Thinkpads Forum

I know I should be in love with the trackpoint, but I can't help myself.

Check out the anatomy of the trackpack button:

(Click here to read my other thread)

See that metal rod on the underside of the button? It's held in place by to plastic "clips" -- shaped like the letter C -- where you snap the rod into place. The problem is, there's too much room for pressure when you press the button, so the unevenly distributed pressure of your finger will eventually wear down either the left, right, or both clips. Right now, when I press anywhere near the right edge of the left button, the left side of the botton will "pop" up; i.e., the rod pops out of the left clip. The sensation as well as the sound drive me CRAZY!

I must be overpressing the left button, because this is the second palm rest from Lenovo. I replaced the first one before the left trackpad button eventually became too soft (due to the same problem). If you are interested in buying my first palm rest, click here. It's a great replacement if you want to upgrade to a fingerprint reader, as you can easily replace the button with yours.

I don't want to have to replace my palm rest every time (you can't order just the button). My question is, is there a way I can seal that clip shut? So, from a "C" shape to an "O" shape, but still left that rod rotate inside the clip (i.e., movement is still allowed)?

Bump

If any of you know how to seal plastic (bondo?), that would be helpful. I'm a newbie when it comes to arts and crafts.

The best "repair" kit for plastic is a soldering gun! Use one with a sharp tip and use some scrap plastic that you can fuse to the existing structure. With a little practice, you can do very precise work and achieve the result you want. After the adventure with the soldering tip, you can "smooth" the rough edges of the work with a sharp X-ACTO knife or razor blade.

EOMtp wrote:The best "repair" kit for plastic is a soldering gun! Use one with a sharp tip and use some scrap plastic that you can fuse to the existing structure. With a little practice, you can do very precise work and achieve the result you want. After the adventure with the soldering tip, you can "smooth" the rough edges of the work with a sharp X-ACTO knife or razor blade.

I've always thought that soldering guns are for, well, solder! If I use it on plastic, won't it burn it or melt it (disfiguring it)?

A soldering gun is to plastic what a welder is to metal. For areas which are not seen, a soldering gun on plastic "repairs" like magic. Of course it melts the plastic (and burns also if it you are not careful) -- but that's the objective. If what I am saying does not sound right to you, then that, by definiton, should be your hint not to try it!

Hey all,

My T-60p has acquired the same problem - the left trackpad button is popping loose more and more.

I called Lenovo today, and they agreed to replace the entire palm rest assembly under warranty. At first they asked me to send the computer in (he said he would send me the shipping box), but I asked if there was another way, as I use it daily. They then agreed to send me another palm rest assembly.

They are back ordered a few weeks. Once I get the new one installed and working, I'll look into doing a repair on the old one if possible and post my results here.

KawaiDon wrote:Hey all,

My T-60p has acquired the same problem - the left trackpad button is popping loose more and more.

I called Lenovo today, and they agreed to replace the entire palm rest assembly under warranty. At first they asked me to send the computer in (he said he would send me the shipping box), but I asked if there was another way, as I use it daily. They then agreed to send me another palm rest assembly.

They are back ordered a few weeks. Once I get the new one installed and working, I'll look into doing a repair on the old one if possible and post my results here.

Good! So I'm not the only one. Let me know if they make you return your current palm rest. When I told them my problem, they didn't even question me, and they quick sent a new palm rest overnight! But they never asked me to send back my old one, nor did they include a shipping label.