How to clean your BlackBerry trackball
Before starting, I will take a moment to remind you that you are responsible for your own blackberry. And if any damage is done, the guarantee is no longer valid. And I do not take any responsibility for what happens.
This guide is basically for BB
88xx,
83xx,
81xx.
The below pics are copyrighted. Do not copy or post
on other sites without permission from me.
Tools you want to use.
xxx8226; Small screwdriver (no bigger than 2.5mm)
xxx8226; Plastic spudger (
Spudger (922-5065) - iFixit)
xxx8226; A small plier.
xxx8226; Fingers and nails.
Getting started.
1. First you want to remove the xxx8220;chrome plastic ringxxx8221; with a screwdriver or plastic spudger.
2. After removing the xxx8220;chrome plastic ringxxx8221; on an 81xx you will find a inner retaining ring that holds the trackball in place. This metal ring is very fragile, so do not use force. Work With it.
At the 83xx and 88xx your inner retaining ring is replased with a new chrome ring, that is suppose to hold the trackball in plase.
On a chrome ring for the 8100, the highlighted area is flat.
3. After this is done, you can now carefully remove the trackball. Notice the white guide pins on both sides of the trackball. When you assemble the trackball, you want these to be on both sides as shown, or else it want fit.
TIPS:
If your scroll is not functioning one way, for example left. just turn 180º, put it back, and try again.
If you now can scroll to the left, but not right, you probably need to clean it (Next step).
But if its not working, even after cleaning it, the sensor maybe defect, and hopefully you still have some warranty left.
The tricky part.
4. Disassembling the trackball require steady hands. Remember how you disassembled it. Because it all must be assemble correctly. And again, do not use force at the metal piece, this one is very fragile. It locks easy, and it is. Just take your time.
5. Now just take out one of the xxx8220;scroll wheelsxxx8221;, and start scraping off the dust as shown with your nail. Do not use any kind of tools for this, since itxxx8217;s shaped like a gear and any hard objects will damage it. Then the trackball want get any grip for rolling friction, and youxxx8217;re basically screwed.
UPDATE: make sure thats the object thats is highligthed is aligned at the same side of the trackball and are faceing the same way as shown in picture.
6. When youxxx8217;re done, assemble the trackball with the xxx8220;scroll wheels, black magnetxxx8221; facing clockwise. And the xxx8220;plastic lockxxx8221; as shown. Click it all in place. Check it, double check it. Then assemble the rest.
Also, be aware of clammy/greasy/wet fingers and pocket dust. A combo of these makes the trackball defect.
So wash your hands boy!
hope the description is good enough.
good luck!