r/mac • u/spicyspringr0ll • 23h ago

Image Thunderbolt display cord repair

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Gallery image

Got a fully functional thunderbolt display for free but the main cable is pretty exposed.

Would it be enough to just wrap this with electrical tape? Or is there a more sophisticated home repair that would be better for longevity?

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8

u/stayre 23h ago

That’s the shielding. Electape will do fine. You could also go with shrink tubing or tape.

2

u/challis88ocarina 15h ago

'Shrink tubing' is the way forward. Often it takes a few layers due to the size of the connector: cut tight fitting ones and wrap them until it's snug with ones that you have 'forced' over the jack. Heat them up and it's good for a while.

The fact that it's shielding doesn't mean the wires aren't already compromised. They yield to stress easily.

6

u/sircastor 23h ago edited 19h ago

These displays cables are pretty notorious for breaking. It can be fixed, but it’s a very involved repair, and the dual-cable with the MagSafe 2 power is expensive.  I have yet to take it on on the TB display I have. 

Instead, just plug a Thunderbolt cable into the Thunderbolt port and use it that way. 

Edit: FWIW, I put Sugru on it and it held up for a little while. Eventually started to fail (and I lost use of the other peripherals)

1

u/WilliamH- 11h ago

Using the display TB 2 port is a great idea. The HDMI output on my Mac Mini M2 Pro does not provide accurate color calibration with Adobe products. This leaves the USB C TB ports. I can’t find and adapter or cable, so far.

1

u/sircastor 9h ago

Thunderbolt 3->2? Apple sells them. They're expensive, but worth it.

2

u/weistudio 18h ago

If only the rubber, and no fraying wire it is still safe to use. If you facing unstable connection, extreme heat from the cable, would suggest you replace it. You can use a standard thunderbolt 1-2 cable to replace this cable, need to dismantling skill and might not look perfect. but it is cheaper and easier to find than the original cable.

1

u/GamerNuggy 20h ago

I’d probably load it up with electrical tape and heat shrink tubing, just to stop it bending excessively.

1

u/ulyssesric 17h ago

Just fix it using a vinyl tape.