Just a few days ago, we brought word that many users were finding that the sliding lens cover on the Nokia N97 was actually scratching the camera glass, destroying itself. While Nokia has not, to my knowledge, released an official response to this major issue, a few enterprising users have come up with their own temporary fix.
You can order the camera slider assembly from CNN.cn, if you’d like a spare, for $12 and some change. While it’s uber-lame that you would need to do so for a $600+ phone, at least you have the option. So, how do you dismantle the sliding mechanism to fix things?
For starters, you’ll want to remove the memory card, SIM card, and battery from the phone. Next, remove the metal top piece from the camera slider. It is apparently just glued on, but do this carefully. You should now see the blue plastic piece, as pictured below:
Now, simply pull down on the top part of the blue plastic piece, and then pull up, and it should pop right out. You can now take a small nail file and file down *only* the part of the blue plastic piece that slides directly over the camera lens. If you file too much, you’ll end up with a slider that is far too loose, so be careful.
Once you are done, simply snap the blue plastic piece back into place, and don’t forget to put the spring back into position, as well. Replace the outer cover (you might need a *drop* of superglue) and let it set for a little while. You should now notice that the blue plastic piece is not constantly brushing against the camera glass, so no more scratches.
Big thanks to mimoss at HowardForums for the photos and walkthrough – you can ask him any questions in the thread there.
NOTE: Replacing the camera slider yourself will possibly void the warranty on your Nokia N97. We highly recommend that you contact your local Nokia Service Center before attempting the repair yourself. We cannot be held responsible if you try this and damage your phone.
