Mine came loose with gentle steady pulling. Held out of the way during the rest of the job with a pair of tweezers wedged on it...not clamped.

Must say that you can avoid all these next steps and go to battery removal IF you are patient. Using 3-4 of iFixit's nylon spudgers, you can simply pry upwards on the cells and get them loose. The glue strips will start to loosen and then you can use one spudgers flat edge to cut the remaining adhesive. Continuing to apply upwards pressure throughout and working slowly, it can be done. I have done half-a-dozen this way. Was just too afraid to risk the adhesive remover getting where it shouldn't. Once the battery is completely out, you can pull or scape off the remaining glue-strips. My last one came off so clean, there was only about 1% residue.

I absolutely “ditto” this! I simply removed the upper 2 screws securing the logic board and carefully wedged something underneath its edge to make a bit more room. I, too, was able to remove and replace RAM by removing only those screws and the fan. Getting the RAM out is fairly easy. Replacing the module closet to the board—-the first one—-is really easy. It’s the 2nd module that will try your patience. My fingers are blunt and “fat, so I actually taped the RAM chip to my fingertip and then used a bent wire (not bare metal wire) to maneuver the chip into its slot. To do all that took less time and anxiety than removing all required with the full-step operation.

Please be aware that you CAN do this replacement with MUCH LESS work. I successfully replaced a trackpad (TP) in this model WITHOUT removing a lot of what is described here. I think i mainly removed the logic board (LB) anchor screws along the TP side and was then able to lever up the LB just enough to get the cable unplugged and snaked out. Followed the reverse and done. Maybe not for all, but it worked for me. // Re screws: i print out the images here of the multi-screws locations and then tape the screws in place on the print-out

Mine has these cables exactly opposite what is shown here. (?)

Step #16 is kinda confusing on the last paragraph. Can anyone clarify.? Thanks.