rimmeruk
Experienced Member
Hello guys and girls,
Just thought I'd start a thread about repairing laptop screen hinges that become loose or very stiff after years of use.
I'm not talking about the actual hinge or plastic mounts, but the metal hinge rotation spring mechanism.
The hinges usually have grease or have some sort of compound in them, but I have noticed after many laptop stripdowns,
that the grease or compound has long dried up. This results in either a very loose hinge or a very stiff hinge. The most common
failure being a stiff hinge that is so tight to rotate and results in the plastic surround breaking and the screws breaking away
from the case.
Finding the correct torque for each specific hinge is a bit of hit and miss, but I have established after many repairs, that
a correctly torqued hinge should rotate by hand with only a moderate amount of force. If the hinge rotates easily without
much force then it's too loose. If the hinge can only be rotated with a pair of pliars, then it is too tight. Also taking
into consideration the size and weight of the screen when setting the torque.
Some suggestions on repair forums say to use WD40 to lubricate the hinge but this method is only good for loosening a tight hinge.
The WD40 will eventually dry up the hinge and this is not ideal when the spring should be constantly lubricated. A silicone based
grease is good enough to keep the hinges healthy for a long period.
There are many different hinge designs but the actual mechanism is the same, although I'm not sure what the proper name is
for these types of hinges, also known as a friction hinge. Usually some of these hinges have a small bolt at the end of the
hinge pin which can be turned to tighten or loosen the hinge. The bolt type of hinge is very easy to repair and only requires loosening
and then a small dab of silicone grease can be applied to the parts. The hinge can e re-tightend with a socket spanner whilst holding
the mouting side with a pair of pliars.
BOLT HINGE TYPE
The most difficult hinges to repair do not have any kind of way to loosen or re-torque the hinge spring mechanism. They seem to be
a sealed part and once the grease or compound has dried out, the hinge is unrepairable. Or is it ? Has anyone had any success in
restoring these hinges back to working condition ? Appying fresh grease, has a marginal effect but the grease cannot penetrate
the whole mechanism if it has become too tight.
SEALED HINGE TYPE
I just thought it would be useful to share some experiences and tips on this common problem with old laptops and portables.
Just thought I'd start a thread about repairing laptop screen hinges that become loose or very stiff after years of use.
I'm not talking about the actual hinge or plastic mounts, but the metal hinge rotation spring mechanism.
The hinges usually have grease or have some sort of compound in them, but I have noticed after many laptop stripdowns,
that the grease or compound has long dried up. This results in either a very loose hinge or a very stiff hinge. The most common
failure being a stiff hinge that is so tight to rotate and results in the plastic surround breaking and the screws breaking away
from the case.
Finding the correct torque for each specific hinge is a bit of hit and miss, but I have established after many repairs, that
a correctly torqued hinge should rotate by hand with only a moderate amount of force. If the hinge rotates easily without
much force then it's too loose. If the hinge can only be rotated with a pair of pliars, then it is too tight. Also taking
into consideration the size and weight of the screen when setting the torque.
Some suggestions on repair forums say to use WD40 to lubricate the hinge but this method is only good for loosening a tight hinge.
The WD40 will eventually dry up the hinge and this is not ideal when the spring should be constantly lubricated. A silicone based
grease is good enough to keep the hinges healthy for a long period.
There are many different hinge designs but the actual mechanism is the same, although I'm not sure what the proper name is
for these types of hinges, also known as a friction hinge. Usually some of these hinges have a small bolt at the end of the
hinge pin which can be turned to tighten or loosen the hinge. The bolt type of hinge is very easy to repair and only requires loosening
and then a small dab of silicone grease can be applied to the parts. The hinge can e re-tightend with a socket spanner whilst holding
the mouting side with a pair of pliars.
BOLT HINGE TYPE
The most difficult hinges to repair do not have any kind of way to loosen or re-torque the hinge spring mechanism. They seem to be
a sealed part and once the grease or compound has dried out, the hinge is unrepairable. Or is it ? Has anyone had any success in
restoring these hinges back to working condition ? Appying fresh grease, has a marginal effect but the grease cannot penetrate
the whole mechanism if it has become too tight.
SEALED HINGE TYPE
I just thought it would be useful to share some experiences and tips on this common problem with old laptops and portables.
Last edited: