Member Avatar for themollusk

Okay so I just picked up my laptop and discovered that next to the left hinge, on the back of the lid, there's a big crack!

What method would you recommend to patch this up?
A simple epoxy job?

I know this is an incredibly simple question but I wanted to make absolutely sure I'm not going to screw anything up xD

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by caperjack

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A quick triage will save time and money before committing to any fix. The immediate questions are: is the crack purely cosmetic, or is the hinge anchor/screw boss damaged so the hinge can shift and stress the display cable or mounts? As noted, it sits by the left hinge, so check for symptoms first (intermittent image, rubbing noises, lid misalignment, looseness when opening/closing). If none appear and the hinge feels secure, the repair can be lower priority; if movement or display problems show up, act now to avoid worsening damage.

Suggested inspection and next steps:

  • Power down, remove battery/power and ground yourself. Open the bezel and inspect the hinge area and screw bosses for shredded plastic or missing material. Do not overtighten any screws if bosses look compromised.
  • Gently operate the lid while watching the LCD and cables for tugging or distortion. Note any unusual clicks or metal-on-plastic contact.
  • If screw bosses are intact, a hidden internal stiffener (metal or thick plastic plate) fastened to good anchor points is the most durable repair; it transfers load away from the cracked area.
  • If the bosses are destroyed or the crack runs into structural ribs, the safest route is replacement of the lid/top case or hinge assembly. For older VAIOs, used OEM lids often appear on parts marketplaces—compare that cost to a professional repair.

A few cautions: adhesives alone can be a temporary measure but often fail under repeat stress (as and hinted). Avoid lifting or carrying the machine by the screen, and keep routine backups until the repair is done—if the hinge finally fails it can damage the display or cables. If unsure about disassembly, a repair shop can assess whether reinforcement or full replacement is more economical.

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Member Avatar for 4th&3wood

Epoxy will work. You may wish to rough up the area that you are going to be applying it to with some sand paper so that you get a good bond.

Member Avatar for themollusk

Is there anything that really could be affected by this crack, honestly? I know if both hinges were cracked it'd be a different story but it's just the left side so I don't feel like it's super-imperative.

Then again this machine is a brute in itself and weighs a mad TON and a HALF so I'm sure with all the times it's been thrown around would have a lot to do with it, too xD

Member Avatar for caperjack

Is there anything that really could be affected by this crack, honestly? I know if both hinges were cracked it'd be a different story but it's just the left side so I don't feel like it's super-imperative.

Then again this machine is a brute in itself and weighs a mad TON and a HALF so I'm sure with all the times it's been thrown around would have a lot to do with it, too xD

if are only going to continue throwing it around ,no point in epoxying it, as it will not hold

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