I'm having trouble routing the wire for my thermocouple into the slot above the auto clean. It's really close, but not quite completely in there w/ the ignitor wires. I'm trying like hell not to interfere w/ the auto clean and/or ruin the TC wire itself. Seems I have to do it by feel. QUESTION: Can I remove the ash lip that sits above the ash pan? That would sure make access easier, but I'm not sure if that big cast iron ash lip is integral to the entire frame of the stove... will things come apart/shift on me if I remove the ash pan?