Installing drive in optical drive bay 2

[macmesser]

I did it before (put an SSD there) but I'm not sure I'm remembering all the steps. Used to be instructions on Macperformanceguide but not there anymore.

I removed drive sleds 1 and 2 but the optical drive housing still won't budge. Obviously I don't want to force it. Is there anything else that needs to be unscrewed or removed before sliding out the optical drive housing?

BTW, is there anything to be gained by putting a drive on sleds 1-4 over putting it in optical drive bay 2?

Any help appreciated.

 

[ActionableMango]

I have a 5,1 and I just pull that puppy straight out. There is a lot of resistance though, so it can be a little alarming.

Make sure your case-opening-lever at the back of the case is still in the open/up position. I believe that will lock the optical bay housing if it is in the down/closed position.

 

[macmesser]

I have a 5,1 and I just pull that puppy straight out. There is a lot of resistance though, so it can be a little alarming.

Make sure your case-opening-lever at the back of the case is still in the open/up position. I believe that will lock the optical bay housing if it is in the down/closed position.

Thanks for reply. I just tried pulling it again. It's just too scary applying the kind of force it seems to be demanding. I tried it with the lever down with less force just to see if the thing seemed more locked in and it really doesn't. Is there some special way I need to work it or some kind of screw anywhere? There is an optical drive on top and an SSD below. The thing just isn't budging and I don't want to warp the housing by forcing it. I want to move the SSD.

BTW, I have a 2009 which was originally a 4,1. I think the hardware is the same.

 

[macmesser]

I have a 5,1 and I just pull that puppy straight out. There is a lot of resistance though, so it can be a little alarming.

Make sure your case-opening-lever at the back of the case is still in the open/up position. I believe that will lock the optical bay housing if it is in the down/closed position.

OK. Worked up my nerve and got it. Hardware is the same and I found the page on Macperformanceguide.com. A little grit or dust between the optical drive housing and the tracks it slides on seem to cause the alarming resistance. Some graphite lube would help. I found a good technique:

1) place two thumbs on the "stud bar" (did I actually type that?) between the two leftmost studs that hold the cover on

2) hook digits 2 (index finger) and 3 ("bird" finger) of each hand through the respective "window" on the optical drive housing, getting finger tips as low as possible

3) pull with finger tips as low as possible against thumbs, varying force from side to side until the housing starts to move

The trick ( well, for a guy like me it was) is to keep the outward force as low as possible and therefore nearly all horizontal. Pulling from higher up on the housing will actually create torque and therefore compress the housing onto its track and those little pins that it slides on.

 

[ActionableMango]

Woohoo, happy ending!

I will say that after 5-6 times pulling the cage out, it seems to be getting a little easier.

 

[macmesser]

Woohoo, happy ending!

I will say that after 5-6 times pulling the cage out, it seems to be getting a little easier.

LOL! And less scary.

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A little grit or dust between the optical drive housing and the tracks it slides on seem to cause the alarming resistance. Some graphite lube would help.om.

Rethinking this. Graphite flakes floating around inside a computer and possibly shorting things out might not be a good idea. If I were going to apply lube it would be a touch of clock oil or silicone grease. But shouldn't really be necessary anyway.