Hinge broken how to reattach.

[Rosco]

Picked up a laptop today. It needs a screen replacement. No problem. notices a hinge was broken. figured i could find one on the net. which i did. when i got back to the shop noticed it was a little worse than i thought. Here is the dilemma the plastic piece you screw the hinge into broke off on the left side. i found the screen and the hinges but how do i attach it to the computer?


the laptop is:

Gateway MA7 NX570X

thanks everyone for your input

 

[Rosco]

here is a pick of the broken side

 

[NYJimbo]

Without a picture we would have to guess which screw and how bad a break.

I go through A LOT of epoxy in my laptop work. Many machines come in with frame breaks, mount breaks and other stuff that a good two part epoxy like JBWELD or JBQUICK will take care of. Sometimes I will actually make parts out of other chassis and epoxy them into the functional machine. Its kind of like doing autobody work on a car.

But a photo would really give us something to go on.

 

[Rosco]

Without a picture we would have to guess which screw and how bad a break.

I go through A LOT of epoxy in my laptop work. Many machines come in with frame breaks, mount breaks and other stuff that a good two part epoxy like JBWELD or JBQUICK will take care of. Sometimes I will actually make parts out of other chassis and epoxy them into the functional machine. Its kind of like doing autobody work on a car.

But a photo would really give us something to go on.

already uploaded.... appreciate the quick reply

 

[NYJimbo]

here is a pick of the broken side

You got to take the hinge cover off at least. We cant see what else is broken.

ps- The hinges do not screw into or onto plastic. On that MA series its metal on metal with plastic covers and trim.

 

[16k_zx81]

with a hinge issue be aware that the lower chassis and upper chassis may both be damaged because of movement offered by the original break. Open both top and bottom chassis to see whats going on and check _both sides_.

The reason to check both sides, is that if one hinge is busted, and the top lid moved diagonally at the time or afterwards, it may have sheered the plastics on the other hinge mounts, or placed stress on the metal of the hinge itself. Look for broken plastics (scre mounts) and for metal stress on the hinge.

Just my 5c

 

[maclaptech]

here is a pick of the broken side

I can't tell a lot from that pic. All I can say is that with hinge issues. usually it is not the hinge itself that is the issue, but the LCD back panel or bottom chassis where the hinge is attached to.

In most cases the screw holes are made out of plastic and break off so you have to change the panel or the chassis rather than the hinge itself.

 

[Larry Sabo]

I have been using Q-Bond to repair the broken hinge screw mounts with great success. Tried it with 2-part epoxy and it didn't last.

 

[Rosco]

You got to take the hinge cover off at least. We cant see what else is broken.

ps- The hinges do not screw into or onto plastic. On that MA series its metal on metal with plastic covers and trim.

ok i will open it up in the morning. metal to metal makes more sense. really appreciate the quick response from everyone thanks!

 

[NYJimbo]

usually it is not the hinge itself that is the issue, but the LCD back panel or bottom chassis where the hinge is attached to.

I'm pretty sure the metal mount broke away. Its some kind of magnesium or aluminum. It looks like gray plastic but if you poke at it with a multimeter in continuity mode, its metal. If the hinge broke off the mount then he has to replace the whole inner frame.

 

[16k_zx81]

I have been using Q-Bond to repair the broken hinge screw mounts with great success. Tried it with 2-part epoxy and it didn't last.

Just grabbed some based on your recommendation. Thanks, Larry

Jim

 

[NYJimbo]

I have been using Q-Bond to repair the broken hinge screw mounts with great success. Tried it with 2-part epoxy and it didn't last.

It depends on the job. I like qbond for tiny applications where I can do a quick set, but for DC jacks and other stuff where I need to manipulate the part for a bit or need it to seep under or around then I have to use JBQUICK. I also don't believe that Qbond really is stronger than JBWELD in all applications. It may be better in some but not all.

What bugs me about Qbond is that the hazardous material safety data sheet for it and Super Glue (aka crazy glue is almost the same).

Q-Bond adhesive
Ethyl Cyanoacrylate
Hydroquinone

Super Glue
Ethyl-2-Cyanoacrylate
Poly (Methyl Methacrylate)
Hydroquinone

(note the CAS numbers for both Ethyls are (7085-85-0) so they are almost if not exactly the same but with different descriptions.)

Leading me to believe that the hype behind Qbond is just that. The only difference is that with Qbond you can put filler powers to turn the crazy glue into a fiber filled adhesive like fiberglass resin with fiberglass. You can probably do the same with crazy glue but I havent tried that.

 

[maclaptech]

I'm pretty sure the metal mount broke away. Its some kind of magnesium or aluminum. It looks like gray plastic but if you poke at it with a multimeter in continuity mode, its metal. If the hinge broke off the mount then he has to replace the whole inner frame.

Probably true... I used to do a lot of hinge repairs in the past but now I just turn them down... too much work trying to order right parts, dealing with damaged wiring, etc...

 

[JustInspired]

I have been using Q-Bond to repair the broken hinge screw mounts with great success. Tried it with 2-part epoxy and it didn't last.

I'm gonna give this a try too. Thanks. We've been using Araldite 2-part epoxy for various repairs here.

 

[Larry Sabo]

When you use Q-Bond, plug the threads in any knurled brass nuts into which the hinge screws go, to keep the liquid from getting in. Otherwise, you can't re-install the screw. I use poster putty, which pulls out easily enough when you're done. Just roll a tiny piece into a ball and push it in place.

 

[Rosco]

the left side doesn't look like there is a place to attach it like there is on the right. the right side has a metal base the sticks out through the plastic case. the left has no hole that i can see. any ideas?

 

[kevinjhaag]

the left side doesn't look like there is a place to attach it like there is on the right. the right side has a metal base the sticks out through the plastic case. the left has no hole that i can see. any ideas?

Where's the metal base for the left side? You will need that. Then you can mount that into the base like the other one. And then attach screen to those.

 

[NYJimbo]

the left side doesn't look like there is a place to attach it like there is on the right. the right side has a metal base the sticks out through the plastic case. the left has no hole that i can see. any ideas?

Its gone. Seriously. Open it up a little more, its broken off. You will need to replace the frame.

You can use this : http://www.insidemylaptop.com/take-apart-gateway-nx570x-laptop-disassembly-guide/

 

[Rosco]

Its gone. Seriously. Open it up a little more, its broken off. You will need to replace the frame.

You can use this : http://www.insidemylaptop.com/take-apart-gateway-nx570x-laptop-disassembly-guide/

looking at the pics and that site the whole piece is broke off. where would i find a frame?

 

[NYJimbo]

looking at the pics and that site the whole piece is broke off. where would i find a frame?

Ebay is the only place I can think of. Not sure if its worth buying a whole dead machine to tear it apart just for the frame.