R32 display cover replacement gone very wrong...

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lparsons · #1 Post by **lparsons** » Thu May 22, 2008 8:39 pm

I had a crack growing in the cover for the LCD on my R32, so I ordered a replacement from a seller on ebay. The replacement looks great, but the task of replacement just took a terrible, terrible turn for the worse.

I am following the IBM manual from their support website. I made it through the covers, the keyboard, the middle cover, etc... no problem.

Then I needed to remove the 4 screws for the LCD itself and things went horribly, horribly wrong. I don't know what kind of impact wrench was used at the factory, but I don't have a prayer at loosening those 4 screws. Indeed I broke off the head of one trying to turn it. One came most of the way out and then stripped (is now stuck in that position, neither in nor out). The heads of the other two stripped before they even moved.

I'm guessing other people have encountered this - how can I solve this? I now have three screws with heads that cannot be turned by anything, that are still in - and also the threads of the fourth. Is there another way to detach the LCD from the laptop so I can get these out?

lparsons · #2 Post by **lparsons** » Thu May 22, 2008 9:31 pm

It so happens I just recently bought a carbide tip for my dremel - I certainly didn't think I'd be using it for laptop repair, though. It is cutting through those [censored] stripped screws fairly well so far...

#3 Post by **Harryc** » Thu May 22, 2008 10:21 pm

I would also have suggested cutting the heads off then removing the screws once the LCD is out..just make sure to clean up all of the metal shavings. Those are bad mojo for the inside of an electronic device.

lparsons · #4 Post by **lparsons** » Thu May 22, 2008 10:39 pm

Harryc wrote:I would also have suggested cutting the heads off then removing the screws once the LCD is out..just make sure to clean up all of the metal shavings. Those are bad mojo for the inside of an electronic device.

Any tricks for pulling the cut screws out? I cut all the heads off, and now have 4 threaded screws (of differing lengths, no less) sticking up that need to get out of the way so I can put it back together. I tried pulling on them with a locking needle-nosed pliers, but they aren't turning (not that there is much room for turning).
I've read other postings where people say they're held in by lock-tite. This would seem to explain the evil blue goo that I see at the bottom of the screws. Is there a good anti-lock-tite solution I could use to banish this stuff? I have seen recommendations of using a soldering iron, but I don't have a working soldering iron at the moment.

#5 Post by **Harryc** » Thu May 22, 2008 10:41 pm

Yup, heat them up, but not hot enough to melt plastic

.

lparsons · #6 Post by **lparsons** » Fri May 23, 2008 4:37 pm

So I found a company that sells laptop parts on ebay that has screw sets for the R32 - same company I ordered the LCD cover from. I ordered those last night, though I'm not holding my breath for them to arrive on time.

I then did some digging around locally to see if I could come up with them sooner anywhere else. I found an unloved dell inspiron laptop that had screws with the same threads and diameter, though a little longer than ideal. I yanked 5 of the too-long screws from it, and we'll see what happens. The length difference wasn't enormous, but of course in the laptop we're dealing with really short distances.

I also checked with a local company that does computer repair - they even list thinkpad repair on their website. I brought in the screw I needed more of and then they came out with a lenovo screw for the same purpose. But of course as luck would have it, the lenovo thinkpad screws are narrower than the IBM thinkpad screws.

Gee... I never knew laptop repair would be such fun!

#7 Post by **Harryc** » Fri May 23, 2008 5:24 pm

Go to Sears and buy a Craftsman 0 x 2-1/2 Phillips screwdriver and you'll never strip a laptop screw again.

vanaya · #8 Post by **vanaya** » Fri May 23, 2008 7:20 pm

I use the same Craftsman screw driver, blue spin top. Definitely worth the extra few bucks.

lparsons · #9 Post by **lparsons** » Sat May 24, 2008 4:39 pm

Actually, I started with a P0 screwdriver for these screws.

The (expletive) (expletive) (plural expletive) from (expletive) (expletive) wouldn't move with a P0. That was how I started rounding them off. Then in desperation I moved to a P1, which finished the job of rounding them off. Then came the dremel, so I could at least detach the display bezel from the rest of the laptop.

Now I'm trying to apply heat via a soldering gun. So far, no good. The evil blue (actually maroonish-purple on these four) goo has laughed at me thus far. On one of them the goo actually broke into pieces, though it has yet to melt. And no screw is any closer to turning than it ever was before.

lparsons · #10 Post by **lparsons** » Sat May 24, 2008 6:28 pm

What would I need to do to replace the part that the screws are actually screwed into? Nothing I have done has done anything to get the remaining parts of the screws out - they just keep breaking rather than moving. I have applied heat and they have basically responded by becoming brittle.

However, even making them brittle is useless, since I of course cannot get the soldering gun down into the part where the threads are locked. I am considering trying to dremel all the way through them with my carbide bit, but I'm not sure that will leave any threads on the female portion to screw new screws into.

Does that part have a name? Or is it something that is attached to the motherboard? Looking through the IBM maintenance manual, I think it *may* be the I/O port bracket assembly, but the illustrations are rather ambiguous. Does anyone know for sure?

Just to clarify, I'm trying to figure out now how to replace the two parts where the four screws for the LCD cover screw in. The screws are hopelessly locked and I need to be able to replace that part so I can put the new cover in. None of the screws have heads on them anymore.

For those who are wondering, I actually made new slots in the screws with a dremel grinding wheel, and then tried to turn using the new slot. The screw responded by shattering.

Frankly, I am thinking this may be time to just junk the whole works and buy a new laptop. This R32 is on the order of 6 years old. Maybe this is why I have been receiving robo-calls from a company that buys old laptops for parts salvage.

#11 Post by **Harryc** » Sat May 24, 2008 6:48 pm

I'd be very surprised if the LCD asm. didn't bolt directly into the bottom base frame. Nothing else would provide the required support. You can find bases very cheaply from EBay, or you can post a request for one in the marketplace forum here.

R32 base on EBay

lparsons · #12 Post by **lparsons** » Sat May 24, 2008 7:21 pm

Harryc wrote:I'd be very surprised if the LCD asm. didn't bolt directly into the bottom base frame. Nothing else would provide the required support. You can find bases very cheaply from EBay, or you can post a request for one in the marketplace forum here.

R32 base on EBay

Good find, but based on the picture on that ad, that is *not* the right part. The LCD assembly uses two pairs of two screws, that are of course near the back of the system. And there are no corresponding holes in that picture that would work for that.

One way I can tell that for sure is that the two screws on the left (near the middle cover) screw in *above* the rear usb port. And on the picture from that ad, there is nothing above the rear usb port.

Does anyone know the name for the part I need?

vanaya · #13 Post by **vanaya** » Sat May 24, 2008 9:16 pm

Fortunately, there is a bracket (silver) that the lcd assembly screws into. This bracket also holds down the mb to the bottom case. I have one that I can take a picture of and link here. The one I have readily available is for an R40 but the R30/1 is very similar. I'm not sure how similar it would be to the R32? This bracket does not have an FRU# number on it. None of the HMM show this part clearly.

lparsons · #14 Post by **lparsons** » Sat May 24, 2008 9:43 pm

vanaya wrote:Fortunately, there is a bracket (silver) that the lcd assembly screws into. This bracket also holds down the mb to the bottom case. I have one that I can take a picture of and link here. The one I have readily available is for an R40 but the R30/1 is very similar. I'm not sure how similar it would be to the R32? This bracket does not have an FRU# number on it. None of the HMM show this part clearly.

Yes, I think we are referring to the same bracket. On the R32, its really two separate brackets, each with two screw holes in it.

The one closer to the mid cover (and hence over the rear USB port) is positioned essentially all the way to the rear of the system.

The one closer to the AC adapter plug is inset about 1/2" - 3/4" from the rear.

I presume that they use the same length screws (at least the HMM says they do) though of course I'll never see the original screws intact.

Did you find a way to detach these brackets from whatever they are anchored to? On my system it seems like there is a pop rivet holding the bracket on the right to something else. I cannot clearly see what holds the other one in. I'm considering removing the motherboard to get a closer look at the works.

#15 Post by **Harryc** » Sat May 24, 2008 9:43 pm

Maybe this is what you want -
Bad R32 Mobo on EBay

vanaya · #16 Post by **vanaya** » Sat May 24, 2008 9:52 pm

Yup, I think it is what you need. If you can update your location. Maybe I can help. I just have to double check my misc. screw cup to see if I have them.

EDIT: Sorry for the bad news, but I don't have an extra set. The parts R40 base I bought didn't have a set.

vanaya · #17 Post by **vanaya** » Sat May 24, 2008 10:24 pm

I just found this that might be better with hinges and screen Item #230254211250 for about the same price. By the picture can't see the exact screws but you can email them to be sure.

lparsons · #18 Post by **lparsons** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:50 am

I think that auction is what I'm looking for. I just sent the seller an email to make sure, because I saw other ebay listings for the LCD side of the hinge, and of course I need the system side of the hinge.
Of course, I may need to figure out the hinge removal on my own, since I don't see anything in the IBM manual for doing that. But I think that may be the least of my problems at this point. We'll see what that seller gets back to me with - it may end up being the difference between getting this poor laptop going again and tearing it down to pieces to sell off individually to raise money towards a new system.

#19 Post by **Harryc** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:55 am

You seem like a pretty determined guy, I'm sure you'll have no problems once you get the parts. Good luck.

lparsons · #20 Post by **lparsons** » Sun May 25, 2008 8:55 am

Thank you, we'll see what I hear back from the ebay seller. I'm a little disappointed (largely in myself) that I will be traveling on Thursday and I'll have to leave my thinkpad behind, since I doubt I can get two halves of a laptop through airport security without trouble.

Although I'll be traveling from a city with limited technical supply availability (Syracuse, NY) to one with very extensive technical resource (Minneapolis, MN), so it is tempting to try to jerry-rig something to make it resemble a working laptop through the scanners. I suppose I could even re-assemble it, with the hard drive removed, and then just put it in checked baggage.

Though I was just looking at the lenovo website, and the T61 ( 6465CTO ) looks awfully tempting at $817.50... I may have to start saving my pennies when I get home.

vanaya · #21 Post by **vanaya** » Sun May 25, 2008 9:49 am

Hang tight though. I slept on it and that bracket is not included in the auction I listed. The bracket is one piece not two. Let me take a picture of it so you can see. And get some rear view images to compare.

EDIT: I cut and pasted the images from the HMM's of the rear views and put them on a word doc. They are not the same, the fan vents are a bit more to the inside than the R30/1 and r40. The reason for all this was to see if the extra part that I have would benefit you.

But not sure how to post the images? Do you have an email that I can send this to?

lparsons · #22 Post by **lparsons** » Sun May 25, 2008 1:46 pm

I sent you my email address in a private message.

Did you figure out how to remove the bracket? I can't figure out an obvious way (at least based on the HMM) for doing this.

vanaya · #23 Post by **vanaya** » Sun May 25, 2008 2:24 pm

Looking at the base of both of mine, and the keyboard bezel is 1 piece. In order for you to take off the bezel, you need to remove the lcd. The keyboard bezel has square cut-outs for the hinges to fit into. Look at this bezel. I suppose you could carefully brake the bezel so you can take it off while the hinges are still in place. Brake it off on the left side right by the hinge and angle it out. The right side is a bit difficult as the side that you would have to brake is a bit thicker and would have to brake it in 2 places. If you are interested in this route, I would be glad to send you more pics. Let me get OR table ready

.

lparsons · #24 Post by **lparsons** » Sun May 25, 2008 10:20 pm

Just to make sure I'm reading your message right, did you say the bracket it connected to the keyboard bezel? I haven't removed the keyboard bezel on mine yet, though I suspect that the bracket I'm fighting is attached somewhere other than the bezel. As was mentioned before, it needs to be attached to something very sturdy, since it bears the weight of the hinge itself on those four screws.

I think tomorrow I will follow through with the instructions for removing the motherboard, and see what I find.

I also see a few ebay ads for the motherboard, with the CPU and keyboard bezel included (essentially the lower half of the laptop, minus keyboard, RAM and optical drive). So that might also be an option, since those should have the bracket.

Though I must say, the T60 is looking awfully tempting. And since I can now either get it without paying the microsoft tax, or get a closeout model straight from lenovo (brand new either way), it might be time to retire this poor old system.

I'm not sure if I can squeeze a few more years out of this system or not (I have about another 3 left on my PhD ). So it might not be a bad idea to replace it now before things get really crazy. I will say though - especially after watching my colleagues replace dells and hps like potato chips - that the R32 will certainly be replaced with another thinkpad.

vanaya · #25 Post by **vanaya** » Mon May 26, 2008 5:29 pm

The bracket is screwed on the MB and base by the 4x5mm hexnut screws. Then on the inside the MB is held on by 2 screws from the cd/dvd drive cage, 2 from bus card cage, 1 from HDD cage/sled, and 1 from speaker screw. So it attaches at various points to support the lcd assembly. The keyboard bezel does not attach to the bracket itself. But you do need to remove it before you can do anything. Thats why I mentioned carefully braking it a 3 different points. I'll send the pics in a few minutes.

lparsons · #26 Post by **lparsons** » Mon May 26, 2008 7:31 pm

Aha, that's the information I needed on getting that bugger out of there. I'll have to try it myself shortly.
I noticed there was a marketplace listing here, someone selling parts from an R32. I contacted him and he's willing to sell me the bracket from his - he sent a picture and it is a match for sure. I think I'll go that way, rather than doing creative fracturing ...

Thanks for your help, I think you've saved me quite a bit of money (I almost hit the order button for a new T60).

vanaya · #27 Post by **vanaya** » Tue May 27, 2008 2:08 pm

If I had not seen the MP ad, I would have attempted the creative fracturing. A+ for the good searching! I took a good look at the bracket and notice the slight difference between the R3x and the R40 that I have, is the lid switch screws (single screw hole) into the bracket just left of the right hinge screws holes. On the R40 bracket there is no screw hole. The switch is now on the motherboard.

Good luck and if you don't have patience, take a break. It will all work out in the end. I'll be on the look out for the follow-up post!!

lparsons · #28 Post by **lparsons** » Tue May 27, 2008 4:04 pm

Well, if the bracket doesn't show up tomorrow (Wednesday) then I'll be boarding a plane the day after (Thursday) without my laptop, and I guess I will therefore by default be taking a break from it

Which could be just as (financially) dangerous, since I'll be visiting a location with far better options for used laptops and parts.

R32 display cover replacement gone very wrong...

R32 display cover replacement gone very wrong...

thinkpad screws...

disaster gets bigger...

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