15" T60 owners - how are your hinges?

[dr_st]

I'm trying to determine whether ~1cm (~0.4inch) of play (that is you can wobble the screen back and forth) is normal for a 15" 4:3 T60.

The hinges on the 14" model definitely seem tighter, but the two 15" samples I have seem to exhibit the aforementioned amount of play.

[iwishiwasinwhistler]

I would guess this isn't normal.

The hinges on my T60p are really tight. No wobble at all.

[Worzyl]

I've only recently started closing my laptop when it's not in use, just so that the sun does hit the screen in the early mornings.I usually never close my laptop and so I leave it in the opened position - so my hinges are pretty sturdy.

[dr_st]

Thanks for the inputs.

I wonder if maybe it depends on the type of hinge. There are 2-3 different kinds for T60 15"...

I wish it was easy to check which hinges are installed.

Update:

According to IBM Israel, this kind of play is normal, at least for the type of hinges they've just finished installing in the machine. The FRU is 42R9908 (Kato).

There are also 41V9903 (Kato) / 41V9904 (Reel). I think it was concluded based on existing evidence that Kato tends to have more play? Hmm...

[Worzyl]

Do you open and close your laptop quite frequently on a daily basis? It may just be getting looser due to general wear and tear.

[underclocker]

Not normal.

15" hinges are initially as tight and play-free as 14" hinges. However, 15" panels weigh much more than than 14" panels. I've seen more play over time on both 15" T60's and R60's.

An a related aside, so far, 15.4" widescreen model hinges seem to hold up better over time.

[dr_st]

Do you open and close your laptop quite frequently on a daily basis? It may just be getting looser due to general wear and tear.

Me? Not really, since it's a secondary machine, and used about 80% of the time as a desktop replacement (when it's actually used). But I am not the first owner of this laptop.

IBM swears that they actually replaced the hinges with brand new parts that they ordered. I am not fully convinced, because like you, I would expect hinge play to develop over time (and I've seen it happen on a number of machines).

However, there is also evidence of some members indicating that their hinges have had play from the beginning.

15" hinges are initially as tight and play-free as 14" hinges. However, 15" panels weigh much more than than 14" panels. I've seen more play over time on both 15" T60's and R60's.

This does make a lot of sense and was observed also on T4x models.

[Troels]

1 cm is not normal, or at least it can be reduced to none.
Are you sure the hinges are the culprit - i.e. are they mounted tightly to the roll cage/bottom ? The left side tends to become a bit lose, since the screws are a bit short and apparently no loctite-ish material was used to secure these.

[sktn77a]

I have two 14" 4:3 T61p computers and a 14" 4:3 T60 computer. the newest T61p has tight hinges but the other two flop 1/2" to 3/4 inch. My 14" 4:3 T42 hinges are tight also.

[SaabScott]

I have a T61p, 6459-CTO.
The hinges on mine are quite loose and I probably have more than 2cm of play at the top of the screen.

Can these be tightened?
If so, is there a good "how to" someone could point me to so I can try that?

[Harryc]

Here's the deal with Thinkpad hinges. The first thing to do is download and read the Hardware Maintenance manual as far as LCD assembly removal. Pay attention to which screws to remove to get it out. Some of the screws may only be accessible by removing the keyboard and keyboard bezel, some others from the outside/back. Tighten those!. If that does not help you need new hinges. I'd recommend replacing both at the same time (you won't want to do this again) . I'd also recommend using genuine Lenovo parts. There is no adjustment on the hinges themselves.