Replacing the hinge on a PowerBook G4

Recently a MacFixIt reader inquired about replacing a broken hinge on his PowerBook G4 without replacing the entire screen. He writes:

"Could you tell me how easy is it to change an hinge on a PowerBook G4/550? [...] Apple UK wants to charge me for the full change of the screen, though the screen is fine. On Galaxy (USA),they sell the hinge for US$150. Apple charges £580! [...] I've check with tork screwdriver and it seems a pretty straightforward thing to do."

We talked to our friends at PowerBook Medic, who let us know that while the hinge can be replaced without trashing the entire screen, the process is a bit more difficult than the average end-user might want to endeavour"

"We too sell the hinges for US$150 each or US$250 for a set of two. The replacement is probably the most difficult powerbook repair as it involves taking apart and rebuilding the display. Sometimes this involves mounting the current display is the chassis of another display. It is something that is very difficult to describe. We sell take apart manuals that give an overview of the procedure, but again, it is very difficult and not recommended. We do offer our customers a service where they can send the unit to us for hinge replacement."

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