W500 - broken hinge

[TPBigot]

I have an aging W500 with a broken internal hinge. I have purchased 2 sets of used hinges on eBay and both of them *seem* to be too stiff to me. I can't turn them easily with my bare hands. If I used rags I can turn them...but these things are awfully stiff. What I don't know is if they are TOO stiff? How stiff are brand new ones? Both sellers stated that they were working hinges pulled from working machines. I haven't tried to install them yet...I thought I would see if any of you had any good advice! Thank you in advance.

[Brad]

In my experience they are most likely normal.

It is difficult to get good leverage to make them move easily with your hands.

Brad

[brchan]

Turning hinges by hand should be quite difficult, although normal for decent hinges. New hinges tend to be quite stiff when installed, but tend to "break in" after a week or two and feel "normal".

[TPBigot]

Thank you both very much! I appreciate it. I didn't want to install these things and have them snap the frame. I'll give it a try next chance I get.

[emeraldgirl08]

Speaking of snapping the frame- is your frame intact around the fan area? I had a T500 which I was sure had zero problems until I went to clean the fan (with the keyboard off) and noticed that the thin bit of frame that runs atop the fan exhaust area was missing. I am fairly certain that at some point in the future that I would have wound up with a broken hinge and plastics around the left hinge area. Really wish Lenovo had put more thought into that area when designing the frame

[TPBigot]

Now that you mention the frame, I'm not 100% sure. Guess I won't know until I crack the case. I sure hope I don't also have that to contend with!

[RealBlackStuff]

If the ridge is broken, but otherwise still there, the best way to fix it is using JB Weld, plus putting in a new "link" parallel to the break.
Unfortunately the picture links in this post are no longer working, but the description should give you enough of an idea.
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=103507

[TPBigot]

Thank you very much! I hope to not need this but...it is great to have in case I do.