Replace 9700 trackpad with 8520 trackpad?

[tashanyaokola]

Just want to know if it is at all possible to replace a 9700 trackpad that doesn't seem to be working with an 8520 trackpad that does work. I own both phones and can't use either - 9700 trackpad dead, 8520 not compatible with my 3G virgin mobile sim card - so my only option is to fix the 9700 and I'm determined to do so!

I have no warranty and have disassembled the phone successfully in the past, so no need for me to take it to a tech shop (they quoted me $80!) because I know how to do it myself. I just want to know if there is a compatibility issue given that they are two separate phone models. It would be great if someone could give me the answer without having to waste time disassembling the 8520 that would be great! If not I'll just buy a new trackpad

[elvin1983]

To be honest I have not idea, but I would think that it would work... I don't think RIM had different size trackpads on different devices, the only thing I would worry about would be the height of the 8520 pad compared to the 9700. You would think it should work though...

[tashanyaokola]

Tried it, verdict is no:

The disassembly process on the 8520 when changing the trackpad is an absolute breeze. One screw is all it takes to expose the trackpad. The 9700? an absolute drag! It's at least an 8 step process to get to the trackpad.

Nevertheless this is why it wont work (to understand this better, watch a youtube vid that shows how to replace a trackpad on a bold) - the copper strip on the 8520 that the trackpad is attached to is shorter and shaped slightly different to the copper strip that the 9700 trackpad is attached to. Therefore, when the 8520 trackpad is inserted in the 9700 and needs to be attached onto the motherboard, it is too short and orients itself in a weird angle such that attaching it is almost impossible. I will say however that if the two trackpad copper strips were shaped in the same way and were the same size, they would be compatible as they both attach/clip onto to each other's motherboards.

Makes sense?

[elvin1983]

Makes perfect sense, thanks for posting your results! This will come in handy if anyone else ever has the same question.