Swirl flap removal advise needed for 320d N47 engines

Noticed some oil leaking around the inlet manifold the other day and I suspected to be caused by one of the seals. Although at the close inspection I noticed it was coming around the control rod adjuster unit area so once I removed it I checked the flap control rod and it had a considerable amount of play with lot of soot around it so It seems to me that it is on it's way out.

The way I see it I can either replace the whole manifold or remove the swirl flaps altogether, however I know that the method used on M47/M57 engines won't work due to the different inlet manifold design, but I've heard that it can still be done. It would be a great help if anyone directs me to place that specializes in this type of work