how would i get around dissasembling the whole keypad? I want to see what the problem is (See my thread called Keypad problem)

Thanks for the screen prints
 

This is great! I was looking for the best way to do this I was trying the old Q-tip and Alcohol trick... alot of props to this post thanks



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Great tutorial but I would like to add a few comments to it if I may.

- Before attempting to clean your trackball shut the phone off and remove the battery so you donxxx8217;t risk shorting out anything on the exposed sensors located under the trackball when you remove it.

EDIT: Just realized that there is indeed a metal clip on the older style Pearls but not on the newer ones.- After removing the plastic chrome ring from around the trackball, you do not need to remove the metal retaining ring located around the trackball. The whole assembly should just pop out by turning the phone around. The metal ring only holds the trackball in the white xxx8220;cagexxx8221; that also holds the rollers in place. If you need to remove the retaining ring to clean the rollers and ball, take out the assembly first and then remove the metal clip from the sides of the cage assembly. Youxxx8217;ll see the clips that hold the ring on, just gently pry them away front the plastic cage.

- Yes, the little black rollers are magnets which interact with the small magnetic proximity sensors inside the phone. Unfortunately after cleaning them with Alcohol you remove the very small amount of lubrication that is on them. Since the magnets come into close contact with the sensors, it will sometimes prevent the magnets from rotating hence the reason why some people have to keep repeating this cleaning procedure almost on a weekly basis or the cleaning just doesnxxx8217;t work for them.

After cleaning the track ball by using this guide, before popping the track ball back into your phone, get a clean Q-Tip and a can of Dry Silicone lubricating spray. Do not use WD-40 or any other type of spray lube, use only dry Silicone spray as this stuff will dry (so it wonxxx8217;t drip) and leaving a lubricated surface. Spray some of it onto the Q-Tip, shake the Q-Tip out to remove any excess then gently and lightly apply the lubricant directly to the 4 magnetic rollers ONLY. Do not apply it to the actual trackball, only the black magnets. Also, don't use to much of it just enough to "dampen" the black magnets.

Once done re-assemble and rotate the track ball around to dispers the lubricant, you may find that you will have to apply another coating of lubricant after this step, just repeat (don't clean it) the lubrication step.

I've done this to my blackberry and afterwards, it works better then new. (y)

helped A LOT THANKS!

Posts: 4
Join Date: May 2008
Model: 8100
PIN: N/A
Carrier: ATT Pearl vs. Curve Trackball - Today, 05:39 PM

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I have a Pearl and recently purchased a Curve on ebay to see if I would like the QWERTY better. The trackball on the Pearl has "travel" and clicks when you press down on it(like pressing a button. The Curve trackball has no downward play and no click or any response tactully when you push it, it does work and execute the choice, but you don't know you did anything till you see the screen.
I thought it was defective and bought an OEM replacement which is supposed to be for the Curve or Pearl, it functions in the same way however.
Is this normal for the Curve!
Thanks for Your help.
Rolech

*SO* not necessary!! Just get a lint-free cloth with some rubbing alcohol! Work the ball around, esp in the direction it's not wanting to go -- you will find the alcohol will eliminate whatever goo may have clogged the ball. **NO** disassembly reqd and I swear i've done this several times and it works 10000 billion percent.

Your ball will be as good as new :D

Well, if the ball has no "click" when pressing down on it then the actual contact on the circuit board has lost it's "snap." You have a defective device.

Edit: just noticed the post above is almost a month old.

@mulberry, sometimes removing the trackball is necessary for cleaning or replacing and this is a good tutorial.

Thanks for the tutorial, worked great for me

doesnt explain how to clean the sensors tho ? :(

Sooo funny to read this post!! Us crackberry users are all the same! I have tried everything noted above to clean the actual ball. It will never look good again so I did the same... Piece of coloured plastic right over the led.

thanks this was helpful

i clean the damn trackball about once a week hahaha

grubby bastard.. lol

Great tutorial, thanks for your dedication on uploading screenies also :)

I Have Done This

nice. great writeup!

did anyone reload their software to get the trackball functioning again?

this was the first thing i had to do to my pearl when i got it after breaking my last phone.

felt like the previous owner had dropped the thing in a box of sand when moving the trackball. some alcohol swabs and a can of air later, feels great.

just note how things came out, will make reassembly much easier.

Brilliant, thanks.

hi
 

i have black trackball too..... i hate it lol