hp J6480 left cover hinge broken while changing cartridge. How could I replace that?

[fhpamela]

If you read through the posts, there are many ideas on what to do.   The cheapest and easiest way I found to fix a broken hinge is to follow one the ideas in the posts.  I wrote a detailed post step-by-step.  In quick summary, I broke the other hinge and removed all the broken pieces to both, so the lid would lay flat again.  Printer doesn't care if the hinges are not there.  The manual is on line:  http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/manualCategory?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&document=&product=3635378

[gogirl_1]

Thanks so much for your reply. I did read the posts and appreciate the detail on your web page. So now I'll retreive that all-in-one printer from the swap room, fix the hinge and donate it to a needy soul. My own HP Color Laserjet 2600n is still in top condition after I rebuilt it because of dirty mirrors. Every HP printer I've known has been top quality. Too bad the broken hinge thing got past HP's R&D and into so many hands before being corrected.

[gogirl_1]

You don't need either. Just read the posts here.

[gmross3267]

HP Officejet J6480 All-in-One
Re: hp J6480 left cover hinge broken while changing cartridge. How could I replace that?  (You can't!)

‎07-31-2011 02:15 PM - edited ‎07-31-2011 02:18 PM
I have the right hinge break.  I removed the 5 screws, 1 for the hinge cover in the back, and 4 holding the top hinge in place.  Once removed the top was able to close.  I will be careful in opening it to replace the ink.  The screws takes a hex head screw driver: T9 X 40.  I got a new cartridge in and it is working fine.

Note:  the bottom part of the hinge was broken but I removed the top only.

I have not tried any major copy jobs or scanning but I don't see that they would be effected.

HP offered me a 6500N for ~ $100 about $30 off from what I could get from Sam's Club.  Not sure if it is  the exact printer at Sam's.    

‎07-31-2011 05:31 PM
Can't replace the hinge.  HP does not offer it.  I just remove the upper 1/2 of the hinge.


08-18-2011 03:30 PM
 1.  With the top all the way open 90°, lift up the top on the right side just enough to expose the two screws being very careful not to hurt the other side hinge.  Support the top against something so it does not fall open any farther.  I tried to include picture but HP removed them.
Other method:
 2.  If you can get the lid closed all the way, the little cover has to come off.  It is ~ 1 X 3 MM.  Then you can get to the other two screws on the hinge.  The top has to be closed and get the screws from the back.  

09-01-2011 08:55 AM
I was able to raise my cartage cover to 90°.  

I did contact HP and got a new 6500 A Plus.  I had to put down the ~ $89.  I was going to keep the old printer.  I then found out HP was wass to credit back the $89 to my credit card once they get the old printer back.  I got an email to that effect before I returned it.  The foreign help desks have a number of things that get lost in translation.  Also as I recall the phone connection was not the best.  (((((I don't remember ever seeing the refund.))))

Once removed the top closed fine.  I will be careful in opening it to replace the ink.  It takes a hex head screw driver: T9 X 40.  I got a new cartridge and it is working fine with the top half of the hinge gone.

Note:  the bottom broke but I removed the top only.

I have not tried any major copy jobs or scanning but I don't see that they would be effected.

The 6500N for ~ $100 about $30 off from what I could get from Sam's Club.  Not sure if it is the exact printer from Sam's.

[Seahall]

Thank you, Cuteprinter.  I had a friend (85 years old) try this on my printer, and it worked!  Can't tell you how happy that made me--a 76-year old senior!!  All of us who have had this problem should storm HP about doing a recall or something.  Some people have actually replaced their printers because of this flaw which wasn't their fault.   My printer prints now, but I have done something to interrupt the connection to my computer.  I tried to print the page about the connections, but only got a printer ink test page.  Any suggestions?  Thank you again!!  Hope everybody tries your fix! 

[Seahall]

To all who have had this problem, try Cuteprinter's fix.  It worked for me, (76 yr old senior) and I am very grateful!  The printer works now, but just need to get the connection to the computer working again, and I know it must be a simple cable connection,  but I have tried everything.  Can anyone help with this?  Tried to do a test connection page but got a printer ink test page.   Thankful for this forum!  We need to get HP to do something for all of us who have had this problem that seems to be the fault of the product.  Some people have given up their printer and will probably not buy HP again.  The cover should not break when you close it after changing cartridges!

[lookat]

Well now. How about that. I'm not the only HP All-in-One user who had to yank out the springs to allow the printer top to go back down in order to get the printer to function after it broke simply because of lifting the lid to replace an ink jet cartridge and then trying to close it back afterward and then is when the hing on the right as you look directrly at the printer, the side that does not have the ribbon connected to it. As long as I am on it, I am just going to use up my printer cartridge in single cartridge mode, black, until it is all gone, then I am going to go buy a new printer. This time I will purchase a 2 year extended warranty so I can just replace it for free the next time this happens.

I think once you just go buy a new All-in-One HP printer you should try to be oh so gentle with it. If you try to lift the lid up further than it is designed to go it can compromise it's hinges. Taking the thing to get fixed is probably more costly than just upgrading to a new printer. When you do hope you get that extra insurance coverage. You might want to blog this more. My modle is HP Officejet J6450 All-in -One which uses the two cartridges, 74 black and 75 tri-color. The newer printers probably will use entirely differnt cartidges. good luck.

[McLeith]

Lifted the access lid for the cartridge replacement this morning - there was a loud crack and the RH hinge broke. The lid became free floating and upon examination I discovered that the LH hinge had been broken for some time.

Because the data ribbons to the scanner prevent easy dismantling, I discovered this forum and read all of the posts before attacking it.  Thanks folks for all the ideas.

My Fix - It is likely that what has broken on yours will be the flimsy vertical supports for the hinge pins on either side of the top and bottom hinge blocks.  Being careful to protect the ribbon cables, tip the lid up to 90 degrees and using a Torx driver, remove the inner two screws on each of the upper hinge blocks.  Carefully put the lid down again with a thick magazine or similar between the lid and the printer to support the lid a little.  After removing the small cover plates on the outside (single screw) slide the lid towards the rear enough to remove the two outer screws on each of the upper hinge blocks.  The blocks with their hinge pins are now on your bench.  Remove the hinge pins in preparation for reassembly.  Position the lid towards the front a little and as described in a previous post, prise out the spring loaded blocks from the bottom hinge assemblies.  Throw them in the trash.

No matter where the broken pieces parted, (all four of mine were different), glue them back on with Instant adhesive (Loctite 401 or similar).  This was fiddly but doable.  Once they were in place, reattach the upper hinge blocks to the hinge supports with the hinge pin again and then position the lid properly on those upper blocks.  Put the two outer screws on each block back in place and screw them home.  I used a small metric Allan Key.  Now open the lid and replace the other two inner screws on each of the upper hinge blocks.  I used the Torx driver again. The hinge now works again as intended but without the stupid springs, should outlast the printer.  Should have been designed like that with an air-strut.

Don't replace the two little cover plates on the back of the upper hinges, as, with them fitted the lid cannot be raised much beyond original without breaking the hinges again.

Finally, cut a small piece of stick or similar about 8" long and prop the lid up on the left hand side when accessing the cartridges.

Job done - better than HP.

[exHPlover]

[lions99]

@exHPlover, are you having an issue with the hinge?