Hello Simon,
Sorry to hear of your issue, particularly since the replacement costs are likely to render that route as being uneconomical.
I terms of deleting, I would first be taking experienced advice on this, and the potential MOT implications, before spending anything on that route.
Let’s hope someone who has experienced views of been-there-done-that will be along to help, or if there is indeed experienced advice to just not go there.
Kind regards,
Gareth.