Reduce loud trackpad click on Unibody portables

Dec 23, '08 07:30:00AM

Contributed by: robrandtoul

Lots of the new 2008 MacBook and MacBook Pros exhibit a much louder trackpad click that the older models. There have been numerous posts suggesting solutions like stuffing Kleenex between the battery and underside of the trackpad. Probably not the best idea to place a combustible item like tissue next to the battery.

However, if you turn the notebook over and pop out the battery, you will reveal the underside of the trackpad. There you will find a tri-blade screw (it's got a Y-shaped head) that adjusts the travel of the trackpad button and the force needed to register a click successfully. This screw is actually quite easy to turn using a small flat bladed screwdriver, so no special tools are required.

Turning the screw clockwise will reduce the required travel, and also dampen the sound of the click itself. Turning the screw counterclockwise increases the travel, and provides a much more audible click.

Note: I would advise turning the screw an 1/8th of a turn, test, then repeat until the desired effect is achieved. Tightening the screw too far will result in the inability to register a click at all, and may result in damage to the trackpad mechanism itself. You are, of course, responsible for any damage you do to your Mac if you try out this hint!

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