Apparatus including an elongated body to couple with a surface mount connector to reduce or prevent deformation of the surface mount connector during soldering of the surface mount connector to a substrate, the surface mount connector including a connector housing having a first end portion and a second end portion. In one implementation, the elongated body may include: a first body end portion forming a first tab insertable into a first portion of a socket defined by the first housing end portion; and a second body end portion forming a second tab insertable into a second portion of the socket defined by the second housing end portion.