Thinkpads Forum

I'm thinking about replacing the top lid cover of my T60; it's a little bit worn on the edges - replacing it with a new one it will make the laptop looking as new. I have read the T60's HMM - but this task looks like a tough one. I'm not very unexperimented - I replaced the palmrest, the wireless card and the fan assembly on my T41 - but I'm not sure if I can do it this time.

What were your experiences with this? Any recommendation?

I have no experience with the 14.1" - only the 15.0", but i assume they are very similar. The hardest part was to route the cables for wwan and wlan antennas correctly next to the lcd panel - but it is not really hard, it might just take a few tries.
In theory you could replace the lid, even if the hinges are not removed from the base, but i recommend following the HMM in this regard.

This might come in handy: http://www.lenovoservicetraining.com/io ... index.html
Under FRU Removals/Replacements, the "LCD" and "LCD Assembly" (in that order) are the most relevant videos.

Instead of removing the LCD bezel by lifting it off near the screen surface, i recommend using a sharp knife/blade, to put between lcd bezel and top cover, near the region where the LCD cable enters the lid - either to the left or right. This is safer than applying accidental pressure to the lcd, which is likely going to happen since the lcd is glued by a strip of tape to the lcd bezel, so it requires a bit of force to remove the bezel. Use as much as the blade you can (to avoid creating marks in the bezel), and twist it slightly.

If what you are talking about is just the Thinkpad rubberized exterior panel then it should be easy to replace (well if the T60 is similar to the T61.) I replaced the widescreen model outer lid yesterday and it was somewhat easy to take off, remove the 5 screws around the inner LID and then just close it and lift the back by the LCD ribbon. Popped up and came right off.

Now this is the T61 i did it on, i'll check the HMM for the T60 later to see if the procedure looks the same.

Short answer: Leave it alone!

Long answer:
You must remove the top part from the frame. That requires removing the keyboard, palm rest, and keyboard bezel. Then you must disconnect the LCD cable and all the antennas, remove the screws which hold the hinges on the base, and remove the top from the base.

After you disassemble the top completely, you must transfer the antennas to the new LCD cover, then replace the LCD panel with cable, plus the other parts, and replace the LCD bezel.

The fact that you have to move the antennas from the old case to the new case is what "complicates" this task. Note: The LCD cover kit, FRU #13N7135, contains both the LCD cover and the LCD bezel.

FYI, it is possible to swap a 14" T60 lid without removing the entire LCD assembly, but it's not easy. (You do not have to touch the lowers - the keyboard, palmrest and upper keyboard bezel stay secured.)

After removing 8 screw covers, 8 screws, and the LCD bezel, then one inverter screw and a Bluetooth module screw (if you have BT), you will basically be able to separate the LCD cover from the LCD panel and hinges.

It will still be connected by two wifi antennas, one WWAN antenna (if you have WWAN), and the ThinkLight. However, the ThinkLight can be unhooked and all of the antennas ends can be unscrewed. That would liberate the LCD cover from the machine.

To install the new cover, reverse the procedure.

Notes: it's best to snap a few pictures for reference after removing the LCD bezel since the antenna and LCD cable routing gets a little complicated. It is also a good idea to tighten the screws securing the LCD to the hinges, since they are always loose.