screws for T41

[thinkpad1]

I replaced my mini PCI wireless card and when I went about placing the palm rest back, I'm finding that not all the screws are there/here or at least, the 'number 3s' and 'number 4s' aren't all available.

I thought I would order some screws off of ebay and then I should be able to find the right sets and use what I need. I am not sure exactly what is what because all I have is the 'picture' on the botton of the Thinkpad T41 and the screws i set aside. But, there isn't enough of whatever I need (#3 and #4).

I also have the keyboard screws left.

I'm thinking the previous owner (aka the seller) swapped the network card and misplaced/lost screws and just put in what he had. I don't want to do that and I'm running out of screws anyway. There was already a couple screws missing.

Does anyone know of a good ebay seller to get these screws? Also, is there any sellers who categorize them so it's easy to know which screws is which number? Or are they already categorized in some box? HELP?

Btw, one of the screws doesn't have threads all the way down? I know I should have planned this better but I'm here now.

Can anyone suggest anything?

[sojourner]

perhaps this PDF made by one of the forum members can help:
http://nickpaton.fireflyinternet.co.uk/ ... _types.pdf

[Harryc]

Order from Lenovo
https://www-304.ibm.com/shop/americas/w ... PartNumber

or EBay -
http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_nkwZt4 ... R40QQ_mdoZ

Use the bottom of the Thinkpad screw diagram along with the maintenance manual -
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-46464

The part way threadless screw is shown on page 2 of the pdf linked in the previous post and is described as;
M2 x 14 Flat
Head Special
(2mm thread
length) Black

[thinkpad1]

perhaps this PDF made by one of the forum members can help:
http://nickpaton.fireflyinternet.co.uk/ ... _types.pdf

No, not really.

[poshgeordie]

Hi

I made the screws diagram because I had exactly the same problems as you in trying to identify what went where.

The best 'tool' to have around is a ruler to measure the screw lengths.

I replaced my mini PCI wireless card and when I went about placing the palm rest back, I'm finding that not all the screws are there/here or at least, the 'number 3s' and 'number 4s' aren't all available.

I thought I would order some screws off of ebay and then I should be able to find the right sets and use what I need. I am not sure exactly what is what because all I have is the 'picture' on the botton of the Thinkpad T41 and the screws i set aside. But, there isn't enough of whatever I need (#3 and #4).

Screw details:

#3: 2mm diameter (M2) x 10mm long (called an M2 x 10mm) flat head screw.
#4: M2 x 14mm round head screw.

and to complete the set:

#1: M2 x 4mm flat head screw.
#2: M2 x 5mm silver coloured round head screw - there's only one fitted on the TP and is at one end of the front lip.

I also have the keyboard screws left.

They are #3 M2 x 10mm flat heads.

Btw, one of the screws doesn't have threads all the way down? I know I should have planned this better but I'm here now.

That's the screw which secures the front palm rest to the keyboard bezel; referring to my diagram, it's on page 1 Section 2 Palm Rest, and is the M2 x 14mm "Flat Head Special, Black". As you say this has only 2mm length thread cut at the end to prevent damage by an exposed thread to the HDD or CD drives when they are removed or inserted.
It's the same as an ordinary M2 x 14mm screw otherwise but shouldn't be used elsewhere since the thread length may be insufficient to allow it to be fully tightened.

HTH and get back if you're still not sure about anything.

[thinkpad1]

Order from Lenovo
https://www-304.ibm.com/shop/americas/w ... PartNumber

or EBay -
http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_nkwZt4 ... R40QQ_mdoZ

Use the bottom of the Thinkpad screw diagram along with the maintenance manual -
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-46464

The part way threadless screw is shown on page 2 of the pdf linked in the previous post and is described as;
M2 x 14 Flat
Head Special
(2mm thread
length) Black

Page 2???

Thanks for all the ebay links! Is one seller (providing the score/feedback is 99 or more) as good as another? Anyone good in particular?

I have noticed some sets have screws that have been painted red near the bottom and other sets only have some screws with the red paint. Does that mean anything? The sets that have most screws with red are usually from HK.

I guess I'll have to eyeball and go by the measurements like these (e.g. M2 x 14) to know what will go where?

Thanks for more info!

[Harryc]

Eyeball? No, use a metric ruler. M2x14 is 14 mm long. Don't worry about the diameter, the main screws should all be 2mm in diameter.

[thinkpad1]

Eyeball? No, use a metric ruler. M2x14 is 14 mm long. Don't worry about the diameter, the main screws should all be 2mm in diameter.

Okay, but am I to assume I can find the measurements for each hole that I would need in the manual? I mean, is it listed in those pdfs that the user here created?

The problem is that the Lenovo manual lists the screws as #3 or #4 but I don't know which is which. Also, there are other screws that don't even have a 'number.' I just have to figure out which ones go there. When I order screws, I am guessing they'll all be in a bag or box. They won't be labeled?

Those pictures previously posted should help to some extent. But, there are a lot of screws to put back in for the palm rest and keyboard.

[rkawakami]

Measurements of each screw (e.g., M2x14) can indeed be found in the Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM), as previously referenced here. The #1, #2, #3 and #4 designations are for simply identifying the relative length differences between them. You're not supposed to install a #4 screw in a hole that's labeled #1, for example. The HMM diagrams which show the screws to be removed/installed are NOT labeled using the same numbering system as seen on the bottom of the laptop; they're STEP numbers. But if you look at the table below the diagram, each screw is identified and the quantity of them listed.

If you get any used screw set for the T4x system off of eBay, I'm willing to bet that they're not going to be separated into individual bags according to size. Just grab a metric ruler/vernier caliper and measure them.

[thinkpad1]

Measurements of each screw (e.g., M2x14) can indeed be found in the Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM), as previously referenced here. The #1, #2, #3 and #4 designations are for simply identifying the relative length differences between them. You're not supposed to install a #4 screw in a hole that's labeled #1, for example. The HMM diagrams which show the screws to be removed/installed are NOT labeled using the same numbering system as seen on the bottom of the laptop; they're STEP numbers. But if you look at the table below the diagram, each screw is identified and the quantity of them listed.

If you get any used screw set for the T4x system off of eBay, I'm willing to bet that they're not going to be separated into individual bags according to size. Just grab a metric ruler/vernier caliper and measure them.

Okay, thanks. 'Will do...

[thinkpad1]

Okay, I had someone come over who convinced me that I could put it together with the screws I have left.

But, when we tried, the screws just 'fell in' the screw holes. They would not tighten. Did I put the palm rest and/or network card in wrong? Can you even DO that?!? I thought for sure that I did a good job connecting the PCI mini wireless card and was satisfied that it was in correctly. Same with the palm rest but then it doesn't make sense that the screws would then not fit properly or that it would seem 'off' or that I'd have problems re-inserting the screws.

Anyone recognize what I did? Or did I do something? I'm confused.... Ugh....

[Harryc]

It is difficult to help someone online who cannot read a technical diagram, recognize a screw size, and put it in the correct spot to match said technical diagram...impossible in fact.

[thinkpad1]

I know how to read it but thanks.

[poshgeordie]

PM sent