Metal computer desk keyboard tray broke/is stuck shut

[DBDigital]

Hi all,
I have a older Dainolite model DCT-214-SV-SV computer desk/workstation/server (here is an image https://www.lowes.com/pd/Dainolite-Lighting-Silver-Powder-Coated-Computer-Desk/4695359). It has wheels and a compact footprint which is what I need for my currently limited space. I have looked around and haven't found anything else that fits my needs. (metal, the size, powder coated, etc). It is wonderful except for this keyboard tray problem.

What happened is at one point the keyboard slider stuck shut. The rails seemed to "drift" after a period of time. Meaning that it would still stick out further than it used to when in the fully closed position. What I did was push it a little more and it would realign it. Well one day I was doing this and I heard a click/thunk and now it won't open or budge (it is stuck at about 2 inches from full closure). Something locked inside the rails and so far I haven't been able to find out exactly what happened. Due to how it is made, I can't remove the rails from the legs of the desk. I can remove the tray, but if I do that one nut will fall off and stay inside the rail as I can't get to it. But even then, I can't see inside the rail to see what jammed/locked.

The rails/tray do have a lock in the fully extended position and you pushed on little metal fingers to release that. Perhaps they got stuck on something (only one side though not both), but again I can't see what.

I feel there must be a way to fix this. Anyone else run into this kind of a problem? I see these kinds of trays and rails all over so someone must have seen it before. The desk is really solid/heavy and well built, I just hope I can fix this somehow.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Hmm did you buy it assembled?

Can you take the hutch part off so you can flip the rest upside down on to the desk surface? Then you might be able to see what you are doing a little easier.

 

[sneekypeet]

They look like typical bearing sliders on the KB tray. Measure the length and hit up a hardware store for replacements. a few screws and you should be good to go.

 

[Bill_Bright]

They look like typical bearing sliders on the KB tray. Measure the length and hit up a hardware store for replacements. a few screws and you should be good to go.

I agree but I think his problem is getting the old sliders off.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yeah screws tend to loosen up after a while of use so just use a flat bar lightly and pull as you've always done.
If it pops loose just tighten screws once all the way out.

 

[DBDigital]

Nope, I didn't buy it assembled. Which is how I know I can't replace the sliders. They are either welded or something else to the frame. At least I don't see any signs of screws or anything else to attach them to the two legs on either side. I can remove the top part no problem and flip it. But hasn't helped me figure out what went wrong. The whole thing is held together with screws EXCEPT for these sliders. It is the one part I can't seem to take apart and fix.

I agree but I think his problem is getting the old sliders off.

I agree they look like a lot of sliders (and are ball bearing type), if I could find a way to get off the old, I would do that. And yes that is my main problem. And if I could get them apart I bet I could fix it. The rails look like they are in good shape, like new even.

Hi,
Yeah screws tend to loosen up after a while of use so just use a flat bar lightly and pull as you've always done.
If it pops loose just tighten screws once all the way out.

As for the screws loosening up, I don't think it is that it. Unless there are screws inside somehow but if there are, again even with the tray removed, I don't see how to get to them. The ones attaching the tray itself to the rails are tight. And the rails aren't loose on the legs either.

I did try to stick a old-fashioned straightened wire coat hanger in there and feel around see if I could find something that got hung up. Didn't feel anything. A bar might be a better idea, if I could find one the right size. It seems funny there isn't a way to take these sliders apart.

 

[Wirko]

Remove everything from the desk, then topple it over. Then again, in different positions. Try moving the tray. Maybe gravity can help you by moving some loose part out of the wrong place. Easier said than done, sure, but that's probably what I would do next in this situation.

 

[DBDigital]

So far no go. I will try moving it around again on different sides. Whatever it was is tight. It wasn't a loose part that jammed something up. Felt and heard a THUNK when it happened. I always thought it should pop right back if I pulled and wiggled, but it is locked/jammed but good.