Thinkpads Forum

I've noticed in Lenovo's maintenance manuals it said the screws should be only used once. Does that mean after you take it out you should use a new one? I was wondering if anyone actually does that?

I used to think it was a way to make us buy more products, but after reuse of screws in the past, most especially on LCD bezels, I have noticed loosening despite using sufficient torque when they were replaced. I would definitely use new ones if possible.

I re-use screws all the time.

That being said I also put a dab of loc-tite on each one when it is put back in the machine.

I re-use ThinkPad screws, and I've never had a problem doing so.

+1

I notice hinge screws need to be re-tightened periodically, but that's even on non-serviced machines.

+1 for re-using... I would recommend anyway to buy an extra screw set, there dead cheap in Ebay...

sir_synthsalot wrote:I was wondering if anyone actually does that?

This is a beautiful remnant of IBM exactitude. In the perfect, dust-free world of IBM engineering idealism, every computer should be treated to new screws with each service. However, in practice, I doubt screws were ever swapped unless they were stripped.

(Note: IBM used to include new screws with each replacement TP keyboard, but that practice eventually stopped. Eventually, what should be done in a perfect world met reality. The documention just hasn't been edited.)

For the perfectionists out there, I did some research into just the right loctite to use for Thinkpad screws not too long ago, and Loctite 222 is perfect. Google it.

Temetka wrote:That being said I also put a dab of loc-tite on each one when it is put back in the machine.

Just make sure you use the lowest-strength Loctite!! (I'd never do this, BTW.)

Anyway, those are special nylon-coated screws. If you re-use them, one day you'll take out your trusty Thinkpad and all of those screws will all have fallen out. You'll be sitting in the departure lounge with a pile of computer parts in your lap.

corona wrote:Anyway, those are special nylon-coated screws. If you re-use them, one day you'll take out your trusty Thinkpad and all of those screws will all have fallen out. You'll be sitting in the departure lounge with a pile of computer parts in your lap.

One can typically avoid this doom by periodically (once a year?) checking the screws and tightening the ones which became loose.

I'm always re-using the screws. Probably should buy some fresh ones though..

I reuse as well provided the heads are in decent shape. If they look worn, I replace with a new one.

Even the official repair depots reuse screws on your laptops, so there is no problem reusing them as long it is still in good shape.

lead_org wrote:Even the official repair depots reuse screws on your laptops, so there is no problem reusing them as long it is still in good shape.

Good point. Every time I have had Lenovo (or rather their subcontractor) onsite repair to my home or place of business they have reused the same screws.

I always reuse the screws, and I even don't put some screws back on that makes creaky in the base.

Make sure you put slight LocTite to the screws make them firm and not easy to become loose.

After removing the hard drive cover on my T60 to install a new SSD, I can't seem to get the screw to stay on. I'm not sure if that's because the nylon has worn off, or if there's simply too much travel between the two contact points of the computer case.