T400/T500/W500 Testimonies

[brchan]

I agree with 600X. T60 hinges seem to get slightly loose after a few months, but then stop degrading any further. In contrast I have had T61s where there would be more than an inch of play with almost no resistance.

The first real solid Lenovo hinges came with the X30*. All 15.6" T/W510 models and up have good hinges as well. They have a very similar design as 600X and 770 models and can be tightened. Unfortunately, the 14.1" 16:9 models (ex T410 - t430) still developed loose hinges (though not nearly as bad as T61 models). Good hinges on 14.1" machines didn't come until the T440 era. However, there may be an issue with slim models that have drop down hinges. For example, a few people have encountered cracked lids/bezels on T440s units.

[n2ri]

many times the loose hinge is due to the 'roll cage' frame they screw into being cracked/broken as its very thin at stress points and left side is weakest by the fan. a youtube 3 part fix shows how it takes 6hrs to replace that frame due to everything mounted to it. the big screen models are like this often due to weight and as posted above twisting lid/frame when opening or useing

[Cigarguy]

I have a couple of T61 15.4" screens that wobble. Do those need new hinges? I have two or three T500 models one had hinge problems but I tightened the hinges reducing the wobble significantly. The other is a gem of a T500 with strong hinges.

T61 wobbly hinges is pretty common and is considered by many as a design flawed, pretty much fixed with T400/T500. Wobbly hinges bothers some more than others. It drove me nuts so I ordered some nice tight replacements from TuuS who is always a great source and great to deal with.