Thinkpads Forum

Does anyone know if lenovo will replace hinges under the factory warranty? I've noticed recently that there is play in my lid / hinges. The hinges are tight, however there is some play developing.

Truthfinder wrote:Does anyone know if lenovo will replace hinges under the factory warranty? I've noticed recently that there is play in my lid / hinges. The hinges are tight, however there is some play developing.

Yes, they will replace it.

Some play is normal, and some is developed over time. Unless it is extreme they might a) not replace it, claiming that it is normal, b) replace it because you asked, but the new one will have the same play or the same play developed after a while.

How much play is in there? Do ou notice the keyboard bezel moving a little on the left side when you wiggle the display? If so, you have a busted magnesium frame. They probably won't replace it under warranty (they claim you would have had to have dropped it). If you let it go for too long, I am told that the other hings will fatigue the frame & break off too.

I eBayed a new frame for $75 & replaced it. My warranty had expired a month prior, though.

I think that the bolts/screws for mounting the hinges in the magnesium base are a bit too short to be perfect to take the torque from opening and closening the laptop for 100+ times without loosening.
They don't break (even though i think they're M1 and 5-6 mm) , but none of the three screws used in mine for tightening the hinges to the frame feature any threadlocking at all.
If the hinges do not have any play in them (make sure it is the hinges) borrow some threadlocker... Bet someone near you has some lying around somewhere. Loctite threadlocker 242 would do the trick.

I notice more screw unloosening in the left hinge, because it is secured with one screw to the frame only.

The hinges are nice and tight, ie: the screws are very secure. The play has to do with what I believe is some type of compression fitting in the center of each hinge, thus the lid has a bit of a wobble in it. My unit is three years old and it only used in my home, however, from opening and closing the lid several times a day over the three years has caused the above referenced play. This issue has only showed up over the past week or so.

I was just wondering that since I purchased a two year extended warranty that maybe Lenovo would replace the hinges. I know this is going to get worse if they are not changed. I would imaging if replaced I could get another three years before this happens again.

Any ideas

It's really hard to say what they will do, since i think you need to call them. It's worth a try, since the hinges have become defective and are getting worse.

If they won't repair it, a new hinge set costs either $11 or $17 (ex. VAT and $13 shipping) over here, so i guess the prices must be somewhat similar in the US. But if not installed by them, it would void all remaining warranty...

Troels wrote:But if not installed by them, it would void all remaining warranty...

What are they going to do, check the serial number of the hinges?

Vempele wrote:What are they going to do, check the serial number of the hinges?

Not sure what they do exactly, but i don't think that is recorded anywhere just yet. They can check for screws that look used (slightly chipped head), marks on the border of the lcd bezel near the display cable due to disassembly, etc.

my t60 developed hinge play after basically one and a half year. i would try fighting with them to get it replaced. and there is only one solution not to get it again - do not open and close your laptop as much.

I just returned my T60p to Lenovo because there was play in the screen hinges. Without any fuss, they replaced not only the hinges but the whole screen surround with a new one.