Lid alignment repair

[CarrerCrytharis]

I recently called up Lenovo's support to have somebody fix my lid alignment problem (the left side of my 15" T60's lid doesn't align properly with the base when closed, so that it creaks and/or clicks when I press down on it). The person told me the parts to fix this are backordered, and gave me an order reference number. Later on, I received a call from a different person who said I had an order for a new system board.

This sounds wrong to me. Why should they need a new board to fix my lid alignment problem? Are the hinges connected directly to the board or something? Does this sound right to you?

They won't fix my machine till their parts arrive, and because I need to use my laptop a lot, I can't afford to send it away, so this might end up being an unnecessary delay. Do you think I should call them and tell them they seem to have made a mistake?

[z_24]

Hi,
I have the same problem as you. My 14.1" T60 lid doesn't align properly with the right side of base. Is this is a common problem or should I get it fix as well?

[axiom]

my 14.1 t60 when closed, the right side of the lid sticks a little more than on the left. is it normal?

[archer6]

my 14.1 t60 when closed, the right side of the lid sticks a little more than on the left. is it normal?

Yes this is nomal and not a fault.

If you look very carefully at the perimeter frame around the display you will see some very well engineered "guide tabs", one on each side of the display in the middle, and the unique design of the the upper corners which engage along with the tabs when closing the lid. Then if you look at the same perimeter area on either side of the keyboard you will see the "recievers" for these tabs. Small channels in which the tabs engage upon closing.

Finally, this tab and groove system is specifically designed to hold the display secure in the event that the laptop is dropped. ThinkPads are extremely well engineered and while not perfect the only time I would worry is if you have on that is significantly out of alignment and will not close and latch.

When closed each side is different, which is not a fault. They are simply different and supposed to be that way.

Believe me I'm as picky as anyone, and after years of ThinkPads I have always found the hinges as well as display alignment to be trouble free and very reliable over the long haul.

Cheers....

[gator]

the left side of my 15" T60's lid doesn't align properly with the base when closed, so that it creaks and/or clicks when I press down on it

Atleast every 15" T60 I have seen (5 till date) does this - the left side doesn't fit in as flush as the right side. I have slight creaking on my laptop too, and I worry every single time I open my laptop How well does your T60 latch? When you open the machine and lift it, do you have any trouble relasing the latch? If the action is smooth and there are no issues, don't bother about it.

I don't think your system board need to be replaced - it must have been a mistake. Don't fret about the call!

[archer6]

I have slight creaking on my laptop too, and I worry every single time I open my laptop

You mention a slight creaking, can you describe where this seems to be coming from? When does it occur? just as you begin to open the lid or as you open it further? Perhaps I can shed some light on this.

Cheers.....

[CarrerCrytharis]

How well does your T60 latch? When you open the machine and lift it, do you have any trouble relasing the latch? If the action is smooth and there are no issues, don't bother about it.

As it happens, the latch action is not always smooth -- sometimes it sticks halfway, when closing the lid.

If you look very carefully at the perimeter frame around the display you will see some very well engineered "guide tabs", one on each side of the display in the middle, and the unique design of the the upper corners which engage along with the tabs when closing the lid. Then if you look at the same perimeter area on either side of the keyboard you will see the "recievers" for these tabs. Small channels in which the tabs engage upon closing.

I'm pretty sure the left side guide tab is not aligning with its receiver, which is what causes the clicking.

By the way, thanks for all the help -- this is a great forum.

[archer6]

How well does your T60 latch? When you open the machine and lift it, do you have any trouble relasing the latch? If the action is smooth and there are no issues, don't bother about it.

As it happens, the latch action is not always smooth -- sometimes it sticks halfway, when closing the lid.

If you look very carefully at the perimeter frame around the display you will see some very well engineered "guide tabs", one on each side of the display in the middle, and the unique design of the the upper corners which engage along with the tabs when closing the lid. Then if you look at the same perimeter area on either side of the keyboard you will see the "recievers" for these tabs. Small channels in which the tabs engage upon closing.

I'm pretty sure the left side guide tab is not aligning with its receiver, which is what causes the clicking.

By the way, thanks for all the help -- this is a great forum.

Here are my thoughts, while very well designed, robust and long lasting, the latch itself on my ThinkPad(s) is not exactly silky smooth. However it closes with just a modest push downwards on the lid.

As you may have read earlier I also deploy hundreds of ThinkPads in my company. Not once in over a decade have I ever seen a latch or hinge fail. And believe me some of my younger employees confuse their ThinkPads for Frizzbees (not quite). But you get the point.

Regarding the misalignment you cite regarding the reciever, only you can be the judge here. I will offer my opinion on this: the precise reason for these receivers is to "guide" the tab into place. Sometimes on a brand new machine it does indeed produce a click. Also this click tends to last a very long time as the material does not wear away easily. However if you can live with it, I would highly suggest that you do. Only because in my experience, a) it will not get worse b) it will not cause any problems, other than a minor annoyance.

However once you know the ins and outs of it, usually you adapt and no longer find the clicking that big of an issue. It kind of falls into the catagory of if it's not broken, don't fix it.

Nothing is perfect, and I would much rather have a click that is of no consequence as compared to some other large and truly troublesome issue.

Cheers....,

[gator]

As it happens, the latch action is not always smooth -- sometimes it sticks halfway, when closing the lid.

I have the exact same issue on my laptop, and my friends BRAND NEW T60 has this issue too.

Here are my thoughts, while very well designed, robust and long lasting, the latch itself on my ThinkPad(s) is not exactly silky smooth. However it closes with just a modest push downwards on the lid.

This is why I have not acted on my laptop as yet - I think it is still new and that is why it behaves like this. I use my laptop docked at work with an external monitor and I think with time it'll become allright. FYI, the "creaking" occurs as I open/close down the lid, and appears to come from the left hinge. But once the lide is latched out the bottom, the action is smooth with no sound at all. Closing the lid needs an extra push on the left side to hear the click, and even after being closed, the left side can move 1-2 mm, and it creates a ratting kind of sound that bothers me.

[archer6]

This is why I have not acted on my laptop as yet - I think it is still new and that is why it behaves like this. I use my laptop docked at work with an external monitor and I think with time it'll become allright. FYI, the "creaking" occurs as I open/close down the lid, and appears to come from the left hinge. But once the lide is latched out the bottom, the action is smooth with no sound at all. Closing the lid needs an extra push on the left side to hear the click, and even after being closed, the left side can move 1-2 mm, and it creates a ratting kind of sound that bothers me.

I just had a thought to share. One thing for us to remember is that the carbon fiber chassis does indeed flex, although a very small amount depending on the suface it's sitting on, or if it's being coupled to a docking station.

Next is the fact that we have the newer extremely robust, expensive stainless steel hinges, which are precision machined with bushings inside. No other laptop in production comes with such stellar hinges.

Based on these new hinges which are significantly wider than prior models, there is extra friction involved. This is to insure that when open the display does not wiggle easily.

So in the final analysis, everything is a compromize and I'm happy to have the best hinge and latch system as opposed to perfect silence when opening and closing.

Cheers....