For a LGA775 stock cooler those things would be "pushpins".
I'd recommend buying a new stock cooler as it's far less of a hussle then RMA-ing it and costs about the same (after you pay for all the shipping and everything).
Most likely they would just replace the entire heatsink and fan anyway and ask full price for it.
Message edited by Andrius on 04-13-2008 at 10:16:19 PM