T40p Trackpad left mouse button is loose. Fix? Replace?

[phaxmohdem]

The other day in class, I went to click on something using the trackpad on my T40p, and noticed that the left mouse button was wobbly and loose (and loud) compared to the right button, and if pressed on its extremities will sometimes not even register a click.

I'm not sure when, or even how this happened, as I use the trackpoint or an external mouse probably 90% of the time.. but it still annoys me nonetheless.

Is it possible to purchase a replacement trackpad, or will I need a whole new palm rest?

I've tried gently pressing down and wiggling it around to see if would pop back in place, to no avail.

Has this happened to anyone else?

[rkawakami]

The touchpad/button assembly can be removed from the palmrest and replaced but you can't really change out the individual buttons. Here's some pictures I just took of a T41:

http://www.kawakami-ca.com/ibm_t41/touchpad/

The button assembly has an FRU of 93P4696 and there currently are several eBay sellers who are selling them. Some appear to include the touchpad, while others are just selling the buttons.

A good cleaning might help. Removing all of the debris that can find its way underneath the button may be all that's needed. Close inspection of the wire hinge and plastics could reveal a broken or missing piece, in which case you could buy the replacement button assembly OR the entire palmrest if it's cheaper and you don't want to deal with the ribbon cables and screws.