Thinkpads Forum

I have a 15" (non-wide) T60 machine, which exhibits some play in the left hinge. Perhaps owners of a similar machine will be able to tell me if it is normal or not.

Description:

Basically, if you place the laptop on a solid surface and tilt the LCD back and forth, you will notice that the base of the left hinge moves a bit with the LCD, while the right hinge stays firm.

Also, if you place your thumb on the lower left corner of the LCD bezel, and push the LCD forward, while holding the back of the base firmly with your index and middle fingers, you will see that the LCD moves back ever so slightly. A similar experiment with the right corner of the bezel yields no motion whatsoever.

I don't know if it is normal or not, and it certainly does not create any inconvenience for now. However, since I will be taking the laptop to service soon anyways, to replace the LCD panel (famous dark/bright specs inside screen issue), I can have the hinge(s) replaced at the same time.

What do you say?

There are two screws on the bottom below the hinge. I tightened them as much as I could, but it didn't help. I guess I'll just have to point their attention to the hinge play and ask to tighten/replace it.

I had this problem for awhile, even with tightening the screws.

However, a week ago I realized that if I moved the LCD to a different position, I could tighten the screws a bit more (I forget which position it was in). That seemed to help a lot, and now I'm back to the same hinge-play I had when I bought it--that is, a bit of a wiggle, but the hinges holding firm.

Might try giving that a go--I've had my T60 for ~1.5 yrs now.

I don't seem to have this problem, however it's probably because I'm too worried about damaging anything by pushing on it

I could have sworn I posted in this thread earlier.

Hmm...

Anyways I have a 15" T60 which does not display the same issue you are experiencing. I did check the screws and everything appears to be nice and tight.

Hope you get it solved soon.

You posted in my other one, but someone definitely posted in this one, because I sure didn't make two consecutive posts... Weird.

Thanks for the tips, guys. I will try the screw game again, and if it does not help, I will point the issue out to the service people.

Found it.

Weird, indeed.

Why 2 threads?

The times I have seen this, the motherboard frame was cracked in the thin part above the VGA connector.

richk wrote:The times I have seen this, the motherboard frame was cracked in the thin part above the VGA connector.

Hmm....

Not a bad idea. Could one of you guys with the wobbly screens confirm or deny this? I'd check my T60, but alas it is functioning perfectly.

richk wrote:The times I have seen this, the motherboard frame was cracked in the thin part above the VGA connector.

Does not appear to be cracked (to the best of what I can see by lifting the keyboard bezel (without removing the bezel).

It seems to me that the hinge is just getting a bit loose, because my 14" T60 also exhibits some play in the left hinge, but much less.

I guess nothing to worry about just yet. When it is closer to the warranty expiration deadline, it will probably develop more play, and I will ask for the hinges to be replaced.

Well, since I took the laptop into service to replace the screen, I mentioned the hinge too. Looks like they did take care of it, because it is tight now. The report said that they had replaced the chassis, didn't say anything specific about the hinge, but who cares. As long as it works.

There is another screw for each hingie that can be accessed after taking the keyboard bezel off. At least on 14.1" T60. Maybe the left one got loose on yours.