Issues installing drive in lower bay

[SoupyTwist]

Hi,

I was planning to replace the existing SSD in a 2012 Mac mini I recently acquired with two drives (a Crucial MX500 250 GB SSD and a Seagate BarraCuda 2 TB).

I managed to disassemble the Mac mini, and install the HDD in the upper bay using OWC’s Data Doubler Kit.

However, when I started to reassemble the mini and install the new SSD in the lower bay (around the 5 minute mark in this video, I found that I could only seat the drive in the right hand rubber grommet.

On closer inspection, it appears that whoever installed the existing SSD has damaged the left hand rubber grommet, so I cannot seat the drive in the lower bay’s two rubber grommets comfortably.

I have attached pictures of the grommets as they are at the moment. You can see from the scratches on the plastic around the left hand grommet I had attempted to free the rubber a ring and see if I could restore its original shape, but it seems fairly firmly stuck in its current shape / condition.

My first instinct was that I should either:

1. try and cut a neater / round hole in the grommet so it is closer the shape it should be,
2. or failing that, remove the grommet and adhere the drive’s mounting screws in the hole where the grommet was using a small amount of white tac or similar.

However, before I try that, I have a few quick questions:

1. Has anyone else had a similar issue with the rubber grommets holding the drive in the lower bay? I tried to search the forums but couldn’t find this particular issue (apologies if this has been covered).
2. Can the plastic piece that is holding the two rubber grommets (towards the front of the Mac mini chassis) be easily removed and reinserted in order to fit a new grommet, or is it flued to the interior of the chassis?
3. Can the drive in the lower drive be safely installed without being seated correctly in the hole / grommet? Would there be any issues that arise, or any risk that the two drives would end up touching and causing any issues with vibration, noise, heat etc.

Apologies if I’ve ommited any details, I’m happy to clarify further.

 

[Significant1]

I don't quite see what you mean on my phone's tiny screen. But I will just point out that ssd don't have any moving parts and therefore don't need the same vibration damping mechanical hard drives does. So if you can fit it securely, you should be fine, rubber or not.

edit: ok, took a look on my computer. My answer is more or less the same. 3 fix points should be fine and if you want 4 fix points, you don't need to worry about a vibration damping solution.

 

[Kaida]

1. take out the crooked grommet and try to bend it back but fitting on to the screws and putting it back on.
2. no glue. easily removed but takes a bit of kung fu (and small fingers) to put it back nicely.
3. if you do end up with just 1 side, use the SSD on the lower. no vibration there.
4. If you are in Singapore, i can pass you a couple...

 

[SoupyTwist]

I don't quite see what you mean on my phone's tiny screen. But I will just point out that ssd don't have any moving parts and therefore don't need the same vibration damping mechanical hard drives does. So if you can fit it securely, you should be fine, rubber or not.

edit: ok, took a look on my computer. My answer is more or less the same. 3 fix points should be fine and if you want 4 fix points, you don't need to worry about a vibration damping solution.

Thanks, had hoped vibration wouldn't be an issue, but glad to have confirmation. I'll make sure the SSD and HDD aren't touching, but I imagine the drive bracket doesn't allow for that to happen typically.

1. take out the crooked grommet and try to bend it back but fitting on to the screws and putting it back on.
2. no glue. easily removed but takes a bit of kung fu (and small fingers) to put it back nicely.
3. if you do end up with just 1 side, use the SSD on the lower. no vibration there.
4. If you are in Singapore, i can pass you a couple...

View attachment 1753370

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try bending the grommet back to free it first, then try either removed it or the plastic piece if that fails.

Also, thanks for the offer, I'm in the UK unfortunately.