Broken Hinge

Hello.

Recently OhMy! helped me replace the hard drive in this laptop. Since, there's been a cracking sound when opening the lid. I imagined I messed something up when I screwed the back case on again when I was done. I took it apart today to take a look, and the place where the screws go in to attach the lid hinge to the bottom (I don't really know what all these parts are called, sorry) are all broken off, so the screws don't really go into anything and the hinge is just hanging loose on one side. When I put the cover back on, I noticed the screw for the case on the same corner will not screw in anymore either, so that one is broken as well.

It is a Lenovo Ideapad 3. I have pictures of the broken hinge attached.

Does anyone know of a way to fix this without replacing the whole computer or the whole bottom half of it? Is this an instance where glue or duck tape is a good idea?

Thanks.

 

Glue is your easiest option. Orient the plastic posts to which the hinge screws are attached as closely to their original positions on the case as possible before gluing. Make sure to wait for the glue to set before using.

These are more involved:

There's also epoxy. I recommend epoxy putty. Remove the screws from the hinge. Clean the area with alcohol and press enough putty to fill in the area without contacting the circuit boards (You don't want them bonded, I assume), press your hinge down and lightly thread in the screws enough to embed them in the epoxy. Let it set double their recommended set up time. I've done the same with dropped power tools.

Drill two holes through the top of the case aligned with the broken hinge screw holes. Get two flathead screws (longer, of course) and two nuts. Put the flathead side on the outside and use the nuts to hold the hinge in. Not as pretty, but serviceable.

Once the hinge is fixed, I don't believe the missing case screw will be an issue.

 

Sadly this IS a COMMON problem (design flaw). As @ Just Playin said, use Epoxy. Personally I would use the liquid type so it will flow into a few places easier for more support. I have had to attempt to repair way too may laptops with this type of damage. Just MAKE SURE the Epoxy/glue DOESN'T get into the threads (see below about the brass or steel inserts).

1) you NEED to buy NEW (or IF possible Good Used) hinges (BEST if NEW). The reason for this type damage IS due to the hinges failing in that due to use they have STIFFENED/TIGHTENED up beyond the spec of the hinge. IF you DON'T either replace the hinges (and/or actually loosen them up) you WILL CONTINUE to have this problem until you CAN'T repair the damage anymore & NEED to replace the bottom case of the laptop. This DAMAGE can & WILL ALSO happen to display/screen assembly (and very likely has ALREADY started to happen to yours now & SHOULD be also repaired BEFORE it gets WORSE.

2) The big holes where the screws go in are suppose to have brass or steel inserts pressed into the holes. These inserts are threaded and are what the screws actually thread into. Carefully remove the brass inserts from the screws on the hinges & you will likely NEED to glue the inserts into the plastic & press them back in.

3) CLOSELY INSPECT the bottom case AND the display cases for CRACKS (VERY COMMON) as those WILL ALSO need to be repaired (likely by filling the insides behind those cracks with Epoxy. When doing this, scuff up the plastic so the adhesive/Epoxy has something to bite into. When doing this you MUST MAKE SURE NOT to use too much or put the glue/Epoxy such that IT WILL PREVENT reassembly (verify clearances) and LET it FULLY harden/cure BEFORE reassembly. Reason being is you DON'T want to clue the LCD to the case and/or wires, circuit boards and so on to the case as THAT WILL CAUSE MAJOR problems & EXPENSE when needing to do future repairs/upgrades/parts replacements.

All this said I HIGHLY suggest you keep a look out for good used bottom laptop case AND display back/case (MIGHT cost less to get a whole "parts or repair" laptop same model as yours, BUT you run the risk that IT too has the same case & hinge problems as yours) so when yours CAN'T be repaired you can swap them out. And ALSO get a couple sets of either NEW and/or Good Used spare hinges so WHEN they START getting STIFF you CAN REPLACE THEM RIGHT THEN so NO damage happens.

Good luck on the repairs