Thinkpads Forum

My LCD has the dreaded "slop" in the hinges. It is in warrenty, but for $22 I would rather replace them myself and not lose it for a week+.

Has anyone replaced thiers? Any tips?

Also, there are 2 kinds listed. How do I know which one it the correct ones?

Thanks!

I just fit a set as part of my T61 to T61p upgrade this evening.

Originally I ordered both types (15.4") shown in the HRM, but neither were in stock.

I had a call from IBM parts on Monday and was told 45N4181 has replaced both previously listed FRUs.

They're easy to fit - just take care to follow the HRM directions to the letter.

Yours,
Peter

I have one comment about doing it yourself. If you are not familliar with working on the screen for that model, you should hestiate before doing it yourself. It can be difficult to get the screen apart and back together in a way that won't look like you "were in there". If there is a later problem with the screen where you need warranty repair, it can be awkward to need to explain why you didn't screw something up that caused the failure.

Rich:

What are the tricks to replacing the hinges so that everything goes back together properly, and are they the same for the 14" 4:3 T61p display? (Forewarned is forearmed!)

I don't think there are tricks. It is just easier the second time you do it. The T61 lid snaps together. It is easy to break the little tabs, even if you are careful.. It is hard to get the screw covers off in a way that they don't look like they have been removed. The T61 is actually easier to do than earlier ones because of the way the antenna is run.

I'll never forget a Brit. IBM service engineer in Utrecht (Holland) repairing my 755CE screen. He used a scalpel to remove the plastic screw-head covers. Has worked for me ever since...

Peter

I just had my hinges replaced by a local warranty service provider. I'd read several informative posts about this subject including some which state the latest part number is 45N4181. I was able to repeat the experience of those who were able to find a local warranty service provider and contacted that provider to arrange service with a fast turnaround in mind. In my case, I emailed the local service provider a brief email with links to a couple of informative posts about the problem and also the solution.

The local service provider emailed me back saying he could order the parts and when to expect them and I could then come in and they would do their best to fix it at that time. I arrived at the location (about 90 minute drive) about 30 minutes after expected delivery of the parts and about three hours later, they were done. I couldn't have asked for a faster turnaround.

I also want to include that the overall experience included a few bumps in the road. I did contact another local warranty service provider who was closer and at first agreed they could do this too. But after two days of not hearing back from them after the initial contact, they informed they could no longer do this. They stated their reason had to do with something about only working on older Thinkpad models. I wasn't as interested in understanding their reasons as I was in finding another service provider so I didn't pursue that further. Also the provider that eventually fixed this did forewarn me of the possibility of this taking longer if they find other parts needing service. Since the guy that actually performed the service told me afterwards that often a small piece breaks (probably something along the lines of small tabs mentioned by richk) which would have extended the overall service time, this is what I think was the reason for the forewarning.

So I suppose YMMV when choosing warranty service providers. A couple of things I think I can surmise is that one difference I saw between the service providers is the one that fixed my thinkpad seemed to cater to the public at large. They had a storefront and in fact I waited for the last half hour in their "waiting" area and watched at least four customers come in and drop off their laptops or desktops for service. The other provider, which I never actually visited, seemed to cater to corporations and provided other services to them (tech outsourcing, etc) and only did the warranty service on the side, so to speak.

So hope that helps anyone considering doing this. Now the "slop" is gone. I'd not really minded the slop until lately especially reading that the problem had a solution. Since I had the warranty, it was just a matter of finding a way to get it fixed with a quick turnaround.

My LCD hinges on a one-year old T61 got loose too, even if I mostly used my thinkpad as a desktop. They now have a "dead-spot" of about 2cm in moving.