Squeaky pedal

[ceapaire]

So, the sostenuto pedal on my upright is squeaky. For the first few minutes of play it's normally fine but after that it gets unbearably squeaky. I've looked up lots of articles online but they all start with opening up the back of the piano O.O - I can't do that. I opened up the top but I can't see any movement when I press/release the pedal so I can't tell where the squeak is coming from at that angle.

Is there anything I can do? Someone on Yahoo recommended just squirting some WD-40 in from the outside of the pedal, but that makes me very nervous Besides that, my dog has a habit of licking the bottom of the piano and I don't want to accidentally poison her  

It's due to get tuned over the summer anyway, should I just put up with it til then and ask the technician to do something about it?  

EDIT: Forgot to mention it's a Yamaha U3, if anyone knows what the geography of this particular piano is like you might be able to help?

[quantum]

Open up the lower front panel of the piano.  If you look under the keybed there is probably some sort of latch mechanism.  Unhook the latch, and tilt the panel out toward you.  You may then remove the panel and set it aside. 

Examine the pedal mechanism for the source of the squeak.  Stay away from WD-40.  Piano tech's often carry graphite powder for lubricant.  As a substitute you can use the graphite from a pencil or artist graphite stick (you can get in an art supply store). 

If the source of the squeak is a rubber grommet, you could also use scrapings of candle wax as lubricant. 

Take note that the vertical rod connecting the lower pedal mechanism to the action may fall out of place as you play with it.  This is not a big problem, you just have to note where the connection points are before it does fall out.  You may have to remove the top panel in order to see where it connects to the action. 

[ceapaire]

Open up the lower front panel of the piano.  If you look under the keybed there is probably some sort of latch mechanism.  Unhook the latch, and tilt the panel out toward you.  You may then remove the panel and set it aside. 

Examine the pedal mechanism for the source of the squeak.  Stay away from WD-40.  Piano tech's often carry graphite powder for lubricant.  As a substitute you can use the graphite from a pencil or artist graphite stick (you can get in an art supply store). 

If the source of the squeak is a rubber grommet, you could also use scrapings of candle wax as lubricant. 

Take note that the vertical rod connecting the lower pedal mechanism to the action may fall out of place as you play with it.  This is not a big problem, you just have to note where the connection points are before it does fall out.  You may have to remove the top panel in order to see where it connects to the action. 

Yes you're right - there's a small handle just underneath the keyboard that I'd never noticed before. I'll try out your suggestion at once! Thank you very much