Thinkpads Forum

Hi,

I've got stuck keyboard screw in my T530 - photo. Screw is totally stuck - I tried everything (epoxy-glue, torx, 2mm reverse-thread bit), how could I now remove keyboard? Is it possible to remove keyboard if I drill only the head of screw, or I have to drill out whole screw?
https://forums.lenovo.com/lnv/attachmen ... G_0275.JPG

I really appreciate any help you can provide.

You're ****Expletives removed by Moderator*****.

Maybe try to grab the edges with a needle nose pliers?

I just had to drill deeper holes into stripped screws that hold the heatsink over a T420 CPU. Not fun! Then I used a torque bit to mostly unscrew them the normal way. Good luck.

Get a Dremel with a cutting disc like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/162172184228
Cut a small groove in the screw, in line with the grooves on the black laptop-part near that hole.
Then use a straight screwdriver to remove the screw.

And next time please read the Forum Rules of the Road before you post such a huge picture!
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=14339

TPFanatic wrote: Maybe try to grab the edges with a needle nose pliers?

I tried..

TPFanatic wrote: I just had to drill deeper holes into stripped screws that hold the heatsink over a T420 CPU. Not fun! Then I used a torque bit to mostly unscrew them the normal way. Good luck.

Drill bit size? 1mm?

RealBlackStuff wrote:Get a Dremel with a cutting disc like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/162172184228
Cut a small groove in the screw, in line with the grooves on the black laptop-part near that hole.
Then use a straight screwdriver to remove the screw.

With this method i could damage plastic bottom cover...

RealBlackStuff wrote: And next time please read the Forum Rules of the Road before you post such a huge picture!
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=14339

Sorry about that...


I am wondering if its possible to remove keyboard if i only drill head of this screw... Thread is located only in keyboard part.

Just be VERY careful not to go too deep.
Any "damage" will be covered when you put the RAM-lid back on.

If you want to drill, it's an M2 x 14mm screw, so a 2mm drill should do it.

But, why is it stripped? Could the threads have seized?
Have you considered using some penetrating oil to free it up?

Try the rubber band trick first. If it doesn't work then substitute the rubber for a small patch (thicker might be better, too) of duct tape over the screw. The tape is durable, rip resistent, and has a strong adhesive. With the right preassure you might be able to remove the screw. Otherwise, I'd try the superglue and then rotary method.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEZyUzt8xys

The cheap screws that Lenovo uses nowadays don't have ANY of the quality that IBM-screws had, that's why.
I've noticed that the "cross" in Phillips screwheads, as used on newer Lenovo machines, is less deep than say 3-4 years ago.
Easy to now bork such a lousy screw...

bit_twiddler wrote:But, why is it stripped? Could the threads have seized?

I did it It was impossible to unscrew. I used PH0 screwdriver. About three attempts and here you go...

bit_twiddler wrote: Have you considered using some penetrating oil to free it up?

The screw is about 2cm long it will be ineffective.

brchan wrote:Try the rubber band trick first. If it doesn't work then substitute the rubber for a small patch (thicker might be better, too) of duct tape over the screw. The tape is durable, rip resistent, and has a strong adhesive. With the right preassure you might be able to remove the screw. Otherwise, I'd try the superglue and then rotary method.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEZyUzt8xys

I wrote that i was trying every possible method with no results also with rubber band and glue... Screw is totally stuck.

RealBlackStuff wrote:The cheap screws that Lenovo uses nowadays don't have ANY of the quality that IBM-screws had, that's why.
I've noticed that the "cross" in Phillips screwheads, as used on newer Lenovo machines, is less deep than say 3-4 years ago.
Easy to now bork such a lousy screw...

Thats true, the corss is not enough deep and quality of screws is poor.

Probably I have to drill it...

Small screws are easy to strip not quality thing especially with Philips head.
Get a drill bit with power drill and drill just enough that head comes off only, then shove the keyboard hard enough that screw gets tipped sideways and pry front edge to free keyboard tabs from bezel and lift up. You might ruin the keyboard or save it. Then get vise grip and straighten boss upright then twist the old screw out. Keyboard will keep in place via the one screw securing the memory cover.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection