Apple MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4GHz, Late 2007 CTO, Early 2008, and Late 2008) - Manual (Page 67)

MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Take Apart — Hard Drive 67
Kapton tape may wrap all the way around the flex connector to the back side of the hard 7.
drive. If so, hold the hard drive by its sides to turn it over and release the Kapton tape.
Disconnect the hard drive flex connector by pulling it straight back away from the hard drive. 8.