How to Perform an IBM ThinkPad X60s Fan Spindle Replacement

Written By: Samuel Lees
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How to Perform an IBM ThinkPad X60s Fan Spindle Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

11

Time Required

30 - 45 minutes

Introduction

This guide details how to replace the rotating spindle piece inside of the fan. Replacing this piece can solve cooling and noise problems associated with a broken fan. The fan spindle is only accessible after exposing the bottom of the motherboard and removing the fan housing.

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    • Turn the laptop upside-down, with the battery oriented away.

    • Slide the battery lock switch to the left.

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    • Complete these steps after disconnecting the laptop from power and after powering the laptop down.

    • Simultaneously complete the following:

    • Slide and hold the battery release switch to the right.

    • Push the battery away from you, out of the back of the laptop.

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    • Unscrew the black 4mm Phillips #2 screw securing the hard drive enclosure cover.

    • Pull the hard drive enclosure cover up and to the left to expose the hard drive caddy.

    • Pull the hard drive caddy out by the plastic pull tab.

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    • Unscrew the two black Phillips #1 screws securing the RAM cover plate.

    • These screws will remain attached to the cover plate.

    • Remove the exposed RAM sticks by prying outward (away from the edges of the RAM sticks) on the securing tabs.

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    • Unscrew the eleven black 6mm Phillips #1 screws securing the keyboard and palmrest.

    • Flip the laptop over.

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    • Simultaneously complete the following:

    • Push the keyboard backwards (away from yourself) with both hands.

    • Pry your thumb under the mouse buttons to lift the keyboard upwards (away from the work surface).

    • Pull up to detach the keyboard ribbon tab.

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    • Pull up to detach the fingerprint scanner ribbon tab.

    • Lift up on the faceplate to remove it.

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    • Unscrew the five silver 3mm Phillips #1 screws securing the motherboard.

    • Unscrew the silver 7mm Phillips #1 screw securing the motherboard.

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    • (Optional) Lay a piece of paper, or other protective material, over the laptop screen.

    • Flip the motherboard over onto the screen (or protective material).

    • Flipping the motherboard over should not require forceful motion.

    • Take extreme care not to damage any ribbon cables or wires still connected to the motherboard.

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    • Pry back the three metal tabs on the now-exposed underside of the fan housing with needle-nose pliers.

    • Flip the motherboard back over.

    • Flipping the motherboard over should not require forceful motion.

    • Take extreme care not to damage any ribbon cables or wires still connected to the motherboard.

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    • Lift the metal housing off of the fan.

    • There may be foil tape securing the housing. If so, remove it carefully in order to put it back after replacing the fan spindle.

    • Remove and replace the fan spindle.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

Samuel Lees

Member since: 23/02/15

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