[944Larry]

Remember when you go to changing things that an IA does an annual inspection on your a/c every year. Is he a guy you use a lot and would cut you some slack if he spotted some "non-approved" work if he thought it was safe? Any modification would require a PMA, STC, or a field approval to be approved. I'd just TIG weld the thing whenever it broke and look at it as one of the annoyances of being an aircraft owner, kinda' like some of our Porsche problems!