"kettle bowl flex causing the enamel to pop where the handle is welded to the kettle."
Yep, and it's a dirty little secret 26's have, sooner or later. They use the same metal stock for handles as the smaller kettles but weigh more. Whether or not the handle will actually come off is a question. But it's clear that the metal wasn't designed for the heavier grill.
I have an AT bowl that the previous owner had to bolt back on the front handle. When Weber sent me a replacement bowl, for the mis-welded sockets that caused lean-back, I gave it new, longer legs and a wheel on the front one, so that I never have to lift it up just to move it across the deck.