MacBook Pro Lid won't Latch Properly

I have a 17" MBP 2.16 Ghz. I'm having problems with the Lid latching properly. I think my issue is that the magnet on the Right Latch is not strong enough. The hook on the left swings down from the magnet o the right, but the hook on the left does not. It will swing out if I put a magnet close to it.

I used a nail file and can feel magnetic pull over where both magnets should be. I just think the left one is a little too week. This causes only one hook to engage the latch.

Does anyone have pix of these magnets?

Can you purchase them somewhere?

Is there room there to put in a stronger magnet?

If there are any threads out there that show how to repair this, I would love to see it. I've been searching for hours and can't find a thread addressing the magnet issue.

The other thing this does is make it appear the LCD is warped because only one latch grabs, but really the display may not be warped, it just looks like it is because it is only being held by one Latch.

 

do you have warranty? Get it repaired.

 

Long out of warranty unfortunately. I'll be the fixer.

 

This isn't helpful at all but I'm so glad Apple did away with the latch system when they moved to the unibodies. Two out of the three 15 SR MBPs we had developed the same issue where one hook would drop down while the other would only partially drop leaving it not latching on properly. Never did find a fix unfortunately as they were out of warranty.

 

I'm thinking about opening it up today to see if I can put a stronger magnet in there.

 

Make sure the latch area is clean of debris and look to make sure the latch is not slightly bent.
These are normal reasons the latch fails to work, sometimes the lower latch part gets broken so the hook really has nothing to hook onto.

 

No debris or broken pieces, the hook on the right would not swing down. Now after the WD-40 I sprayed in there had some time on board, the hook swings down.

It does not bite well on the block and that side slips open now. I may try to figure out if there is a way to sharpen the hook, or gnaw an indent out of the underside of the catch block.

I'm very close to getting it working I think. Now it basically catches the block and slips easily.

 

WD40 & Spray
Usually a little dab of silicone lub works best and will not attracted more dust and debris.
Scary spraying that WD40 into the lcd area

 

Small shot of what I had on hand!