T61 hinges

I just got a T61p, and has anyone replaced the hinges in a T61 before?



My main question is that i buy some new hinges (like off ebay or somewhere) will these be better than the original ones or will they start the crap out and get some play in them like how they are now?



Coming from a T43, then handling multiple T60s, the build quality of the T61 came as a bit of a shocker.

Reply 1 : T61 hinges

I think you're either easily shocked, or trying for dramatic effect - because I also went from a T43 to a T61 without noticing anything with the hinges (or in fact the build quality overall).

Reply 2 : T61 hinges

I agree with mochaultimate. The only Thinkpad I've had has been a t61p and I've had no trouble with the hinges.



Renee

Reply 3 : T61 hinges

Quote:

Originally Posted by mochaultimate I think you're either easily shocked, or trying for dramatic effect - because I also went from a T43 to a T61 without noticing anything with the hinges (or in fact the build quality overall).

Easily shocked? Dramatic effect?



here is a video of the same problem that someone else had:

YouTube - Lenovo ThinkPad T61 - Loose Screen Lid / Hinge



Here is a write up that a different person did on the hinge issue:

http://ventilatorxor.wordpress.com/2...een-lid-hinge/

Other things i noticed, the keyboard does not feel as solid on the left side, in fact it actually sounds hollow if you hit the keys right.



Also with the display, there is noticeable backlight bleed at the bottom with dark backgrounds that stands out over the rest of the screen...this is on the 1920x1200 display.



Also on the right palm rest, there is a gap between the plastic and whatever is underneath which sometimes causes a tapping noise.



The T60 and and T43 were perfect, i just didn't see that in the T61p.

Reply 4 : T61 hinges

Personally speaking the hinge quality is actually better on the T6x than on the T4x.



I would recommend you get the new hinge from IBM parts, they only cost slightly more than the ebay ones, but you do get the assurance of it been a new part rather than a used part or used part passed off as refurbished one.



Given the price drop coming from T4x to T6x laptops, there are also more people purchasing it, which drives up the no. of Thinkpads in circulation.



Finally, the T6x hinges are made by the same two companies as the T4x hinges, which are Reel and KATO.



Regarding keyboard, the only difference between the T4x keyboard and T6x keyboards are the key feel, but i haven't experienced any hollow sound effect. But what you said could occur since there is more room under the T61p 15.4 inch keyboard for better air circulation, and if you hit the key right you can set up a resonance frequency to give that hollow sound.

Reply 5 : T61 hinges

Quote:

Originally Posted by lead_org Personally speaking the hinge quality is actually better on the T6x than on the T4x. I would recommend you get the new hinge from IBM parts, they only cost slightly more than the ebay ones, but you do get the assurance of it been a new part rather than a used part or used part passed off as refurbished one.

thanks, yea i was kinda leery on getting parts from ebay, I'll check them out on lenovo's site.

Reply 6 : T61 hinges

After viewing that YouTube video on the T61 hinge "wiggle", mine also wiggles, but not THAT bad. It has about a 1" of "play" in the screen.



Funny, because my X301 has NO play on the hinges. (Then again, it also cost 3X as much lol).

Reply 7 : T61 hinges

Yea mine has quite a bit of play in it (like the youtube vid). I have recently bought:



2 T60s w/ 15" wide

2 more T60s w/ 14" 4:3

1 T61p w/ 15" wide



and I have my T43 w/ 14" 4:3



The only one that has any play is the T61p



All of the others are tight and perfect.

Reply 8 : T61 hinges

So your t6x you bought are second hand?

Reply 9 : T61 hinges

Yep, as well as the t43 a few years ago.