Having difficulty removing the fan assembly *PICS*

[erik21]

I'm not sure how I'm managing this, but I just cannot, for the life of me, get the fan assembly out of my T40. It's the short-fan variety with three screws, and I've been through all my screwdrivers, but I cannot find anything that will take.

I'm really hoping I don't have to try the 'melt the tip of a bic pen' thing.

Has anyone else had this problem?

Admin edit: Added PIC warning

[sjthinkpader]

You need a new #1 Phillips tip. It may seem it takes a #0 but they are designed for #1 tips. The MB will come of of the case with the fan attached. The three screws go into a catch plate under the MB.

[erik21]

You need a new #1 Phillips tip. It may seem it takes a #0 but they are designed for #1 tips. The MB will come of of the case with the fan attached. The three screws go into a catch plate under the MB.

I didn't know that - I got it out without having to detach it. Thank you!

I'm substituting an R5x board for a T40 board. Would you happen to know what size the hex studs are on the bracket that holds the parallel port in (on the R5x?)?

[sjthinkpader]

...Would you happen to know what size the hex studs are on the bracket that holds the parallel port in (on the R5x?)?

5mm

[sjthinkpader]

You need a new #1 Phillips tip. It may seem it takes a #0 but they are designed for #1 tips....

Here is the collection of #1s for working on Thinkpads.



The two tips on the left were picked up in Tokyo's Akihabara electronic market after finding the Home Depot variety would not fit in some screw holes. They are made with very hard steel and would not slip easily. The left most one is actually a #0 for some screws.

[RealBlackStuff]

Strange. I use a #0 for any and all Thinkpads, T2x, T30, T4x, R5x, T6x.
I have two, one made by Stanley and the other by Draper.
The only ever oddball was a 701c Butterfly, that requires T1 and T6 Torx screw drivers.

[sjthinkpader]

Sure #0 tip works. But they just doesn't fit tightly and slips easier, especially on tight screws. #1 tip works much better.

Some machines built by vendors such as X2x (LG) use #0 head screws.

For a few years IBM field techs use Milwaukee screw drivers and now they are required to use manual screw drivers. Of all my #1s, favorite is a German brand called Thorsen. But even the best will eventually wear out.

[sjthinkpader]

Bought a computer from eBay with a stripped screw head. Here is the ultimate way to get the screw out:



Bench drill press is better than hand drills. The bit is about the same diameter as the screw body.

[erik21]

Grr. I ordered a 5mm hex stud driver and it's much too wide to fit into the narrow passage around the bolts. What make of driver specifically do you guys use?

[sjthinkpader]

For the T4x series, you have to remove the back sub-frame and the MB from the case with hex bolts intact. I use a Craftsman 5mm driver.

[TKuser]

I had the exact same problem. None of my screwdrivers (incl. typical #0's) would get those fan screws out.

I went and borrowed every screwdriver I could get my hands on, and in the end this freebie screwdriver with a tigerdirect ad on it turned out to be the most perfect screwdriver for my Thinkpad I ever could have imagined...and it got my fan screws right out. It's wider and less pointy than #0.

[erik21]

For the T4x series, you have to remove the back sub-frame and the MB from the case with hex bolts intact. I use a Craftsman 5mm driver.

Oh, sorry, I meant for the R51. I just cannot get this thing out. The point at which it's attaching to the motherboard, according to the hardware maitainence manual, is the hex studs...although I don't know whether I need to get the I/O bracket out also.

Thanks,
erik