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    Wobbly T61 lid mechanism (vs T60)

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Amn, Mar 2, 2009.

  1. Amn

    Amn Notebook Geek

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    Hi all,

    When I had bought my T61 a couple years ago, it had from day one a somewhat wobbly lid - i.e. it would wobble about 1 degree freely, while any serious change of angle would go smooth and firm. I thought this is how the Thinkpads were.

    Now I am an owner of a T60 too. I am positively surprised that this older model brother of the T61 is such a good machine, and the lid DOES NOT wobble at all, it is basically firm no matter what.

    Now I am wondering, is this the mechanism they have changed, or simply the fact that I have got such a lid, or even perhaps it is somewhat defect?

    Even though I never objected much to it, it did irritate me occasionally, since it is free to wobble half degree forth and half back...

    Any other T61 owners with wobbly lids? Or, perhaps even other models too?

    Is there some lid screws someone forgot to tighten at the factory assembly, should/can I tighten them?
     
    Amn, Mar 2, 2009
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  2. schiesz

    schiesz Notebook Consultant

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    No wobble on my T61 lid. I'm guessing you had a bad one.
     
    schiesz, Mar 2, 2009
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  3. Amn

    Amn Notebook Geek

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    Guess so then. The bad thing is, I have no idea (yet) how to remedy this. Will take a look into the hardware maintenance manual for LID disassembly.
     
    Amn, Mar 2, 2009
    #3
  4. NecessaryEvil

    NecessaryEvil Notebook Evangelist

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    My lid had wobble. I sent it back and got it replaced. Seems there are 2 hinge makers. I had the bad maker.
     
    NecessaryEvil, Mar 2, 2009
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  5. Specialista

    Specialista Notebook Geek

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    No wobble on my lid.
     
    Specialista, Mar 2, 2009
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  6. MikesDell

    MikesDell Notebook Evangelist

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    My T61 has the infamous "lid wobble".
     
    MikesDell, Mar 2, 2009
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  7. KnightUnit

    KnightUnit Notebook Evangelist

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    I thought you could tighten up the hinges a little to stop wobble that has creeped in over time.
     
    KnightUnit, Mar 3, 2009
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  8. Amn

    Amn Notebook Geek

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    Can anyone confirm this?
     
    Amn, Mar 3, 2009
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  9. kdaniel6217

    kdaniel6217 Notebook Consultant

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    yes some hinges can be tightened like my old thinkpad 600. i had to tighten it after 7yrs of use.
    Im not sure about T61 but i believe my T60 (probably same) can have its hinges tightened. its a lot of work having to open up the lid and get the screen pop out and tightening the hinges on the 2 sides. for just 1 degree of wobble, i wont do it. possibility of accident can lead to $$
     
    kdaniel6217, Mar 4, 2009
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  10. elfroggo

    elfroggo Notebook Evangelist

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    My T61p 15.4" lid is wobbly. Actually it has quite a bit of play. If I wasn't using like a desktop replacement where it's on a stable surface it could be annoying.
     
    elfroggo, Mar 5, 2009
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  11. BrendaEM

    BrendaEM Notebook Consultant

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    The left hinge on my T61p is cracked. I need to send it back.
     
    BrendaEM, Mar 6, 2009
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  12. cqdcqdmgy

    cqdcqdmgy Newbie

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    I have a T61p that had this problem and had to replace both hinges since it was both were bad. No loose screws found or stress cracks. Just defective.

    Fairly easy to do; just need to be careful when removing the inside LCD cover. I think you can find them online for around $50 if not cheaper
     
    cqdcqdmgy, Mar 27, 2009
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  13. ojosch

    ojosch Notebook Enthusiast

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    My brother's T61p is very wobbly, but my T61p is very tight and feels like it should. I have also read somewhere that they made hinges from 2 different manufacturers, and that you just need to call Lenovo and get the good hinges ordered for yours. My brother says he will do that but hasn't gotten around to it yet
     
    ojosch, Mar 27, 2009
    #13
  14. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    My t61p was very tight.
     
    Renee, Mar 27, 2009
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  15. eatbuckshot

    eatbuckshot Notebook Consultant

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    Grr.. my t61p 4:3 screen is wobbly.. i always find myself sitting there testing the wobble on the screen annoying myself pushing it back and forth.. OCD!!!

    i'm out of warranty I wonder if they can still send me hinges though
     
    eatbuckshot, Apr 21, 2009
    #15