Hi Simon

This discussion is actually a topic for the G4´Books list, but I answer it here 
and now anyways.

The reason for this kind of damage is usually a combination of 2 aging  
problems on the Tibooks: increased friction on the hinges and failing glue on 
the joints between the carbon frame and the Titanium case. (Plus hasty opening 
and closing of the lid by the Tibook user)
The carbon will have to absorb the full torque of opening and closing the lid 
(which works like a long lever). Even carbon fiber can bend only so often 
before it breaks. Sometimes a missing bottom screw also does its part in the 
breaking process (reduces stiffness of the case).
There are several ways to treat this kind of damage, but only 1 that is really 
satisfying.
Here is what I have done restoring many Tibooks:
Take it completely apart. I mean COMPLETELY. Bottom off, drives out, logicboard 
out, display off and inner rib cage out. Separate the white carbon frame from 
the Titanium piece (usually this mostly falls off by itself if the glue has 
failed). Treat all cracks in the carbon with super glue (usually there are some 
hard to see hair cracks which can be cured in early stage of developing). Sand 
down the glued spots to the black carbon. Also sand down the paint in spots 
where it is chipped. Airbrush the carbon frame. Glue it back to the Titanium 
top case piece. Put all the parts back together. This is the 100% solution 
taking min. 4 days (with curing glue and paint) and the Tibook looks like new.

Here is the the probably more practicable 80% solution:
Take the bottom off, drives and logic board out. Keep the display attached. Use 
liquid super glue and treat the seam between metal and carbon from the inside. 
Locate the cracks from the outside, but apply the glue from the inside. Let the 
liquid glue sink into the gap between metal and carbon and press it together 
for 30 seconds or so. After you have applied the super glue use heavy duty 
marine epoxy glue and apply it with a toothpick in those strategic areas from 
the inside where the frame usually starts separate from the metal: around the 
hinges, in the corners, at the palm rest. Let it cure for 24 hours and put 
everything back together.

Your Tibook frame is already in an advanced stage of breaking. Difficult to fix 
because it is at the earphone port and the little metal ring is already 
missing. Try the 80% method. This won´t improve cosmetics but prevents further 
damage.

If you need some more practical detailed advice, let me know. Also I can offer 
you to refurbish a case for you, if you like. You just would swap parts from 
one case into the other. But that would take a couple of weeks since I am 
really busy right now. If you are interested, contact me off list 
[email protected]

Sincerely
Roland



Am 07.04.2011 um 05:00 schrieb Simon Royal:

> Hi
> 
> My new TiBook is in excellent shape for its age, but it does have one
> split on the left side, possibly caused by tight hinges.
> 
> http://i54.tinypic.com/2d1lohv.jpg
> 
> Any advice on repairing or securing it? As you can see from the pic
> below, it is starting to split the plastic near the hinge too.
> 
> http://i51.tinypic.com/332uiwx.jpg
> 
> I snapped a hinge on my 867Mhz TiBook, luckily it did not snap the
> screen or crack it in anyway and help it in place with a metal brace.
> It was actually an L bracket bent once again and it clamped the hinge
> and screen bezel in place. It lasted for a few months until I parted
> with it.
> 
> Any help would be great.
> 
> Simon
> 
> --- Twitter: http://twitter.com/SimonRoyal - LowEndMac:
> http://tinyurl.com/macspectrum - Skype: Simon-Royal.
> --- Apple PowerBook G4 Titanium 500Mhz running 10.5.8. Sony Ericsson
> Xperia X10 Mini Pro running 2.1
> 
> 
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