Stage 2 hinge problem?

[[CK]]

My NR is about six months old and has previously had the stiff hinge problem which I solved by removing the back cover and applying silicone oil. All good, I thought.

Just the other day I went to use the unit and there was the most awful grinding feeling when I opened it. "OK," I thought, "I'm going to have to re-apply the lubricant periodically". But this was not the case. Nothing I did would stop the grinding.

I traced it to the clutch on the left side by the capture button (the right hand side doesn't sppear to offer any resistance - it's just a hinge). By removing the front & back plastic hinge cover (two outer screws visible with the display half rotated) I found that the problem was related to the left-most ring of the clutch assembly, and was able to relieve the grinding somewhat by running some floss around to get rid of the crap in there - small metal particles, I assume. This only helped for a few uses of the hinge, then the problem was back as bad as ever. I suspect the floss was actually leaving wax deposits in there which were lubricating the clutch slightly.

I finally got rid of the grinding feeling and returned the hinge almost to its normal state by wrapping some floss around the clutch mechanism and leaving it there. Actually this worked amazingly well, but I'm sure it will be ground into fluff in no time and the problem will be back.

Has anyone else experienced this? I'm pretty convinced that whatever damage has occurred to the hinge over time is permanent and can't be reversed, so I'm wondering if anyone knows how or where I can get hold of a replacement hinge/clutch assembly for an NR70V? Is this a manufacturing issue or a freak occurrence?

I can't take it in for warrantly repair as it only applies in Singapore and I'm in New Zealand... I could send it, but then I'd be without a clié for weeks and weeks, and how is that ever going to work?

[stevec_ny]

I'm getting this effect also, but you went a lot further than I did. I just dip the floss in some WD-40 & lubricate the hinge, but I don't leave it there. If I open the clamshell with the hinge near my ear, I can still hear a slight grinding though.

[[CK]]

In my case, the lubricant didn't do anything at all, so I was desperate.

I did notice that the hinge felt better while the floss was in there which led me to wrap it around a few more times, which made it a whole lot better.

WD40 isn't much of a lubricant for this type of problem. It's good for getting things freed up, but bad as a long term lubricant. You'll probably need to re-lube fairly soon.

Back to the original question, does anyone have any idea where I can get NR70V spares?

[[CK]]

This is just FYI - I contacted Sony about a spare part for this fault. They want US$130 for the assembly that the hinge is part of (Display harness assembly).

I consider this a manufacturing fault, and a costly one at that. I don't think I'll be repairing it my clié at this price, rather selling it and getting something else. http://www.cliesource.com/forums/images/icons/icon13.gif

[jetdriver]

Just FYI - I too had this same problem. I used teh floss/WD40 trick the first time, but teh WD40 wears off - its more for loosening bolts/penetrating anyway. The problem was solved, but came back after a week. Then I got ahold of some silicon grease type lube (clear & thick like vaseline). I put a small BB sized bead on floss and worked a decent amount into each hinge. Then I worked the hinge by opening & closing the Clie several times. It was been silky smooth for weeks, of everday use. I don't anticipate having to reapply the lube for a while.

Hope this helps.

[stevec_ny]

I need to do this. I've been re-flossing WD40 every week or so as well. Any brand recommendations for the silicon grease?

[Civil]

How do you get access to the clutch? Removing the two screws mentioned above - will that release the whistle-shaped pieces of plastic on the outer sides of the hinge (near the capture button and loop)? Then what?

I have noticed mine is starting to stick when it is open partially and I go to close the clamshell.

I am also curious to find out what brand of silicon lube is the best - or at least what other people are using?

[[CK]]

Yep that's it. I just inserted a very thin flat screwdriver near where I'd removed the outer screws from, and gave a quarter turn to unclip.

Be careful of the camera switch PCB and the small wires coming from when if you do this.

When re-assembling, put the rounded parts of the plastic covers together first, i.e., exactly the reverse of how it came apart. Make sure that none of the display cables are protruding.