Alright, It's Time To Open This HHKB Up

[Corsa1r]

I absolutely love my Type-S, I got it a month and a half ago and nearly everything is perfect about it with the exception of the space bar.  It rattles (slightly) if I am typing at any type of meaningful frequency, and I've decided to do something about it. My question is:  What's the overall best thing to do for such a problem?  I've heard using Kritox 205 can help and that a certain type of pad can stop the rattle, but I'd like to know from those that have actually done it (or have extensive knowledge of topre keyboards), what thje best way to do this is.

I've never taken a keyboard apart in my life, but I'm looking forward to fixing dis ting asap.

[SpAmRaY]

Be careful opening the case up you don't break the tabs that hold the front side together.

[Polymer]

I absolutely love my Type-S, I got it a month and a half ago and nearly everything is perfect about it with the exception of the space bar.  It rattles (slightly) if I am typing at any type of meaningful frequency, and I've decided to do something about it. My question is:  What's the overall best thing to do for such a problem?  I've heard using Kritox 205 can help and that a certain type of pad can stop the rattle, but I'd like to know from those that have actually done it (or have extensive knowledge of topre keyboards), what thje best way to do this is.

I've never taken a keyboard apart in my life, but I'm looking forward to fixing dis ting asap.

Generally re-seating the space bar helps in this regard...but they tend to fall back into the normal "clink clink"...

The best solution without taking it apart?  PBT Space bar...Not sure why but I suspect the tighter fit of these is helping keep the stabilizers from getting loose and clanking around...

[nmur]

definitely try reseating the space bar first like Polymer suggests.

taking apart topre boards are a bit tricky because of how the domes are only lightly adhered to the pcb. if you're not careful with them and some fall off, you'll have to carefully place the springs and domes back exactly where they were as you assemble it again, which is a huge pain

[Corsa1r]

I'll try to reseat it, thanks.

If I wouldn't have to take it apart, that would be great. Where's the best place to pick up a pbt spacebar for a topre board?

[Crossfire]

Reseating won't do much in terms of curing the problem, from my experience at least. Don't be afraid to open her up, unscrew some 20 screws, carefully put it apart (pcb and upper casing) and then with a appropriate tool (I've used flat screwdriver) dissasemble the whole spacebar stabilizer - clean the factory grease and properly lube the contacts between the wire and plastic. If you apply more lube, the stab will be a bit more slugish but more compact, so it's mandatory to lube and test, add or remove some, test again...that way you'll find the feeling with the stab you like best. 
Here is my pro 1 cleaning and restoration photoalbum. I've used gpl205, very happy with the results.
http://imgur.com/a/2JrqC

[sth]

Reseating won't do much in terms of curing the problem, from my experience at least. Don't be afraid to open her up, unscrew some 20 screws, carefully put it apart (pcb and upper casing) and then with a appropriate tool (I've used flat screwdriver) dissasemble the whole spacebar stabilizer - clean the factory grease and properly lube the contacts between the wire and plastic. If you apply more lube, the stab will be a bit more slugish but more compact, so it's mandatory to lube and test, add or remove some, test again...that way you'll find the feeling with the stab you like best. 
Here is my pro 1 cleaning and restoration photoalbum. I've used gpl205, very happy with the results.
http://imgur.com/a/2JrqC

pro 1! looks great.

thick grease also works well - just dab a glob on the bent ends of the stabilizer wire, enough to slow it down in the stabilizer housing. doesn't take a lot and doesn't affect the feel of the spacebar at least in a bad way -- and completely kills the spacebar clack.

[nocturalowl]

you can read this guide too for opening and modding hhkb http://imgur.com/a/b8Zw7
i got the same problem in my stock pro 2 (non type-s ). I use ek stabilizer lube to lubing the space bar. Don't be stingy when you lube them or you will have to pull apart your keyboard several times.

[sth]

[Corsa1r]

^Lol,

I recently picked up some 'high-viscosity' mech lube from elitekeyboards.com for one of my cherry board's stabilizers, I'm assuming that should do the job admirably.  I'll update when I have the time to get it all done.

[yomammary]

I'll try to reseat it, thanks.

If I wouldn't have to take it apart, that would be great. Where's the best place to pick up a pbt spacebar for a topre board?

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=72127.0
GB isn't active right now, but I'm suspecting it will be sometime this year. Or contact Matt3o and see if he has any pre-production samples.

[Polymer]

Reseating won't do much in terms of curing the problem, from my experience at least.

It might not fix it at all or might not fix it permanently..For my HHKB it fixed it for a long time but it would eventually come back.

PBT spacebar fixes it permanently (at least so far).

I'd try those before popping open my hhkb...

[mobbo]

Yeah I've noticed PBT helps a lot - if not solving the problem completely (plus you probably want a PBT spacebar anyways!)

You're probably looking for a white/grey one. I have an extra black one I could send you, let me know if you're interested.

[Corsa1r]

Thanks for the offer, mobbo!  I'd really like to get a (off)white pbt space bar to match the rest of the board, though.

So I re-seated the spacebar as you guys described and it marginally helped make it more consistent-sounding, but I'm still hearing a slight click, and now the upstroke seems a bit louder than before.  All in all, it's marginally 'better', I re-seated it a few times and got it as quiet as I could that way.

Looks like the next step may be the PBT space bar route route as soon as I can find one.  This is at least bearable now, though.  If I end up taking it apart and lubing it or installing some sort of pad to help with silencing, I'll explain it here.

[Vittra]

How's it feel with the spring underneath the spacebar removed? Any better?

Be careful using Mechlube on anything Topre. You are going to have to be really stringent regarding using the least amount possible to achieve the desired effect, or you may end up with things being worse off.

[demik]

be gentle pls

[LiquidEvilGaming]

I absolutely love my Type-S, I got it a month and a half ago and nearly everything is perfect about it with the exception of the space bar.  It rattles (slightly) if I am typing at any type of meaningful frequency, and I've decided to do something about it. My question is:  What's the overall best thing to do for such a problem?  I've heard using Kritox 205 can help and that a certain type of pad can stop the rattle, but I'd like to know from those that have actually done it (or have extensive knowledge of topre keyboards), what thje best way to do this is.

I've never taken a keyboard apart in my life, but I'm looking forward to fixing dis ting asap.

This is one of the reasons if/when i order a HHKB i'll be doing so from EK with the extended warranty....i doubt i could repair a Topre to save my life..i'm uncomfortable even changing keycaps one one to be honest since i'm still so new to them.

[appleonama]

Never knew it took a thread to open a HKKB  I had a rattle issue as well just reseat the space bar a couple times and make sure the spring placed correctly. Also make sure the gaps on the space bar stem are smooth I had some residue on my black HKKB which caused the space at to rattle.