Repairing laptop hinge fixings.

WIAWSNB

Just posting this for info - I think I've managed a successful repair.

Typical HP weak fixings for the screw inserts, held by a thin sleeve of plastic which is part of the casing. I first tried super-gluing the metal inserts back into place, but it was clear this wasn't going to work - the levering force on the hinges is just too much.

So I struck on the idea of making new epoxy blocks and tapping new screws into this. As crude as an insulating tape 'casting mould', filled with 2-part epoxy adhesive (eg Araldite).

When set, remove tape, and trim away any excess using a craft knife; gently - it takes a bit of effort, so use a rocking motion, and keep the knife under control.

Finally, drill pilot holes (typically 2mm dia), and use self-tapers.

Oh, and reduce the tension in the friction hinges too... :-)

Neil_Jones

May be worth a punt but in my experience any "bodge" like this that doesn't involve something that's already part of the casing/plastic tends not to last long.  Just check it can close properly - all very well screwing it in if you can't close the unit

20122013

Appreciate your post! It costed me a fortune to get it fixed, they had repaired it by drilling two screws to the top of the case, for the fee I would have expected better.

WIAWSNB

Neil_Jones said:

May be worth a punt but in my experience any "bodge" like this that doesn't involve something that's already part of the casing/plastic tends not to last long.  Just check it can close properly - all very well screwing it in if you can't close the unit

If you look at the top pic, you can see the old, damaged, plastic mouldings that held the screw inserts. I removed any loose bits, roughed up the rest, and this acted as a nice anchor for the epoxy to bind on to. I made sure the epoxy filled the holes, coated the outsides, and then topped it up.

When set, I whitled shavings off the top of the resin blocks until they were at the original level - you can see in the last pic that the hinge plate is horizontal.

The top block was awkward, as it had to be trimmed widthwise too - on one side to avoid the flange in the hinge plate, and on the other to allow the power switch board to fit back. It was quite slim when done...

WIAWSNB

20122013 said:

Appreciate your post! It costed me a fortune to get it fixed, they had repaired it by drilling two screws to the top of the case, for the fee I would have expected better.

My son had his laptop hinge 'fixed' at a local repair shop too - they just epoxyed the hinge plate into place. Lasted one month.