Cracking noise when opening screen lid T61p

Hello all,
I am new canadien owner of a thinkpad 15 inch 7700 t61p. I am extreamly happy with my machine, except I do have 2 issues :
1- When i change the angle of opening of my screen sometimes cracking noise coming from the connection point with the hinge. ( metallic hinge are solid) I think it has to do with the inside of my screen
2- The screen wobble by around 0.5 cm when opened at 90 degrees. If i apply a small force the screen will play for about 0.5 cm. is that normal ?
3- Sometimes I loose my usb connections and regain them after 15 sec ( ipod, mac keyboard, usb speakers and usb mouse). What should i do It happens maybe twice daily.

Thank you very much

 

My t61p requires some effort to open. If I do not use both hands the result of opening the machine would be that it lifts off the table. There is no play,

 

My T61p has pretty stiff hinges but there is still some screen wobble if you wiggle it around. So far it hasn't bothered me that much.

 

Typically the cracking noise one hears when opening/closing the LCD lid is caused by stiction in either or both of the lid's brake hinges.

Inside a brake hinge there's a miniature multi-plate clutch pack (similar to what's inside an automotive automatic transmission) and sometimes the clutch plates, which are actually greased during production, "fuse" together solidly until an unusually high amount torque is applied to break them free.

 

I use a T60p. The hinges used to be very tight and occasionally made noise...not anymore. They are still tight...but the noise is gone. I can wiggle my screen a bit when open...but it's not noticeable when I'm using it. I pick mine up by the screen all the time (I know...the tech support guys yell at me every time they see it). The hinges are still rock solid after two years of abuse.

 

Hi Guys,

I have a T61p and recently noticed this 5-10 degree play aswell. I have checked the tolerances of several other Thinkpads in my possession, including the R-series and there is little to no play at all. I don't know how long it has been there. But I have since found a number of links that confirm we are not alone regarding this problem.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=8SgOQH9O6ZY&feature=related (demonstration of loose hinges - close up of hinges)

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=AnRXhZMiAaU&NR=1 (demonstration of loose hinges - side view)

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=PROGpxLhI5Y&feature=related (demonstrates tolerances recorded for such hinge conditions)

I have read that we should adjust chassis screws situated directly underneath the screen and all will be resolved... Or using adhesives to hold screws at desired tensions, etc...Poppy !!!

The solution is and this is not without considerable research:

Make a service call to your Lenovo Support (especially if you have paid for the extended warranty... like most sane people would) and have a certified technician assess the problem. Usually, it requires them taking two small caps off the face of the screen and accessing the hinge mechanisms from there. Re-tensioning may be an option depending on wear? If so, it can be done there and then. Otherwise it may require replacement of hinge mechanism... Not ideal!

If you do have a technician assess the problem, be sure to have data backed up and have carried out a system recovery backup using Thinkvantage Rescue and Recovery. That way, if the technician damages your unit, which can happen, it's not all grief in recovering information at a later date.

The cause is the mechanism design itself, that is made for such a stiff chassis construction. It has to be sufficiently strong/stiff enough to remain compatible with the chassis construction. Otherwise, it represents a disparity in assembly, between hinge and chassis construction. The play is considered within design tolerances and you will see that in the link to YouTube above. But if you can't stand the tolerance, which I guess is why you're all here, you can have the technician retension, accordingly. But it will probably loosen again over time. (Well, that's what the technician suggested.)

I've since heard of guys overtensioning the wrong screws on their chassis and cracking them in the process. I've heard of guys using Locktite on the screws to hold at the desired tension only to fuse with the chassis material... and require the entire chassis casing to be replaced. I've also heard of guys jambing teflon tape into their hinge mechanisms?... I've heard of just about every side-ways solution under the sun.

Solution: Forget tweaking screws and fondling with your expensive laptops and seek out the professionals to resolve the problem. Otherwise, live with it... back up regularly (in case things turn pear-shaped) and keep a close eye on it with careful handling and use. The T-series are the far superior chassis and Lenovo's flagship units (T61p's). But they are not indestructible!!!


Aequi.