Trouble with Mini PCIe Slot on X220

After years of not going for a mSATA SSD due to cost, I finally took the plunge & bought a Plextor 256Gb M5 series mSATA SSD. Upon trying to install it earlier today it just wouldn't fit, no matter what angle I tried. On closer inspection the reason became apparent: 2 of the slot pins/grooves (if that's what you call them) had collapsed down into the gap through which the drive was meant to fit, & wouldn't budge at all.
Given that I didn't check the slot before initially trying to insert the drive I don't know if it was of my doing, but I highly doubt it. I'm now left with an expensive (for me anyways!) piece of hardware that I was really looking forward to, just lying in it's box.
I was wondering if anyone had some advice as to what I should do next with regard to fixing the problem e.g. is there anyway of fixing/replacing the slot myself (apologies if that's a foolish/idiotic comment, I'm happy to tinker with my gadgets but certainly no expert) or do I need to get a professional involved?
Any advice would be hugely appreciated. Many thanks.

Hello,
It is a bit hard for me to tell from the photo, but it appears that two pins on the top row near the ends are the ones you are talking about.  Is that correct?
If the unit is still under warranty, I would suggest checking with Lenovo support and see what suggestions they might have.
Otherwise... have you tried gently trying to lever them up using a toothpick (or other relatively soft non-metallic object)?  If so, did that allow you to get the pins aligned correctly?
Regards,
Aryeh Goretsky
I am a volunteer and neither a Lenovo nor a Microsoft employee. • Dexter is a good dog • Dexter je dobrý pes
S230u (3347-4HU) • X220 (4286-CTO) • W510 (4318-CTO) • W530 (2441-4R3) • X100e (3508-CTO) • X120e (0596-CTO) • T61p (6459-CTO) • T43p (2678-H7U) • T42 (2378-R4U) • T23 (2648-LU7)
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