On Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:19:27 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

Does the rod appear to be structural or decorative?

It is structural. It is necessary to hold the handrail to the central
shaft.

Have you considered uploading a picture and providing a link so we can
see what's going on?

I can do that in a few days.
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