Repair / replace SATA connector - HGST Ultrastar DC HC510?

[scp]

I was upgrading a drive in my array and I accidentally bent back a SATA connector on one of my HGSTs. Its still hanging on and surprisingly functional, but very loose. I had to tape the connector in place since the array is in the middle of a rebuild. I dodged a bullet, but only temporarily.

I plan to swap out the drive from the array next. Is there any way to replace the control board / connectors on it with a donor? Has anyone had any experience with something like this?

It's an HGST Ultrastar DC He10 HC510 HUH721008ALE600, SATA.

 

[msg7086]

Sometimes people just glue this to the drive. Serial ATA 7 & 15 (22-Pin) Male to SATA 22-Pin Female Right Angle Adapter | eBay

 

[andrewbedia]

this can probably be done very carefully with a hot air soldering station if you have a donor board. you can't just swap the entire board.

 

[Twist]

I was supprised how 'easy' it was to replace the connector, I had a WD black with a broken sata connector and a friend had a drive with the same type connector he was throwing away so I decided to save my drive.

I took a small sharp plier and I cut of the old connector,doing it this way I didn't need alot of heat to get it off.



Then I took a dremel and split the donor board in 3 pieces to make it easy to remove and save the connector of my friends drive.


Cleaned the board before fitting the new connector.


And soldered it on.





I didn't use a hot air soldering station, just a Hakko 888, a dremel, some sharp pliers, flux.