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 void. 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.

• Small screwdriver (no bigger than 2.5mm)
• Plastic spudger (Spudger (922-5065) - iFixit)
• A small plier.
• Fingers and nails.



Getting started.

1. First you want to remove the “chrome plastic ring” with a screwdriver or plastic spudger.




2. After removing the “chrome plastic ring” 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.


UPDATE:
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 “scroll wheels”, and start scraping off the dust as shown with your nail. Do not use any kind of tools for this, since it’s shaped like a gear and any hard objects will damage it. Then the trackball want get any grip for rolling friction, and you’re basically screwed.




6. When you’re done, assemble the trackball with the “scroll wheels, black magnet” facing clockwise. And the “plastic lock” 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.

Thanks!

I hope it's a long time before I need this but, you have made it a lot easier.

Very nice guide!

thanks a lot, ill save this thread in my favorites... ;) that way wenever i need it ill use it... my BB is still new but ill need it ;) thanks a lot bro

gracias!!

Yep, excellent guide. One note....On the newer devices the inner retaining ring is not used. There is only the trackball assembly and it's held in with the plastic outer ring.

I hope I never have to use this but this is an awesome tutorial.

beautiful.......sweet....awesome

thanks for sharing ..........u r the man

Nice write up evenmosbek; even better with high quality pictures!

actually, i have disassembled a curve with the inner retaining ring.
it is one of the first release.
so it is possible that it could be there at some devices es.
fyi

Thanks. if anyone must have larger pictures, i have them in 2816 x 2112(approximately 3mb each). but imageshack dont support img above 1.5mb

Perfect instructions....used it to "sharpie" my trackball LED on my 8130.

I didn't take apart the actual trackball assembly, just took the whole thing out, and dabbed it with a blue sharpie.

The blue color looks great, and disassembly on a scale from 1-10....

It was a 1.5. I kid you not.

Thanks again for the terrific thread!

I want your camera ! lol
I usualy just take a piece of duct tape to the magnet part of the rollers and it clears it up for me .Once in a blue moon I'll have to dismatle the whole thing to clean it. I work at a machine shop so i have become quite good at this from it getting dirty so much. Good write up though.

Thanks for the helpful guide. I will do this someday, but for now I will pass because mine is still awfully clean

duct tape was actualy a good idea. i'm gona try that next time.

Good write up. Thanks. I tired this with my new 8130 becuse down on the trackball was getting kinda messy after about a month and a half. Not worth the time and effort in my book. I wouldnt have to expect to pay no more than $15 for the outter ring and ball assembly. Seeing that my outter ring has some dings, it would be nice to replace both.

Where can I buy the outter ring and trackball assembly?

Try Cellular Accessories - HTC, Tools, Microsoft, Sony, Nokia, Apple, BlackBerry, NEC, 3G, LG, Motorola, Ac
or
BlackBerry Repair Shop - A full line of RIM BlackBerry repair services and BlackBerry parts for all BlackBerry handheld devices

thx for the info

You would think you wouldn't need this... until the day you compair your Pearl with a brand spankin new one... I did that and I was like "wow..." at the differences, it slow gets darker and darker and you wouldn't even notice it.

nice! great post!