Thinkpad 701 Hinge Repair

[NeXT]

I own a 701 series thinkpad but the right hinge is showing fatigue marks on the outer plastic from the slightly awful hinge design. Because of that I have been trying to avoid using the thinkpad at all before the hinge completely fails.
What should I do to reinforce the hinge before it breaks?

On a related note, are there any good tips on stripping the old rubber grippy layer off a thinkpad without leaving a ton of marks?

 

[twistedpneumatic]

1: Removing the rubber layer sucks and every unit looks liek hell.

2: Nothing. The glue failed on the metal bonded to the olastic and replacing the unit is the only option and is what I did.

 

[NeXT]

It's been nearly three years since I last asked and it's still sitting under my bed.
Has there been any improvements on repairing the hinge?