Opening the device to fix loose volume key? Risks? Warranty repercussions?

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Sooo, since I was unhappy about my loose & noisy volume key, I tried opening the device to see if the volume key could be modded and discovered that after I had removed the screws on the back panel and pried the back casing apart from the screen/bezel, I had caused a small round plastic knob-shaped piece to snap off. The knob (simply looks like a ~5mm circle when you remove the battery cover) is located directly to the right of the SIM card and to the left of a screw. It is also directly above the upper right-hand corner of the battery.

Underneath this knob was a tiny round copper piece from the main board. After failing to come up with a solution for the volume key, I snapped everything back on, screwed it back together and was able to jam the round knob back into place.

Is this a trigger for TMobile to know that the device has been opened? This might be a silly question, but does opening the device void the warranty? I mean, computer HDDs, for example, usually have seals over screws accompanied by warnings that you'll void the warranty if the seal is broken, but the phone had no such seals or warnings (except for the piece that snapped off).

Note, the phone works perfectly after getting it back together and there are almost no signs of tampering.

Any experience opening up the device? Does that knob serve a purpose? What was the round copper piece underneath the knob? Did I void my warranty? Can anyone fix the annoying loose volume key??

Thanks,
Rookie modder (now going into retirement).

well i am no expert and this is my first post here on XDA, but i think you did void your warranty, but let me ask one question, if your phone was under warranty and you have a loose volume key why not just take it back and get a replacement instead of opening the phone and trying to fix it yourself?

Good question. I opened it up because I was feeling ambitious/curious/impatient.

Hmm, I'd post a pic of the location of the knob, but I'm restricted because I'm a new poster.

in my experience opening up a phone will always void the warranty.

Normally opening the phone voids the warranty. But as long as there wasn't any noticable damage your should be okay

Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Pretty sure the little round knob is just a cover for the copper piece which is probably related to some kind of external antenna connection.

Opening the phone DOES void your warranty, but only if Tmo or Samsung catches it. Usually there's some kind of tell tale sign, like a sticker covering a screw, but I don't see one. That doesn't mean there isn't one, so you may have triggered it unknowingly.

Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Hmm, if I go into a store and they don't notice it, and do an exchange for me, do they send the phone back to corporate to be later inspected? If something is caught then, will they take action?

My guess is that if the staff at the store doesn't catch it, they will be hard pressed to prove that your phone was damaged by your opening of the case. If they do send it in, you can argue that the "chain of custody" has been broken and that the phone was not in your possession when any damage may have occurred. On the other hand, if they get motivated enough they could tack the new phone fee onto your bill after they find out and then disconnect you if you don't pay. This all depends on which state/country you live in, of course, as state warranty laws supersede any provisions T-Mobile may have.

Return the phone before the grace period ends and you should be alright. Don't wait. Return it.

Returned in-store. Worked out awesome. New button is much better!