Removing front fan from Mac Pro

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I have a late 2006-early 2007 Mac Pro. I need to remove the fan in the front so I can gain access where the IDE ribbon cables connect to the motherboard so that I may replace them. I am good at assembling PCs, but Macs are not really put together to be user-serviceable, they want me to pay for repair which I think is pretty dumb. If I break it, I have no one to blame but myself, right? Right.

Anyway, the fan seems locked onto a small thing that is attached to the memory cage. I found this page online, but the computer in that example seems a bit different than mine. Mine has a metal plate over the section where it is just air on the web page. Are there any good guides on getting this out or can someone walk me through a safe procedure?
 

chscag

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You might try the breakdown instructions at iFixit: The free repair manual. Also, hang on for a bit.... Several of our senior members and one staff member own Mac Pros. They can probably advise you what to do.
 
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Joe Redifer
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I looked at that site and can't seem to find the Mac Pro section.

EDIT: Nevermind, I found it, but there are no guides for the Mac Pro, it says.
 
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There is a screw on the right of the fan unit, undo that using a magnetic screw driver. Use one of the removable PCI-e slot grill covers to remove the fan. Insert into the front of the fan and slowly prize off. There is a clip in power take off beneath the unit so take it slow. Replacing just align the clip, apply pressure until it clicks in, and replace the screw. Pages 57/59 in the service manual, which are worth their weight in gold!

Whilst the fan is out get to work with a brush and cloth and give it a good clean, particularly so the fan blades. if you are feeling adventurous, peel up the cover on the centre of the fan and lubricate with a drop or two only of WD40.
 
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Joe Redifer
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My Mac Pro must be the only one with a metal shield blocking fan removal. Check out this picture:

macinnards.jpg


The screw is removed (point A).

But the fan goes underneath this metal shield (point B) and will not budge as long as this shield is in place. I cannot remove the shield and there seems to be no way to. Apple REALLY doesn't want me in there.

Also, where are these service manuals? I tried looking twice at the Mac Pro section on the site that chscag linked to above, but no luck. Maybe a direct link instead of just a link to the front page?
 
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Joe Redifer
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OK I figured it out. It does indeed go under the shield for the heat sink, but not very far.

But all seems OK behind the fan, so not sure why neither of my optical drives will no loner work. Took the time to clean it out, though. Thanks!

EDIT: Those linked videos are awesome.
 
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Sounds like you have a an IDE or power cable problem if neither will work. With heat and time they do get brittle and can crack.
 
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Hi,

I'm having the same problem in getting the fan out. It looks like a need to remove part B in the picture. Does that shield come off easily?

Fixit video shows it already removed when they take the fans out
 

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