You can recell an intelligent pack. Just retain the electronics during the recelling. As long as there is no problem with the electronics on the board, you should be fine.

As far as the hinges go, LEM just ran an article on how to stabilize them. It's not a perfect fix because you end up with four visible screwheads, but this is what I've always done because the alternatives are too time consuming. If you don't mind a slight aesthetic ding, I recommend doing it.

And that piece of trim, as noted, is indeed a royal pain in the fazoo. "Some assembly required."