix. plastic.......
Mine just broke now.....such a shitty design.....
forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-offering-refunds-to-customers-who-paid-for-imac-hinge-repairs.2018468/
Mine just broke. UGGGGGGG
Contact apple first to see if the recall is still available for you..
can sue apple for this faulty design
lol
SHAME on apple