Solitaire door repair? Any ideas?

[shamrockvideo]

Hi, does anyone have any idea how to help me?
The flip down door on my Solitaire came off, and I've been trying to figure out how to pop it back on.
Each end has a spring with a stem sticking straight up, and that's what causes the tension to push the door down when the dvd tray pops open. I can't seem to figure out how to pop the door back on so the spring/stems have tension on them.
Does anyone with a Solitaire know where the stems should go? I've been messing with this stupid thing for an hour.
Thanks in advance if you can help!

[jimmeeker]

Hello Mike,

Yes mine is sitting here with the door off of it because the tips of the two plastic arms that the axels of the door fit into have broken off. They are way too thin to stand up to much force....so they break off easily.

However if your plastic arms are still intact and can actually hold the door, then you need to pull down on the springs with a uncoiled paper clip and stick the end of the spring in the small quarter inch slot located on each side just under the screw. There is a slot on each side of the door and it is really tricky to get the springs back in the slots, but it can be done. Since my plastic pieces that hold the axles have broken off both sides, I have left the door off. But i stuck it back on tonight to review this set up before writing this answer for you.

The Solitaire certainly looks better with the door on, but mine falls off every time I eject the CD/DVD drawer. The plastic things that hold the axles of the door are really poorly designed and are much much to thin to stand the use they get.

[shamrockvideo]

Wow, Jim.
Thanks so much for the prompt reply!
That sure is a tricky bugger. I'll have to give it try, and see if I have any luck with it.
It fell off a couple years ago after I first got it, and I couldn't remember what I did to get it back on so it didn't just flop down.
Both springs are still intact, so hopefully I won't break them off when I attempt it.
Thanks again!

[TimKennelly]

Yes, it is a poor design.

As long as the fragile, tiny plastic molded brackets are still intact it is not hard (just takes a bit of dextrous handling) to put it back to right.

With your finger slide the wire/spring towards the outer edge so you can align the minute plastic rod the spring coil is on into the tiny plastic molded left side bracket, gently bend the left wire/spring down to orientate the spring to enter the quarter inch vertical slot to the left of the plastic hinge and orientate the door rod into the bracket.

Then slowly bring the right hand side closer to it's bracket and using something thin (like Jim's suggested straightened paperclip) gently bend the right wire/spring down to orientate it with the right side quarter inch vertical slot while simultaneously adding the minute amount of pressure required so it also slides towards the outer edge of the door freeing the required space on the minute plastic door rod that the spring is coiled on and gently snap that side into place.

Then, stay away from physically touching/opening that flimsy, hinged plastic door ever again and always use the onscreen menu system to cause the burner to open or close to open or close the door on pain of having to do this all again.

Obviously, take a look at the tiny hinges to see if either of them are broke off from your heavy handed (physically touching them )handling of the door.

If either is broken you are cosmetically out of luck.

PS - The springs being intact are not the issue, it is the tiny little brackets on the face of the Solitaire that are the likely area of damage.

[shamrockvideo]

Thanks alot, Tim.
I usually try and keep away from that door, but while transporting it I must have nudged it against something while in the case and that's what popped it off. GGGRRRRRR!
I wonder if I snap the hinges off, if MSUS still carries the part to replace it.
I'm sure it's very affordable !
I'll give it a shot.
Thanks for all the help, amigos!

[jimmeeker]

Mike,

A correction to the "Vertical" slots that Tim mentions. Those are located outside the hinge area and the spring wire can't bend around the lower part of the door to reach the vertical slots. Use the HORIZONTAL slots just under the screw and the straight part of the spring will fit in there just fine.

It takes holding your breath and twisting your tongue just so, but it can be done. You may add a few four letter words to your vocabulary in the process however.

[TimKennelly]

Thanks Jim, yes, that is what I meant, the "other" vertical slots.

[shamrockvideo]

Thanks a million, Jim & Tim!
Just now got around to tackling the door, and with your directions I was able to re-attach the door in about 20 seconds.
I didn't even need to throw out some four letter words.
It's actually not too tough...it's just knowing how it fits and where the pins go, etc.
I'll have to print your suggestions out and leave in a handy place for the next time it comes off and I can't remember where everything fit.
Anyways, thanks so much for your help and expertise, gentlemen!
Take care.

[roncamp]

I'm also a member of the Broken Door Club. One of my plastic mounts is broken.

[shamrockvideo]

Wonder how much they are for a replacement?
Might be a good idea to grab one before the model becomes extinct and you can't find parts for it in the near future.