You do NOT have to replace the ENTIRE top case. Although it is STRONGLY advised (as it is a HUGE pain in your !*& to replace), you can still replace the keyboard yourself.
* I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES DONE TO YOUR LAPTOP COMPUTER THROUGH THIS PROCESS!! ***
- Very VERY carefully... remove the:
- Battery (to avoid unwanted electrical discharges)
- Remove the HDD
- Remove the Fan
- Remove the SuperDrive/Optical Drive/CD ROM Drive (Whatever you personally refer it to as)
- Remove the Logic Board and MagSafe Charging Board
Your computer should look COMPLETELY empty inside.
You should see a black sheet and slowly VERY CAREFULLY peal that away and so forth.
!!!!YouTube it!!!!!
You should now see a metal grid-like thing with a whole bunch of screw-holes. Remove all of the screws.
Vwala!
Replace the keyboard as desired, starting with the metal sheet from the keyboard. Replace the old metal sheet and work your way in reverse. :P
VERY ANNOYING!!
Estimated Time to Replace Keyboard:
1 hour and 30 minutes (on a non-busy day)