17-inch MacBook Pro 5,2 (early 2009) hinge broken

[stephenc92]

The hinge on my early 2009 MacBook Pro 17-inch appears to have broken. The screen can now only be in one position and is unable to support itself at any other angle. If it is moved down too far, the screen will rapidly fall until the lid closes; if it is moved back too far, it will fall all the way back to a position where it looks as if the screen may fall off. Moving the screen also causes a snapping sound.

Any advice on what to do about this? I will take it to the Genius Bar, but as it's 3 years old there is no AppleCare and so I guess they will charge me for a replacement?