Getting rid of squeaky sound?!

[noinimod]

Hi guys.. i'm not sure if i got a messed up board, but my backspace key is constantly giving out this squeak whenever it's pressed. Is there anywhere to get rid of it? All the other keys are just fine.

This is my board, the Filco
http://www.filco.com.tw/product.php?page_id=23&product_id=2

Is there some special technique to take out the key without damaging anything? And is there the metal bar thingy on the backspace key? The bar to support the button or whatever you call it.. help!!

[Chloe]

Try putting a little silicone grease on the stabilizing bar underneath the key. Did your Filco come with a keycap remover?

[itlnstln]

I have noticed that the spacebar squeaks a little on both my ABSs.  I'll have to try a little silicone grease as well.

[noinimod]

Try putting a little silicone grease on the stabilizing bar underneath the key. Did your Filco come with a keycap remover?

I'm sorry but i'm new to this stuff; where can i get silicone grease?
Nah it didn't.. should i pry it open with a flat-head screwdriver then?

Oh yes, the stabilizing bar. I was afraid that when i wanna put back the key.. i won't be able to get the bar in the right position? Since it's inserted into the key with some special 'technique

[Chloe]

Don't use a screwdriver, you can damage a key or switch this way. You can use a pair of paper clips either side of the key, and pull up. You can get silicone grease from Ebay or electronics suppliers.

[ozar]

I have noticed that the spacebar squeaks a little on both my ABSs.  I'll have to try a little silicone grease as well.

My ABS spacebar squeaks as well.  It seems to be intermittent, though.

[itlnstln]

When I am typing fast, I don't notice it.  If I am being a little deliberate in my typing and press the spacebar slower, I tend to hear it then.  I didn't hear it squeak at all in this post.

[karlito]

Hi guys.. i'm not sure if i got a messed up board, but my backspace key is constantly giving out this squeak whenever it's pressed. Is there anywhere to get rid of it? All the other keys are just fine.

This is my board, the Filco
http://www.filco.com.tw/product.php?page_id=23&product_id=2

Is there some special technique to take out the key without damaging anything? And is there the metal bar thingy on the backspace key? The bar to support the button or whatever you call it.. help!!

my filco does the same thing.  it's the stupid stabilizer bars that squeak.  The only way i know how to fix this (done it twice)
take off the key and stabilizer bar
clean them up real good
clean brackets that hold the stabilizer
Lube the brackets that hold the stabilizer bar I use silicone or Teflon from walmart.

[lal]

Just want to mention my new Filco mini does it too.  Especially apparent with backspace.  It's squeaking really loud
Gotta get some grease.  Can anyone recommend a product that's easily available in Germany?

[talis]

Just want to mention my new Filco mini does it too.  Especially apparent with backspace.  It's squeaking really loud
Gotta get some grease.  Can anyone recommend a product that's easily available in Germany?

See if you can find a local electronics store, most reasonably large cities have at least one.  They usually stock silicon grease, and its usually fairly cheap.  Check radio repair shops as well.

White lithium grease you can buy at almost any hardware store.

[Lenny_Nero]

I have used silicon spray (car dashboard clean/sheen type stuff) with the straw/tube you often get with spray lube 'WD-40' on the large key stabilizer bars on a few 'boards.

The plan was just for a short term fix until I did it right by pulling the key and using a white teflon grease for a long term fix, but as I remember it lasted for quite a lot longer than I expected and stopped the lop-sided squelchy feel the keys had.

I have also used it (the silicon spray) on cleaned up rubber domes. Spray it over the top of the rubber membrane, and over the back of the captive keys themselves makes them feel just that bit better ...but still a rubber dome 'board.

[lal]

The squeaking is gone on my Filco without me doing anything about it, i.e. I have not yet had the chance to get some grease.  Nevertheless there's no more squeaking.  Maybe it just wanted to be used for some time.  Either that or it's because of the weather (hot).

[ohmage]

please forgive me for bumping an old thread but can leaving the key squeaky for a long time do any sort of damage? thanks

[ch_123]

No, it's actually quite common with mechanical switches on the bigger keys but there's no damage that it can cause.

[Viett]

Anyone else here ever use graphite? I was short of silicone once so I just practically drew on my stabilizer and it fixed the squeak.

[itlnstln]

If it's the stabilizer causing the problem, drawing on the contact points with a pencil shouldn't cause any problem.  It may need re-application from time to time, though.

[genzeleam]

Not to bump an old thread but I have to thank you fellas on this one. I also read your o-ring mod thread, tried it, wasn't for me. Still a good solution. I like the clack of my keyboard anyway.

Just bought a Filco Majestouch-2 Ninja with brown switches off Amazon (unavailable a few days later, sweet!). Love the thing but I started realizing that any key with a stabilizer in it made that clinky-squeaky sound. Ended up reading this post and picked up some white lithium grease from Ace. I put quite a bit on each key (but not enough to change the feel of the keys; I had to wipe some grease off the left shift stabilizer).

All keys were working great with no unwanted sound except the spacebar which still had a little squeak that was driving me crazy. Turns out, after inspecting it a week later, that the stabilizer was also hitting the base of the switch. Greased it up (as well as just under the stabilizer just in case) and the problem was solved.

Anyway, thanks for the mod. This is my first mechanical keyboard and I'm loving the thing. :typing:

[genzeleam]

Not to bump an old thread but I have to thank you fellas on this one. I also read your o-ring mod thread, tried it, wasn't for me. Still a good solution. I like the clack of my keyboard anyway.

Just bought a Filco Majestouch-2 Ninja with brown switches off Amazon (unavailable a few days later, sweet!). Love the thing but I started realizing that any key with a stabilizer in it made that clinky-squeaky sound. Ended up reading this post and picked up some white lithium grease from Ace. I put quite a bit on each key (but not enough to change the feel of the keys; I had to wipe some grease off the left shift stabilizer).

All keys were working great with no unwanted sound except the spacebar which still had a little squeak that was driving me crazy. Turns out, after inspecting it a week later, that the stabilizer was also hitting the base of the switch. Greased it up (as well as just under the stabilizer just in case) and the problem was solved.

Anyway, thanks for the mod. This is my first mechanical keyboard and I'm loving the thing. :typing:

[genzeleam]

Haha - I think we switched posting order.  Congrats on the Filco!

Thanks man.

Edit: That's awesome. A minute within each other on a year old post.

[itlnstln]

Wow.  Way to dig up a classic thread.

See Chloe, noobs?  She was a legend.  Her and Sandy55 went of to form a keyboard Zen colony somewhere in the South Pacific.  They had/have more keyboard knowledge than the rest of the world combined.  Legends.

[heedpantsnow]

Sorry, just gotta post this here:
[video=youtube;HdiXSsFp29s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdiXSsFp29s[/video]

[wasdkeyboards]

For Costar-style stabilizers, you can get squeak from either friction of the stabilizer bar on the key inserts or from the stabilizer clips that are mounted to the frame.

Troubleshooting Squeaky Keys with Stabilizers:
1. Remove keycap
2. Remove stabilizer bar
3. Check stabilizer bar against a flat object to ensure it is straight. Also, check the two "loops" to make sure they are aligned with each other.
5. Make the the inserts on the key are fully inserted into the stem.
6. Check the stabilizer clips. This clip holds and allows the stabilizer bar to pivot and guides the key inserts to make them travel straight down instead of wobbling around. You will see two "posts" that guides the insert. Make sure these are perpendicular to the base plate. If one post is not align, it can cause squeaking, rubbing, or even cause a key to not travel smoothly/get stuck.
7. Grease all contact points. White lithium grease from any home/auto store will do the trick. All contact points include the area in the "loop" of the insert and along the flat sides of the insert that slides along the stablizer clips.
8. If the key still squeaks, take the stabilizer clips out and try swapping them around. (ie: The left one for the right one).

[godly_music]

The stabilizers I lubed with silicone grease have started squeaking again after about 8 months (I think), and the grease has made all kinds of stuff stick to the PCB.

[godly_music]

Update on greasing!

8 months after applying silicone grease onto the stabilizers of my Cherry G80, it has started to wear off and go squeaky again. There's also a sizeable area on the PCB around the stabilizers that's now icky sticky and covered with dust and dirt.

Cleaned the board thoroughly with ethyl alcohol.

Applied PTFE to each stabilizer and pretty much filled each switch up with the stuff. Let it dry. When I plugged the keyboard back in, some keys would not work. But after a warmup period, they all work now. So yes, nonconductive lubricant messes with the switches too, but it's not an issue. Funny thing though. The switches feel a tad heavier rather than lighter. They are very smooth though. If this changes over time, I'll let you know.