Dell Latitude E6520 spacebar key sound

I have my new Dell Latitude E6520 for a month. Great laptop! However, there is a problem that is very annoying. When I press the spacebar key in the right side there is a high frequency, squeeze-like annoying sound. I don't know how to describe the sound more accurately! Does anyone have a similar problem? Is this a reason to request from Dell to change my keyboard?

Thanks in advance!

 

Is there any food or anything stuck down there?

 

Yes, it's something worth resolving. You could report it to Dell to get it on record and ask about remedies. It may be possible to reseat the spacebar key and/or put some fine lub on it (food grade liquid silicone lub). Or reseat the whole keyboard. Or ultimately have Dell replace it.

GK

 

Thank you both for your anwsers!

There is no food or anything stuck there. I'm very carefull with my equipment. I thought about putting some lub but I'm not sure how to take the key off and I don't want to do any damage. Although I will contact Dell support on Monday, are there any thoughts or a guide to help me to safely remove the key?

 

From what I've read here, the usual approach is to gently pry/pop it off. And pop it back on.

GK

 

i had exactly the same problem with mine after a few weeks use - took it out, reseated it, no difference. ended up getting a replacement keyboard shipped out - arrived the next day. strange because i actually prefer the second keyboard, the nib seems a bit more responsive

 

Thanks GK for your help! I found a solution. I carefully removed the key and gently put a very small amount of oil in the metal retainer under the key and especially in the plastic clip that holds the metal bar. And the annoying sound stopped! When the oil wears off, I will put some fine lub on it and problem solved!

 

Sounds good... quiet!

My favorite lub for plastic is food-grade silicone spray sold in dive shops. A wet Q-tip goes a long way. It does not persist forever but with plastic, surface conditions change over time.

GK

 

my M4600 spacebar is starting to squeak too. i have no intention of opening it up so will call dell and get them to replace it.

 

I had good success with GK and zaxos' lubrication suggestions. I took a picture of the spacebar removed from my Latitude E6520 in case it helps others. The space bar attaches with four clips on each side (green). I found it easiest to remove the space bar by:

1. Gently lifting under the right edge of the spacebar with my finger until the top clip snaps out
2. Then doing the same for the left.
3. The bottom clips attach to a metal bar that runs along the bottom (yellow), which I slowly removed by separating from right to left.

The metal-on-metal hinge (red) appeared to be the primary source of the noise, and I lubricated with lithium grease. I lubricated the plastic-on-plastic clips (green) with a synthetic lubricant. I didn't lubricate the four plastic-on-metal clips, but my noise is gone nonetheless.

Feel free to ask me to clarify if my picture or description is not clear.