Cracked R51 case near hinge and Lenovo warranty

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wildchild · #1 Post by **wildchild** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 5:53 pm

Hello,
I sent my ThinkPad R51 for repair two weeks ago about a LCD problem and a cracked case base. I just got some update about the repair status and they told they will replace the LCD but they charge me $145 to replace the base, telling me that there is no known manufacture defect on this model. When I looked at the crack, I noticed that it separated by around 1 milimeter when I lift the lid and it stays separated as long as the lid is lift. The crack is clearly caused by the pressure of the hinge on the plastic. The notebook is still under warranty. What should I do/tell them? This notebook is in perfect condition with no scratch/mark, is has never been dropped nor hit. I think this is unfair to charge me for this replacement after I paid the big price for the 3 years warranty...

Here a picture of the crack:

http://picasaweb.google.ca/picasawildch ... 6796623314

sjthinkpader · #2 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:20 pm

Yes, there is no known design defect that would cause this crack in the base. So warranty would not cover it.

There is a third screw that secure the left hinge to a long metal bar that goes all the way to the front edge. Is that screw missing?

wildchild · #3 Post by **wildchild** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:00 pm

I don't know about this screw. I bought this notebook new and I never opened the case. I understand that there is no known defect but still, this crack happened and it really seems it's related to the pressure the hinge does on the plastic when the lid is being lifted and is in the lifted position.

sjthinkpader · #4 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:03 pm

That third screw and the long bar prevents the hinge from putting undue pressure on the case bottom. If the screw is missing or loose, then the hinge will press backward from opening the cover.

wildchild · #5 Post by **wildchild** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:28 pm

Then would it be considered as a manufacture defect is the screw came loose or is missing, if I never opened the case? I'm really ready to do everything to make them repair it under warranty. My notebook is currently at a Flextronic repair center.

sjthinkpader · #6 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 12:32 am

Not know whether the screw is missing makes it impossible to postulate what had actually happened.

wildchild · #7 Post by **wildchild** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:28 am

I got a follow-up about my case today. They said it was escalated to customer care team at Lenovo. Any experience with them?

goofyGAguy · #8 Post by **goofyGAguy** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 8:37 pm

sjthinkpader wrote:Yes, there is no known design defect that would cause this crack in the base.

I'm not so sure. I handle my R51 like a Faberge egg and I have a crack in the exact same place.

wildchild · #9 Post by **wildchild** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:13 pm

It's good to know! How old is your R51? Still under warranty? Can you take a picture of your crack?

Thanks!

goofyGAguy wrote:
sjthinkpader wrote:Yes, there is no known design defect that would cause this crack in the base.

I'm not so sure. I handle my R51 like a Faberge egg and I have a crack in the exact same place.

sjthinkpader · #10 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:15 pm

I have a number of these in use and so far so good. There is a parts machine I bought with this crack.

I would make sure that third screw is tight.

goofyGAguy · #11 Post by **goofyGAguy** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:20 pm

wildchild wrote:It's good to know! How old is your R51? Still under warranty? Can you take a picture of your crack?

Thanks!

LMAO. There's a joke there somewhere, but I think I'll leave it alone.

My R51 was built in June '04, so no warranty.

wildchild · #12 Post by **wildchild** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:00 am

sjthinkpader wrote:I have a number of these in use and so far so good. There is a parts machine I bought with this crack.

I would make sure that third screw is tight.

As I said, I cannot verify as my machine is currently at Flextronic's repair center. I'm now waiting for a call from Lenovo's customers care service...

wildchild · #13 Post by **wildchild** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:01 am

goofyGAguy wrote:
wildchild wrote:It's good to know! How old is your R51? Still under warranty? Can you take a picture of your crack?

Thanks!

LMAO. There's a joke there somewhere, but I think I'll leave it alone.

My R51 was built in June '04, so no warranty.

It wasn't a joke. It could still have been under warranty. Is it possible to get a picture anyway?

Thanks

goofyGAguy · #14 Post by **goofyGAguy** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 7:56 pm

Sorry wildchild. The line about taking a picture of my crack made me chuckle.

I'll try to take a pic of the crack in my ThinkPad and email it to you if you PM me your address.

wildchild · #15 Post by **wildchild** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:57 pm

goofyGAguy wrote:Sorry wildchild. The line about taking a picture of my crack made me chuckle.

I'll try to take a pic of the crack in my ThinkPad and email it to you if you PM me your address.

Sorry about the misunderstanding! I should read myself twice before posting!

I was indeed talking about the crack on your ThinkPad.

Cracked R51 case near hinge and Lenovo warranty

Cracked R51 case near hinge and Lenovo warranty

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