restringing capo section of Steinway D

[PNOTNR@aol.com]

I have a college with a S&S D that seems to be breaking strings in the capo
section on a fairly regular basis.  This instrument gets used a lot, and I'm
not going to be able to have it out of service for any appreciable length of
time.

If I get an okay to proceed with restringing the top two sections, do I need
to remove ALL tension from all strings, or is it posible to just lower it to
a certain point?  I'm a little concerned with possible metal fatigue
throughout the scale  and don't want to be causing problems in the tenor and
bass sections.  (Maybe this worry is unnecessary since the capo section is
the only one where strings are breaking)

Also, how best does one dress the V bar?  Do I just sand it with emory cloth,
or does anyone have a more precise method?  Thanks in advance for any
responses.

Gordon Large
Mt. Vernon, Maine