Sparky, I have the same problem with my case rubbing on the board components. Like yours, my fan plug has broken off, and I was showing wear on the black component also. Instead of the gasket to raise the board I actually took a dremel to the inside of the case bottom to remove a little material from the inside of the case to create clearance where those components were rubbing. My first MMM already had the broken fan plug by the time I found the problem. My 2nd MMM is holding up fine without any rubbing or breakage yet. Both fans are dead already though. I just pulled the stock fan out of the case and strapped a 25mm fan over the vent holes in the top of the case and plugged it into the reciever. I was tempted to do what you did and cut the case (only even more so than you did) but I didnt want to have to worry about voiding the warantee with the way these things seem to be dropping like flies. So far so good for me though... I still have 2 out of 2 running fine with the exception of the fans. (knock on wood
)