Confused. You reached out to Stern and they replied with a “how to repair” to help. You had no luck and replied back with a request for “warranty service” which is not an option nor in warranty? Why did you not contact them and say I tried your suggestion and I couldn’t do it and they Likely would have responded with a call or an alternate fix? Sounds to me like they did try to help but you are waiting for something that is not offered.