[NTLK] eMate hinge repair question - how critical is the one that ISN'T near the display cable?

[Woody Smith]

I am coming into this conversation quite late but certainly there has  
been many past conversation in the past about this.  Some folks have  
been satisfied to use a fine applicator and to feed a silicon oil into  
the hinge without disassembly (don't know how).
I have done hinge cleaning and washer installation on 50 or more emates.
The reason that I remove the hinge whether it has popped or not is so  
that I can remove the old grease which has become very sticky and is  
usually contaminated with metal filings and dirt.  It is also much  
easier to work new grease into and under the spring with it removed.

What you are proposing would be fine.  If you have good ventilation  
try spraying with WD40 to remove some of the old grease and once  
mostly dry work in some lithium grease.  The washer will limit the  
springs ability to snap loose while still long enough to hit the ribbon.

I have never seen the sprung hinge on the non ribbon side do harm  
other than making the lid loose.

Welcome to the list and enjoy your emate.

Woody


On Dec 12, 2009, at 10:54 PM, Eric Rucker wrote:

> On Sat, Dec 12, 2009 at 23:38, R A Parker <RAParker at newted.org> wrote:
>> Yeah, but my question is whether you can (or are going to) put a
>> washer on the hinge (the side with ribbon cable). If you only gong to
>> lube it, it would be a mistake. As I remember it, the screw that  
>> holds
>> the spring, looked like it would pop easily over time no matter. It's
>> a design flaw. By not removing the spring, cleaning the dried lube
>> off, putting a quality lubricant and a washer, you will risk popping
>> that spring eventually. It'ou might buy yourself 6 months to a year  
>> of
>> moderate use.
>
> I was under the impression that I could simply remove the screw, add
> the washer, and all of that without completely tearing the machine
> down, as is stated here:
> http://www.inventors-emporium.co.uk/pages/newton-emate-hinge.html
>
> Eventually, I would fix everything properly, possibly even within a  
> month.