How to open up Lenovo port replicator (dockstation) type 4336 ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: midix
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2021, 08:52:02 am
content: I'm about to do some basic cleanup & repair for ThinkPad Port Replicator Series 3 with USB3.0, type 4336. However, I'm confused about how to open it up. Internet search did not give any useful results for this model (no Maintenance manuals, service manuals etc.).The closest thing I got is this video about type 4338https://youtu.be/PgomGw_TSjwbut there's a catch - 4338 doesn't have that keyhole and has a small screw instead. In the video, he separates the top cover easily but I'm stuck at 3:24. That side with the push button just doesn't separate. Something's holding it tight. I moved my tools all around it but could not separate the cover from the base there. There is strong resistance at specific points, as highlighted in the images. These corners do not hold very tight, I can push away a bit but still cannot separate them fully. I tried to push from all sides hoping there's some plastic latches but no luck. Looked for additional screws, even tore away the plastic foot - cannot find anything obvious.Does anyone have experience or any idea how to fully separate that top cover? Thanks.

author: abdulbadii
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2021, 10:39:44 am
content: have used pry tool, Spudger to sweep all thinnest slit?

author: midix
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2021, 10:57:45 am
content: Yeah, I tried all possible tools, and two of them are even left inserted in those imagesStill, every place I try always gives just a little bit and then holds so strong that I'm afraid to push further because the plastic around the push site gets dangerously skewed and could break. So, I seem to be missing some specific clip or latch somewhere, that's not intuitively visible.

author: midix
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2021, 11:04:08 am
content: I can push spudge tools inside that thin slit and bend the plastic away, but still the cover is holding strong and cannot be lifted. I even broke a small plastic edgeNo big deal, but still discouraging, afraid to pry it more because I might start breaking something inside

author: midix
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2021, 06:26:21 pm
content: I found it.It turns out, the top part was actually a sticker! And there are screws under it. Nasty Lenovo.

author: abdulbadii
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2021, 11:47:13 pm
content: Thanks much for being-scrapped sticker pictureif dont mind to close it up and to estimate its thickness ?

author: midix
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2021, 07:46:02 am
content: Well, it's a usual sticker, less than 0.5mm thick, but pretty strong and stiff. It's easy to take off, but it can warp a bit.However, because of its stiffness, it's almost impossible to glue it back exactly as it wasThe edges will not stick strong enough. I'll have to use some glue and think of some way to press it while the glue dries.Also, it turned out the edge at the side of the large pushbutton is removable and will fall out when the sticker is removed.I think Lenovo has totally over-engineered this. Wouldn't it be easier to add one more screw at the bottom or the back, as on 4338, instead of adding this sticker and a separate plastic piece...