There is no technical justification for deviations, however minor, from the Maintenance Manual except by an engineering organisation with appropriate design authority or in conjunction with the manufacturer as the Design Authority.
In summary, all maintenance is based on total compliance with the Maintenance Manual or other Approved Data and no deviation is permissible, on either legal or technical grounds, without Design Authority approval.
So what would be your defence before a judge? I am concerned the "ex" may disappear from your name excon.