Broken MacBook Pro Keyboard "Nipple"

[emex]

I accidentially broke off one of my MBP's keys while trying to reach a little piece of tissue that fell under it. The way it came off the two white brackets were attached to the laptop itself. Underneath the key I saw several cat hairs sticking out, so I plucked off a couple more keys and even more cat hair (we're talking LOTS). Each one I plucked off kept the two white brackets attached to the laptop.

Well, this was all fine and good until the smaller white bracket on one of the keys fell out of its position. I tried everything to get it back in, placing it back onto the key itself. For about a hour I fiddled until I tried to get it in by placing the larger white bracket in the silver holders on the laptop and trying to "shove" the key (with the smaller bracket attached) into it. This broke off the little rubber "nipple."

I called my local non-official Apple repair shop and they said they would have been able to re-attach the keys for free but the loss of the nipple, though they have to see it to be sure, may require the replacement of the the entire keyboard (70 dollars for the keyboard + 90 for the labor) .

Does anyone have any experience with this matter and could shed some light on whether the nipple can be reattached?

 

[rogair]

A new keyboard will be required. Even if you placed the nipple carefully on it's pad, it will eventually roll out, rendering the key unusable again.

And I don't think anything like glue would be a good idea either... sorry.

 

[emex]

Dang, that really sucks.

The nipple came off SO easy, I mean, literally, it was nothing. I was very gentle...

I have AppleCare, but the people at my local non-Apple Apple store told me it wasn't going to help me.

If I made an appointment with a genius, do you think they'd show any more sympathy?

 

[heatmiser]

They might, but I'll guess no, as this probably happens a lot, which means they're used to enforcing policy. You might want to shop around and see if you can get a better estimate than the $160.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

This happened with my iBook G3; the comma key's plastic connector bit wouldn't stick to the underneath part. I called Apple, and as I was still covered, they sent a new keyboard no questions asked.

 

[emex]

Just an update:

MacMedia (the local mac retailer) is replacing the entire keyboard free of charge. They've got excellent people working there.

-Max

 

[rogair]

Right on!

Local dealers are great.

 

[geissap]

wow, right on for that company.

Just FYI. If the key ever falls off again. You first put the two pieces of the scissor mechanism together if they've become seperated. Then put the scissor mechanism back in. And then you push the key down onto the scissor mechanism.

Everyone thinks you put the scissor mechanism back on the key first. BUT you don't. Scissor mechanism goes in...and then key snaps into place.

 

[tvhargon]

I had the same problem, but I didn't loose the part. I was able to take a pair of tweezers and carefully lift up two pieces of film, and scoot the nipple underneath.