Convertible Top Problem - "off tension linkage rod" Broken

[captapd]

The right side "off tension linkage rod" on my 1997 E36 Automatic Convertible Top has snapped off close to the ball joint. Basicly were the arrows point to on page 7 off this link. http://tech.bentleypublishers.com/se...ble_Adjust.pdf

Local shop tells me that no one sells this as an individual part and I have to buy an entire replacement frame for a few grand. They think that they can weld it back together for a couple hundred bucks. But it is an awfully small area to be welding back together especially considering it is a "tension" linkage. They say they have never seen this problem on a top.

Any thoughts, suggestions, sources for used top frames?

Thanks,

Andrew