please suggest a solution for left side hinge

[henni]

we have a couple T4x series machines, otherwise perfectly normal except the left side (flip) hinge has broken and separated from the base (the flat part that is under LCD screen)

the part that attaches to the LCD bottom is not broken, screen still attached to the swivel but underneath it, the flat larger metal piece has been cleanly cut into two.

since the area is totally flat, figured someone here would know of a glue or product that could be used to reattach it?

just to be clear the screen is still attached to the flip hinge and is not broken, only the flat surface area under the screen has separated from the hinge. if someone has a reorder part for the entire hinge and *directions* how to replace it, that would be fine too.

[sjthinkpader]

This is a powder metal part with complex shape. Due to its shape, it was not forged. It breaks because the forces acting on it is similarly complex. Never tried to glue it. Just look for a new hinge.

[henni]

would you have a suggestion on where to look and steps to replace it?

[sjthinkpader]

It is tough to replace a hinge for the first time. Just remember where the antenna wire goes.

You will not need to take the whole thing apart. Just remove the bezel, tilt the left side out enough to remove the two screws holding the LCD to the left hinge.

[jdhurst]

Some additional thoughts:
1. The glued joint might last for as long as 1 second, but I doubt even that long.
2. I reread sjthinkpader's post a couple of times so I may cross the same ground. I would absolutely recommend taking the whole lid off before replacing a hinge. I had the benefit of trying on a bad screen and I screwed that up (with zero consequence), and I needed that experience to replace my hinge. It was a difficult and picky job. Very easy to screw things up. So work most carefully
... JDH

[sjthinkpader]

To OP:

My apologies, my simple comment above is for LCD assembly off the computer already. Here is more details:

Remove LCD assembly: (14 inch)
1. Remove 4 KB screws.
2. Remove 8 palm rest screws, 3 long, 5 short. Note the smooth shaft long screw near the Ultrabay and the silver short screw for the front left corner.
3. Remove two long screws in the back corners holding the KB bezel. Remove palm rest and KB.
4. Remove the left bracket short screw near the PCCard cage. Remove KB bezel.
5. Remove the long screw on the left bracket and LCD left hinge.
6. Remove the LCD cable screw and plate. Disconnect LCD cable.
7. Remove the two modem screws and move modem with cable attached to the left.
8. Remove the two WiFi antennae cable from the plastic spacer/channel. Some models have a white BT antenna cable
9. Remove 4 screws from the back and lift up the LCD assembly.

LCD assembly, left hinge only without complete disassembly:
1. Remove 6 screws from the two side, three in the front and two at top edge holding the LCD bezel. Remove the bezel.
2. Remove the gray cable from the plastic channel in the lower left corner.
3. Lift the left edge of the LCD out of the metal cover about 1/2 inch. Note there is a silver screw holding the right hinge top to the cover. You may need to move the gray cable out of the channels in the top left.
4. Remove the two small screws holding the left hinge to the LCD.

You will need a small #1 Philips driver with magnetized tip, a small flat blade driver to move wiring etc. If you don't think you can remember how the wiring goes, take pictures as you go along.

I replaced a LCD backlight last night and have to go thru this two to three times.

[exTPfan]

Some additional thoughts:
1. The glued joint might last for as long as 1 second, but I doubt even that long.
... JDH

The superglued left hinge on my T42p has had four months solid use, and still looks strong.

[jdhurst]

<snip>

The superglued left hinge on my T42p has had four months solid use, and still looks strong.

That is astonishing. The amount of torque on those hinges is great because we (the people I see) grasp the top of the lid to pull it down. There is built-in resistance on the hinge, so that is why the cast metal breaks.

Good for you, and I hope it will continue to last for you. ... JDH

[RealBlackStuff]

Superglue (or similar) would probably work, if you glue the whole hinge onto the lid.
Just gluing the 'break' is useless and would indeed last less than a second.