Lastly, I have found some thread where folks talk about replacing the lower head, looks like a pain?
No, (in *my* opinion) it is very straight forward and easy to replace the lower head. If you take your time, it *might* take you all of fifteen minutes to change it out.
Basically all you have to do is remove the upper head (inner shaft), the bearing cup on top of the outer shaft and then slide the lower head unit off after loosening or removing the screws, and then slide the new one on and be sure not to over tighten the screws when you put it back together.....
If you completely remove the screws, just be sure not to drop them unless you have really good eyes!
Good luck!
Ed[8D]