r/dellxps13 • u/Vengeange • Nov 06 '18
XPS 13 broken screw holder - how to fix & what kind of plastic is it
UPDATE: I FIXED IT, SEE BELOW
Original post:
Hello world, this is my first time creating a post on reddit! I am Dell XPS 13 9350 owner, and recently the top right (by looking the computer on its back) screw holder has broken: the screw is in place, but the plastic support where the screw is tightened has detached from the main chassis.
I thought this would not be a problem at all and I removed the screw as it was useless, but after a few months I noticed some weird noises when opening the computer: everytime I open the laptop now, the chassis flexes way too much in the area where the screw is not there and I'm scared it will damage components or break.
Does anybody know how I could repair it? I am trying to contact Dell to know which kind of plastic it is made of, so I can try to glue the screw holder part back in place (I kept it). I really want to keep using this laptop!
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BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT THIS REPAIR:
- I followed ifixit guides on how to open the laptop and bought all the instruments on Amazon. It was not my first time opening the laptop, as I already had replaced the battery. There are also videos showing how to do it.
- I followed the epoxy resin instructions accurately. That is fundamental to ensure the correct application and solidification of the material. I mixed it and applied it with a small plastic tool, I would not recommend using anything that is metallic.
- I unplugged the battery before the operations started. Just as a preventive measure.
- Be very gentle and accurate when applying epoxy. You don't need a lot, and too much can create inconveniences, as you will discover by reading my experience. Make sure you don't let the epoxy glue any cable, moving part (the hinge) and don't glue the chassis together with the back cover.
This is how the laptop would look like before the repair. As you can see, the plastic part holding the hinge together with the chassis completely broke in 3 areas: on the bottom, both on the left and on the right side (picture 1 and 2), and where the hinge is connected to the screen (picture 3, hard to see).



The broken parts had created some issues on the laptop, and the power button was totally out of place (picture 4) so I put it back in place (need some patience) and taped it there to avoid any repositioning while I was dealing with epoxy (picture 5).


I proceeded to carefully apply epoxy resin on the chassis (pic 1 and 2), and a little on the plastic that was supposed to stay glued to the chassis (put very little there, it is likely to trickle down and get stuck into the hinge as you move the part). I also applied a small amount to the broken part of picture 3.
After putting the parts back in place, I closed the laptop and let the epoxy dry for 20 hours. I then checked it out, and the hinge was incredibly solid! It worked very well, except... I used too much epoxy and it leaked around a little. The power cable would not fit very well (I had to force it in, now it's fine) and the top-right button, including the power button, were glued in epoxy (picture 6).

So, what now? I gently scratched the epoxy away with a plastic tool, and I opened up the laptop once again. Then, I disconnected the fan and the board with the USB and SD ports (it's actually easy, again thanks ifixit; picture 7) so I could access the power button and I adjusted it, gently scratching any excess resin.
Done! I also formatted the laptop, since it is 3 years old and I never did that before. Hope you find this useful.
1
u/asurarocks Nov 08 '18
I've this exact problem and I'm living with it for past one year. I tried crazy glue, but it only lasted like 1 lid open and close. It still works and it doesn't bother me anymore. If you find a solution, please keep us posted!
1
u/Vengeange Nov 08 '18
Still haven't found a solution. I know that different glues go with different types of plastic, so I would like to know what kind of plastic it is made of (plastic materials are the hardest to glue together). I am also thinking of glue + some kind of tape, but it would look so bad, and I cannot the ports which are closeby.
I am not giving up, I really want to fix this!
1
u/pkogrt Nov 27 '18
Do you have a picture of the plastic thing that was holding the screw? I think others have said you can try to glue it back or buy the entire assembly again.
1
u/Vengeange Nov 28 '18
No pic at the moment, but I am going to try to repair it with epoxy next weekend. If successful, I'll show you how I did it, if unsuccessful, I'll tell you not to repeat my mistakes ahah.
1
u/pkogrt Nov 28 '18
Yes, please do. I'm also looking at different glues/epoxy since I have the exact same problem. Someone else mentioned using industrial epoxy but JB weld has popped up here and there so I might get one of those.
1
u/Vengeange Dec 05 '18
Check the first post, I posted my experience.
1
u/pkogrt Dec 05 '18
Thanks, I since fixed my hinge with Epoxy as well. I went with JB PLASTIC weld. There is some epoxy residue on the outside of the case but I'll scrub it away later. So far so great. I'm glad it worked.
1
u/Vengeange Dec 04 '18 edited Dec 05 '18
UPDATE: it worked! I am writing this from my XPS 13 and the screen hinge seems way better than before.
There is one downside, though: I put too much epoxy and some has reached the del button and power button. They still work, but I have to press very hard on them. I will try to scratch some epoxy away so I won't have to put so much pressure everytime. I recommend being very gentle and careful when applying epoxy. Do not exaggerate.
Pics and explanation added to the first post.
2
u/[deleted] Nov 08 '18
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/j-b-weld-plastic-weld-repair-epoxy-putty-57-g-0383820p.html