Thinkpads Forum

Somehow it appears that two tiny screws, that hold the left (wider) display/top hinge into the base of my T61P, have gone AWOL. I have no idea how to get in there to replace them, since the display blocks all access to the hinge base, so I'm guessing I have to pull the bezel, unmount the entire display? and then get access the hard way.

But before I do that, does anyone have any idea what the size/thread/pitch of those screws are? Or if something obscure like that can be ordered from Lenovo for a reasonable fee?

I have the screws you need, but perhaps you should show me a photo because your description is very confusing. For example, your talking about the hinge screwing into the base. There are two screws on each side that attach the hinge to the base. One is on the bottom of the laptop and is very easy to access, the other requires removal of the upper keyboard bezel (speaker cover).

However, I think you may be substituting terms and may mean screws that attach the hinge to the "lid", not the base, but I really can't tell by reading your post, so I suggest a photo.

I could drop them in the mail to you and let you decide what you feel is fair payment for the parts and the time involved. Send me a PM with photo and your mailing address.

Tuus, Thank you for the offer.

If I took a photo without a fiber-optic illuminator I think you'd just see black.

Raise the lid of a T61P, look at the lid and keypad. On the left side is the wide hinge of the two that join the display and base unit. For about 5/8" (a bit more than one cm.) there is a metal piece showing to the left of the hinge, on the top of the base unit, inaccessible in the space to the left of the hinge. There are two small holes in that metal plate, each perhaps 1.5mm wide. It looks like each had to have a tiny screw in it, holding that plate (which is part of the hinge assembly) into the base of the computer.

You do not have to see the bottom of the computer to see these, you just have to squint down into the "crack" between the lid and the base. There's no was to access those screws without some disassembly, presumably requiring removing the display bezel and then the display unit itself from the hinges. Removing the keyboard bezel, including the section that forms the speaker "covers", looks like it will only remove the section that is NOT obstructed by the hinges and display itself.

Removing the speaker cover (which is integral to the keyboard bezel in this model) does not look like it will provide any access on the T61P, the speaker cover does not extend into that area. And I am not talking about any screws that attach the hinge to the lid/display, these screws attach it to the base, i.e. the laptop body not the display.

If this still seems confusing...I would have to guess you are looking at a different model, different assembly?

I have several of them here that are dissembled, I'll take some pictures as soon as I get to the office, but from memory, I think the holes your looking at are allignment holes, not screw holes.

There is one screw on the left hinge that enters from the bottom of the chassis, and looking from the top, it may look like an empty hole. A second screw enters from the top, and I believe there is a third hole that slides over a pin.

I can clear this up with some photos, so give me a few hours and I'll reply.


ps. if the reason you suspect screws missing is because of excessive play in the hinges, then understand this is a common problem, it's just not a very well designed hinge and this is normal wear n tear. Lenovo does replace them under warranty even though it is wear n tear.

Alignment holes makes sense. That left hinge can pop up almost 1/4" though. Which leaves? Something inside broken?

Both screws would need to be missing if that was the cause of the problem. You can easily check the bottom screws, see their location on this photo.

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/5142/b ... ssmall.jpg

If the screw is present and tight, then you must be dealing with a broken hinge. I do have some, but you can get brand new hinges shipped from Asian sellers for about $25usd, so I can't see any reason to pull/ship a used set.

I'll still get you the photo of the lower hinge so you know what to look for on the inside, and it's also possible you have a broken frame (rollcage). In that case I can help you, but it's not a simple part you can replace, it involves complete disassembling of the laptop.

THANK YOU TUSS!

It was indeed simply the "display screw" as per your picture. Somehow, one of those went AWOL and I never noticed the hole was empty. I temporarily stole a screw from one of the palmrest positions, figuring the hinge is more likely to take damage than "just" the body of the case.

Which leaves me to ask, would you know the correct size/pitch of that display screw? That seems like something I might be able to find a supplier for. Somewhere.

Ok, here are the pics I promised...


http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/3406/img0300kr.jpg
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3273/img0301bc.jpg
http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/255/img0302m.jpg
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/692/img0303q.jpg


If you look at the pic of the underside of the hinge, you can see the bottom (threadded) screw hole, the top (beveled) hole, and the two others that are for alignment. The frame (rollcage) has two pins that this hinge fits down on, and two screws that hold the hinge in place.

If your's is loose, then either you have missing screws, broken hinge, or broken frame.

Screws I will send you, hinges I do have, but since all used hinges tend to have play in them, I'd just buy new ones.

If you need the frame, $20 will due and shipping to any of the 48 states would be covered by $12 or less. I included a picture of a frame I have, it's for a 15.4" widescreen and will fit a T61 or T61p. I also have one for a 14.1" widescreen model.


ps. I've been trying to get a seller in hong kong to ship me a quantity of hinges, but they want $9 each just for shipping. I guess it's a culture thing, but they don't seem to have a concept of combined shipping over there. I cannot and will not believe that it would cost $90 to ship me ten of them, and only $9 to ship one, so I'm not inclined to keep them in stock until I find a more reasonable seller. If anyone knows where I can get new hinges cheap, please let me know.

ps. looks like we were posting at the same time lol

You must need a top screw and a bottom one both. I can't imagine how both would mysteriously dissappear... but I can send them to you.

I do have micrometers and thread pitch tools to measure them, but I also have plenty of screws and it would save you a lot of work and money, and me a lot of effort if I send you the screws.

PM me your name and address and you can decide what they are worth, , but I'd be happy with the postage it costs me.


ps. I'll check to be sure, but I think the display screw is slightly shorter then the palmrest screw. The top screw is much shorter and is beveled.