R51 with broken base cover

[at both ends]

I already have a 1836-QNU and was offered another for a bargain price, so jumped at it, figuring the parts might come in handy one day. As far as I can tell, the machine has not been altered from its original configuration and works fine except ...

The base cover is broken open at the rear left corner (maybe dropped; owner said not). The consequence is that the left LCD hinge pulls up the keyboard bezel and the display itself collapses out to about 150 degrees with the keyboard if tilted even slightly past vertical. I seem to recall other stories of left hinge problems, so maybe not so unusual.

Can I fix this myself or is it really only good for parts? If I can fix it, am I correct in thinking that the problem is with the base cover and not the hinge assembly? Last but not least, how do I find the right FRU part number, since Lenovo's R51 hardware maintenance manual does not list an 1836-QNx anywhere under the base cover section (page 162)? Am I too optimistic in thinking the part number listed for 1836-QCx through 1836-QLx (26R8073) would work?

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom.

[RealBlackStuff]

26R8073 seems the closest, and would certainly work.
From your description, a new/replacement base will do it. Hinges on an R51 rarely (if ever) break.
When you take the machine apart, try and tighten the hinges.
You can do this yourself, using the HMM.
Make a list with what screws come from where, and tape them next to the description.
Work your way backwards when reassembling.

[schen]

This type of break is pretty common among larger/heavier TPs. I just did a case bottom replacement on an R51 2 months ago for exactly the same issue in exactly the same place. What happens there is that although the spot is reinforced with metal underneith the plastic, if the corner is compromised (typically due to a drop that cracks the corner), the metal will progressively bend back every time the lid is opened getting worse over time.

So just go out and find a bottom in good shape, get the HMM as RBS suggested and make the swap. It's really not that difficult or time consuming. You won't even have to take the screen apart; just move it over in one piece.

[at both ends]

Thanks for the encouragement.

I had to wait a while for a base cover to appear on ebay and finally got a brand new one for $10 + shipping. Slow shipper meant it didn't come until I was away on a trip so that delayed things even more.

I got back home, picked up the parcel, disassembled per the HMM (every screw marked! thanks for that tip), and dropped it into the new base cover. The damage inside around the left hinge was extensive. The metal reinforcement at the left rear corner might as well be tinfoil for all the support it provides. I put all but two of the screws back in reverse order (these two were about an inch right of the GPU's heat sink and would not reseat; I figure no big deal as there are two others in between and everything is solid) and she was right as rain.

There is residual damage in the right hinge, the sort of thing that happens when you screw up one knee and limp around long enough to stress the other one.

Still, it's a really cheap R51 for me (although, as my wife says, "why do you need another one???") and the repair was a good learning experience.

[schen]

I might have a random right hinge lying about in a box if you need one. They aren't hard to replace, just a PITA!

[sjthinkpader]

That left side hinge rely on the long metal bracket that runs the length of the left edge under the palm rest. The single screw at the rear must be tight for it to lend support. Otherwise a loose screw will eventually let the left hinge break the plastic behind it.