I just had hinge issues with my LT40, on a post flight inspection a couple of days ago, noticed that one of the elevator hinges had broken.
I personally do not like to play the 'it should be OK if I do ...' game. So I cut off the elevator and
replaced all 4 hinges. only took an hour (recoverd the elevator at the same time) and I have the
security that all the hinges are now sound. (They are CA hinges by the way)
I would take off the rudder and re hinge it.
Dan