Most painful TP repair or upgrade - for me, X2x latches!

[underclocker]

Just had to report this one...

I recently had to swap out the LCD lid latches on a ThinkPad X2x and I can't think of any repair or upgrade that I've done that was more frustrating, unsatisfying or complicated. IBM must have figured that they'd never break.

Anyway, to change the latches, a $5 plastic part, I had to remove the LCD bezel, LCD, UltraPort connector and lid cover, then figure out how to unclip the broken latches (not easy).

Bottom line, you have to remove 14 screws, seven screw cover stickers, two plastic clips, the LCD, UltraPort connector w/the ThinkLight, and the lid cover just to get at the latches. Then you have to be careful for the springs which can shoot several feet in any direction when you remove the old latches or replace them with new ones...boooiing!

It took me several minutes under a bright light just to figure out how to remove the latch clips. They are secured with a srew (!) and a clip. You need a tiny flat headed screwdriver to remove the clip. Be careful and watch out for the spring!

And, I took a shortcut by not removing the entire LCD assmebly first. That would have been another dozen+ screws, the keyboard, keyboard bezel, and hinge covers!

Anyway, I've swapped motherboards faster, this was no fun at all.

Can anyone think of a worse ThinkPad repair or upgrade procedure?

[jdhurst]

I put a hinge in my T41 and on the way by, the latches came apart. With more luck than skill, I was able to re-connect them, and they are fine. But I do agree with your story. ... JDH

[gator]

If you think X2x was hard, look at LCD replacement for the T6x ... I tried it once and gave it up halfway and put everything back together. I heard that the T61s are even harder with the rollcage.

[virge]

For me, upgrading the memory in my 770X was the most annoying procedure. I still can't believe that to reach the third memory slot you have to remove the motherboard.

I've also done a latch replacement on my X23. This was technically difficult, but I forgive IBM for the design because it's probably not a common procedure. The 770X memory on the other hand... WHY did they not just make the memory cover bigger!?