Hi Andy, you saved my day!!! I got the exactly same problem and was so frustrated. Thanks to your sharing. I fixed it though it took a couple of days and a bunch of broken wires before I find some strong enough steel wires for the job. The process was painful but the result is definitely rewarding. Now I have my old but still brilliant 27 LED cinema display mounted on a VESA stand. Much appreciated!
Just in case anyone else is as ignorant as I am... After you find a way to grab/pull up you MUST insert the business card/credit card to release the latch/spring before it will come all the way out. Then release/remove the card and it will lock in an "open" position. (Believe it or not, we actually bent a (cheapo) pair of needle nose pliers we were exerting so much force (and bent the case in the process prying against it.) Final solution: We (yes, it took two of us) were able to simply loop a single 100lb picture hanging wire around both "alignment pegs" (which I'd left in when I removed the stand originally) and pull. But not until after I'd already tried/failed w/ 65lb fishing line (snapped), steel wire (not flexible enough), etc. Thank you for a great video! We never would have succeeded w/o this tutorial! Thanks Andy!
Thank you, Andy! You saved my day too. I used a very thin braided nylon cord that fished through the holes quite easily (melt the ends so it doesn't fray). Thanks too for your detailed description.
This saved me too. I used some picture hanging wire and used tweezers to feed the wire through. I broke the wires a few times but then finally got it when I applied a lot of force pulling. I was shocked by how much force was needed. Or maybe I’m just weak. I needed another person to hold the monitor down while pulling up. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for explaining this. I was surprised at how much force was needed to pull the thing out. Maybe 25 pounds of force? I tried earlier with a weaker technique and it didn’t even budge. The screwdriver technique was what worked!
THANK YOU! Had on hand "The Hillman Group 121110 Picture Hanging Wire, 30 lb, Galvanized" and wrapped it around a small 1 pound dumbbell. It had a better grip, didn't dig into the fingers, and didn't fly across the room. The 'latch' was damaged or something, because whether it was pressed in or not the mount would 'move.' UNFORTUNATELY the amount of force required to get the mount out and locked, was more than your video. The iMac (2011) had to be held down, because it kept rising. Eventually the mount came out and Fortunately locked in place, but the 30 lb wire snapped in the process. That internal hinge is an insipid design.
Thank you! I have not yet removed the Thunderbolt bracket, but I was concerned about what to do if this happens. Now I can proceed with considerable confidence. God bless you too!
THANK YOU!! Seriously saved the day. I had just removed my VESA mount and then the bar popped back in and I was really pissed haha. I'm ironically going the other way and putting the thunderbolt back on (or trying to).
Nearly took an axe to the back of the thunderbolt display in lockdown induced rage until I found your video. Thank you for this. What an utterly stupid design.
Thanks for this, was trying to figure out how to solve it and started thinking about putting wire through the holes, this helped me skip ahead. I need a break so might try it later though!
@@AndyTraub I gave this a go and it ALMOST worked for me but couldn't quite get the right force / angle. Read about the official Apple 'Bale retrieval tool' and was about to buy one but managed to macguyver one out of an old shelf bracket! I've kept it aside in case I need it again.
Just about to do this myself, are you also pushing the card in at the top? there's a release mechanism clip there, slim silver piece that you push down with a wide rigid card of some kind - if you don't have that released the mounting piece is not going to move.
I have the reverse problem. I found a broken glass Thunderbolt Display on the street across from my building. It has a VESA mount on it & I have no way how to get it off so I can get a stand and work on restoring it, if it is repairable. Any ideas would be appreciated.
The glass replacement is cheap. I've bought them before. You can pull the mount off after you pull the piece out and lock it in place by placing a card inside so it doesn't retract inside. Good luck.
@@AndyTraub Thanks Andy. I really appreciate the help. I will try to restore it ( if it's possible later this year ). I could use the monitor when I do my videos.
Thanks Andy, yes I was VERY pissed off when I found you, had trawled the Web for a solution. Such an unbelievably stupid design, even for Apple's mechanical engineering department.. A tribute to obsessive design values with NO consideration for the customer's needs for access. It was SO non obvious and needed the confidence to attack the problem, given I can fix most things, car, electric, computer. The descriptions by most Mac users as to what they done were semi literate and missed the key parts. Apart from the need for fi orce. Seems most Mac users are fairly clueless mcehanically. How much force to use? How to apply it most safely and how/when to free the lock mechanism? nb: Thee hinge is NOT locked down when hidden inside, just held down by strong springs. You do need to release the catch until you get the hinge to the point of being outside the cover. Before you attempt this at all look inside to be sure of how the release catch works and the angle to enter the card at, etc. My Dad left me a handy home made piano 180 deg wire hook in his garage, (20swg?), It had a wooden handle so I heldt the wire ina Mole wrench which was plenty enough for the job. I would have used the picture wire approach without it - I planned a loop of strong picture wire with a Tent peg puller as the handle. nb: Tent peg pullers/hooks also work well with exhaust mounting rubbers, with a bit of WD-4-0/Silicon spray. Using force carfully it was relatively easy to free the catch while holding the hinge and pulling it the last bit past the latch point. It needed patience, sensibly applied force and several tries. ATTENTION: In the end another problem needed attention. The back cover was to far proud of the hinge and was partly blocking the inconveniently small screw holes. In the end the only cure was to use a wooden drift and soft mallet to "lower its profile" at the aperture. Hit it with a hammer..... Yes, it still works, I just plugged in the screen with the VESA bracket attached.... always check they are still working before finishing the actual mounting.....old car lesson. OUTSIDE THE BOX....It also occurred that it is the BACK and will be covered by the VESA bracket, and this was a second hand monitor, so I could just cut a bigger hole in the soft Aluminium cover - using Inspector Dremel? - how easy is the back cover to cut a piece from? (Below the bracket.hinge assembly to make some space to get a mole wrench on the hinge directly. Show it the instruments...... THIS is a wrench......... but I didn't need to in the end. OIf you do, why not..... whose going to know? And the missing bit of cover will be under the VESA bracket and also hidden by the Free standing bracket if replaced later..... All done now 🙂 Thanks again. You gave me the confidence to attack in a controlled and forceful way, but carefully. NONE THE LESS .... The click as the hinge locked out was a "there can be only one" moment ..... th-cam.com/video/uNZU9JjSR3A/w-d-xo.html Postcript: Another Apple engineering/serviceability fail. There has always something of the rich persons disposable consumable about a Mac, and access has sucked since the Mac Plus cover removal tools ..... when will they ever learn. The locked down locked out phone market suits Apple much better. Mass brand signalling consumers are too incompetent to be allowed access anyway. IMO
King shit here. I found you at a dark time and you showed me the light.
Glad I could help. Was a nightmare but we found a way!
This is still helping people in 2024! THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!
Hi Andy, you saved my day!!! I got the exactly same problem and was so frustrated. Thanks to your sharing. I fixed it though it took a couple of days and a bunch of broken wires before I find some strong enough steel wires for the job. The process was painful but the result is definitely rewarding. Now I have my old but still brilliant 27 LED cinema display mounted on a VESA stand. Much appreciated!
You're welcome! I love mine vertical too.
Just in case anyone else is as ignorant as I am... After you find a way to grab/pull up you MUST insert the business card/credit card to release the latch/spring before it will come all the way out. Then release/remove the card and it will lock in an "open" position. (Believe it or not, we actually bent a (cheapo) pair of needle nose pliers we were exerting so much force (and bent the case in the process prying against it.) Final solution: We (yes, it took two of us) were able to simply loop a single 100lb picture hanging wire around both "alignment pegs" (which I'd left in when I removed the stand originally) and pull. But not until after I'd already tried/failed w/ 65lb fishing line (snapped), steel wire (not flexible enough), etc. Thank you for a great video! We never would have succeeded w/o this tutorial! Thanks Andy!
Thank you, Andy! You saved my day too. I used a very thin braided nylon cord that fished through the holes quite easily (melt the ends so it doesn't fray). Thanks too for your detailed description.
This saved me too. I used some picture hanging wire and used tweezers to feed the wire through. I broke the wires a few times but then finally got it when I applied a lot of force pulling. I was shocked by how much force was needed. Or maybe I’m just weak. I needed another person to hold the monitor down while pulling up. Thank you so much!
100% agree. I'm not a weightlifter but you have to pull HARD to get that up.
Thank you so much for explaining this. I was surprised at how much force was needed to pull the thing out. Maybe 25 pounds of force? I tried earlier with a weaker technique and it didn’t even budge. The screwdriver technique was what worked!
A LOT of force!
THANK YOU SO MUCH - This just saved my iMac Pro. And yes I was in a dark place!
This is the BEST VIDEO on TH-cam in 2022 for me
HA! glad it helped.
Dude! You saved the day- I was completely baffled... your method worked like a charm. Thank you.
Glad it helped!
THANK YOU!
Had on hand "The Hillman Group 121110 Picture Hanging Wire, 30 lb, Galvanized" and wrapped it around a small 1 pound dumbbell. It had a better grip, didn't dig into the fingers, and didn't fly across the room. The 'latch' was damaged or something, because whether it was pressed in or not the mount would 'move.' UNFORTUNATELY the amount of force required to get the mount out and locked, was more than your video. The iMac (2011) had to be held down, because it kept rising. Eventually the mount came out and Fortunately locked in place, but the 30 lb wire snapped in the process.
That internal hinge is an insipid design.
Woah. That's insane. Indeed a crazy design.
Awesome, and clear - gave me exactly what I needed to get out of this mess. Thank you!
Thank you! I have not yet removed the Thunderbolt bracket, but I was concerned about what to do if this happens. Now I can proceed with considerable confidence. God bless you too!
You are welcome!
Even 2 years this video after you just save my life thank you for that!
Glad it helped! I'm still using my monitor every day!
Great. Thank you so much. I got it now!
THANK YOU!! Seriously saved the day. I had just removed my VESA mount and then the bar popped back in and I was really pissed haha. I'm ironically going the other way and putting the thunderbolt back on (or trying to).
Thanks for this! I used a metal coat hanger in one of the center holes, and that worked for me.
Totally saved me bro! This is the most ridiculous design. Made my day! Thanks for posting!
Glad I could help!
Nearly took an axe to the back of the thunderbolt display in lockdown induced rage until I found your video. Thank you for this. What an utterly stupid design.
Thanks for the video!!! God bless!
wish I could give you a high five. Thanks man, really helped.
If you're ever near Nashville look me up. I love high fives.
Thanks for this, was trying to figure out how to solve it and started thinking about putting wire through the holes, this helped me skip ahead. I need a break so might try it later though!
You're welcome!
@@AndyTraub I gave this a go and it ALMOST worked for me but couldn't quite get the right force / angle. Read about the official Apple 'Bale retrieval tool' and was about to buy one but managed to macguyver one out of an old shelf bracket! I've kept it aside in case I need it again.
Thank you so much! I needed this, and it worked, thanks again!
OMG...Thank you soo much for this!!!!!
You are so welcome!
Great idea! Thank you for posting!
You are so welcome!
Thank you! This saved me!!
You are the master!
Saved my bacon!!!! Thank you
Glad it helped.
Dude awesome thank you for the help! Perfect
Glad I could help. Still love these monitors!
Thanks a lot
Happy to help
You are right I was pissed off 😂👉🏼🖥 but not any more thank to you! Good solution 👌🏼😅👍🏼
THANK YOU!!!
I am trying to get it out, and it is taking two of us pulling the wires and it is still not coming out. How hard should we pull?
Just about to do this myself, are you also pushing the card in at the top? there's a release mechanism clip there, slim silver piece that you push down with a wide rigid card of some kind - if you don't have that released the mounting piece is not going to move.
I have the reverse problem. I found a broken glass Thunderbolt Display on the street across from my building. It has a VESA mount on it & I have no way how to get it off so I can get a stand and work on restoring it, if it is repairable. Any ideas would be appreciated.
The glass replacement is cheap. I've bought them before. You can pull the mount off after you pull the piece out and lock it in place by placing a card inside so it doesn't retract inside. Good luck.
@@AndyTraub Thanks Andy. I really appreciate the help. I will try to restore it ( if it's possible later this year ). I could use the monitor when I do my videos.
Thanks man !!
Glad I could help.
That was really smart!!
Hi Andy what size wire is it ? I’m suffering with this issue rn . Please help . Thank you
Couldn't tell you. Just some random wire I had. Thicker the better IMO.
How hard did you have to pull? I'm using thin wire and the wire typed in half before anything moved. Maybe I'm not pushing right with the card?
ZOMG, thanks for this TH-cam video xx 😁😁👍👍
No problem 😊
Thank you! Saved the day
Glad it helped!
Thank you sooooooooooooooooooooo much for the help.
Thank you man, you saved me
Thank you Andy for the tip. Please tell me what iMac is this for?
27 inch. Probably the same for the 21.5 version too though.
Not just iMac. Thunderbolt display as well. Worked for me.
ugh - dealing with this right now - what a stupid design
Thanks Andy, yes I was VERY pissed off when I found you, had trawled the Web for a solution. Such an unbelievably stupid design, even for Apple's mechanical engineering department.. A tribute to obsessive design values with NO consideration for the customer's needs for access.
It was SO non obvious and needed the confidence to attack the problem, given I can fix most things, car, electric, computer. The descriptions by most Mac users as to what they done were semi literate and missed the key parts. Apart from the need for fi orce. Seems most Mac users are fairly clueless mcehanically.
How much force to use? How to apply it most safely and how/when to free the lock mechanism?
nb: Thee hinge is NOT locked down when hidden inside, just held down by strong springs. You do need to release the catch until you get the hinge to the point of being outside the cover. Before you attempt this at all look inside to be sure of how the release catch works and the angle to enter the card at, etc.
My Dad left me a handy home made piano 180 deg wire hook in his garage, (20swg?), It had a wooden handle so I heldt the wire ina Mole wrench which was plenty enough for the job.
I would have used the picture wire approach without it - I planned a loop of strong picture wire with a Tent peg puller as the handle.
nb: Tent peg pullers/hooks also work well with exhaust mounting rubbers, with a bit of WD-4-0/Silicon spray.
Using force carfully it was relatively easy to free the catch while holding the hinge and pulling it the last bit past the latch point.
It needed patience, sensibly applied force and several tries.
ATTENTION: In the end another problem needed attention. The back cover was to far proud of the hinge and was partly blocking the inconveniently small screw holes. In the end the only cure was to use a wooden drift and soft mallet to "lower its profile" at the aperture. Hit it with a hammer.....
Yes, it still works, I just plugged in the screen with the VESA bracket attached.... always check they are still working before finishing the actual mounting.....old car lesson.
OUTSIDE THE BOX....It also occurred that it is the BACK and will be covered by the VESA bracket, and this was a second hand monitor, so I could just cut a bigger hole in the soft Aluminium cover - using Inspector Dremel? - how easy is the back cover to cut a piece from? (Below the bracket.hinge assembly to make some space to get a mole wrench on the hinge directly. Show it the instruments...... THIS is a wrench......... but I didn't need to in the end.
OIf you do, why not..... whose going to know? And the missing bit of cover will be under the VESA bracket and also hidden by the Free standing bracket if replaced later.....
All done now 🙂 Thanks again. You gave me the confidence to attack in a controlled and forceful way, but carefully.
NONE THE LESS .... The click as the hinge locked out was a "there can be only one" moment .....
th-cam.com/video/uNZU9JjSR3A/w-d-xo.html
Postcript: Another Apple engineering/serviceability fail. There has always something of the rich persons disposable consumable about a Mac, and access has sucked since the Mac Plus cover removal tools ..... when will they ever learn. The locked down locked out phone market suits Apple much better. Mass brand signalling consumers are too incompetent to be allowed access anyway. IMO
Epic. Just Epic. Well done.
Thank you ..just got the problem
pop off dad t
THANK YOU
You're welcome.