MacBook clutch hinge problem

[Erko]

My 2009 Unibody Macbook has broken/worn out hinges making the screen sit crooked and loose. I ordered a pair of replacement clutch hinges online, but on arrival I realised that it's impossible to move/twist them. Am I missing something? Do they require more force or is there a certain technique or did I just get sent broken hinges? I haven't installed them yet, so maybe they only operate when connected to the computer?

 

[logana]

The hinges are adjustable so that the toplid sits properly aligned with the rest of the computer....

Are you sure the hinges are worn - maybe the screws connecting the hinges to the topcase are loose ???

The clutch hinges will be very stiff and almost impossible to move - you need the leverage of the 20 cm long screen lid to move them......

 

[Erko]

No, I think they are broken, the screen doesn't hold its position very well. I can basically rattle the screen up and down from one side when the lid is about 120 degrees open. I think the right one is a gonner, the left might be good but I'm not counting on it.

Thanks for clarifying the bit about leverage, I wondered this but wasn't sure.
Hopefully I can open up my Macbook soon and check if I would actually need to change the hinges. I realised I would need a T6 Torx screwdriver and I dont have one + one screw holding the fan grille is stripped...

Edit: The screws connecting to the topcase are tight, the ones connecting the hinges to the screen might be loose, although I suspect hinge failure.