Loose T43 keyboard

[pcdj]

I've recently done a major transplant job from one T43 to another after my motherboard gave up the ghost. Now that i've put it back together my keyboard seems a tad loose and 'clackety' when pressing the arrow keys towards the bottom right of the keyboard. The rest of the keyboard feels solid and gives a different sort of noise to when these keys are pressed.

I can sort of put it down to the trackpad part of the base, where the right hand wrist rests. If I push down on this part, just above the fingerprint reader, and press the keys the response is a lot more solid than if the keys are pressed when not pressing down on the wrist rest.

I've checked all the screws underneath and they seem to be firmly screwed in. There's just the one screw that seems like it could be the cause of the problem - the one nearest the silver strip side of the Windows XP sticker underneath, however this won't do up any more.

Does anyone have any ideas what could be causing this annoying noise?

[RealBlackStuff]

You might use the wrong length of screw.
Take the keyboard out, and make sure the aluminum base is absolutely flat before you put it back in.
Make sure to press the left/right front sides (i.e. nearest you) down so they sort of "snap in" before you put the screws back in.

[pcdj]

Thanks for the suggestions, but yes I've used the correct screws in the correct places and the keyboard has been snapped in as you describe.

As an aside, can anyone suggest a supplier for a set of screws that go on the underneath? I managed to strip one of the screw heads as I was screwing it back in - evidently my "precision/miniature" philips screwdriver isn't miniature enough!

[RealBlackStuff]

eBayer wibony sells complete sets of screws for various TP models.

[pcdj]

Thank you.

I think I finally found the cause of the problem after taking both laptops apart again and swapping some parts out.

It seems as though it has nothing to do with the keyboards, palm rests, or the screws - when the keyboard is removed and one can see the metal 'cage' that surrounds the ultrabay underneath, there are four metal tabs that can be bent up or down. There is one underneath the right-hand shift key on the keyboard that I bent upwards slightly so that it is pressing harder against the keyboard.

I've fitted the keyboard back and the travel on the arrow keys seems far more solid, so it looks as though the issue is resolved.

Think I've knackered some of the screws taking them in and out though so I'll still need a replacement set - I'll have a look out for that guy on ebay.

[ozoux]

I had this exact same issue as other members have also had, so don't feel alone

I fixed it the exact same way you did and it works a treat, others use business cards or napkins, you can also use some very thin stick on foam strips under there too, but the way you have done it is fine and works well

[killer]

pcdj,
When I had to remove my keyboard I too knackered the screws. I phoned Lenovo's hardware support people and they sent me the screws I needed.
One needs a really good quality screwdriver to unscrew or put back the screws.

[Harryc]

I've been using the same screwdriver for years and have never stripped a screw in a Thinkpad.