Where to buy replacement Rubber Rails for 7mm HDD for T530?

I recently bought a T530, which came with a 7mm HDD and the rubber rails that have an extra layer, making them fit 7mm drives. I promptly (D'OH!) butchered the rails to try to fit my 9mm SSD, which failed repeatedly to factory restore. So I bought another SSD, which ended up being 7mm, so I glued some of the cut up bits of rubber back on to the rubber rails to make it fit well enough.

But now I need to send my Thinkpad in for repair, with my HDD (they need to re-image it), so I need to find a replacement set of 7mm rubber rails, because I fear that something as stupid as a butchered/glued set might void my warranty.

Unfortunately, it seems like the only rubber rails available online (eBay, etc) are the 9mm ones, without the extra layer of rubber. I could order them from Lenovo, but they cost $40 dollars, which is insane. Does anybody know where I can find the 7mm rails (with the extra layer of rubber) online? I already have the Lenovo box to send my T530 in at my house waiting, so I need to find something fast. Does anybody have an extra pair they would be willing to sell?

 

Hard Drive Rubber Rails for IBM Lenovo ThinkPad X220 X220i X220S X220T 7mm New | eBay

Bought these the other day. Search eBay for "7mm rubber lenovo" and you are bound to come across some.

Edit: oh, I see. The ones I linked don't have the extra rubber void on them. They are intended for computers that take a 7mm drive out of the box (i.e. X230). I don't know where to find the ones you are looking for (7mm for intended 9mm drives/bays).

Sorry.

 

Since the hard drive is a CRU (Customer Replaceable Unit), you can relax. None of that stuff will void your warranty.

Personally, I'd just send it back with no rails.

 

Lenovo has two different types of 7mm rubber rails!?!?!?

>TILT!<

Would you please be kind and provide a description of the difference(s)?

Thanks very much!

Edit: Never mind; I mis-read what you wrote.

 

Yeah, do this. They will most likely send it back with the rails installed, so no need hunting the entire internet to find them.

 

Are you sure? It seems reasonable for them to say, "This guy wasn't even using the rubber rails with his HDD, of course it broke, warranty VOID!"

You're saying that since it is a CRU, I could send it back with my HDD with no rails at all, and they will probably just give me a free set of rails, which they usually charge 40 bucks for?

 

Huh, no.

You need the same drive re-imaged, correct? What have you broken, then?

You're obviously not used to the good side of Lenovo. I've received machines with brand new keyboards/palmrests etc. after a motherboard swap.

Obviously, YMMV in this respect, but if all you're doing is sending the machine back to be re-imaged, there's nothing to be concerned about.

 

Yeah, YMMV, but I really doubt Lenovo would scrutinize it and immediately assume the user (you) destroyed the hard drive due to missing rails.

My guess is they will just re-image, install rails and probably clean the machine up (physically) and send it right back to you. I don't view my past experiences with Lenovo support as them hunting for a reason to deny your warranty claim. Many companies do this these days, but Lenovo isn't one of them.

If they reach out to you (the won't) about the missing rails, just say you have no clue what they are referring to. Act like a clueless soccer mom. They won't care.

But that will never happen so you don't need to be dishonest. Or you could just tell them the truth. Either way, they don't care and you aren't going to get grilled about two little missing pieces of rubber.

Just my take. I would send it in and not worry about it.

 

Thanks for the reassuring advice, guys. I just sent it in today, complete with re-glued rails, since I don't want the HDD to get damaged in shipping. They might not even open it up to see them.

 

Be kind and let us know what happens.

 

7mm to 9.5mm rubber rails:

Thinkpad lenovo IBM 7mm to 9.5mm hdd rubber rail | eBay

I just bought a set, I need it for installing a 7mm SSD in my (good old) T60.