How to easy replace a component with many connections?

I need to replace several Color Controls with Greyscale controls. Easy one can say, but not so easy if the controls each have many outputs in a somewhat complicated pattern.
Of course it can be done, but is rather time consuming and prone to errors.

Is there an easy way to do this? It might also be useful for updating older filters.

Thanks Rachel, I was already a bit afraid of that

Maybe there are more FilterForgers, who would like to see an auto-replace function. It would also help people to easily update their filters, which would also be good for all users. In exploring other people's filter, I come across many (not to say almost all) with obsolete or at least older version's components. I think that this auto replace function would also benefit the makers of FF.

An idea along the line, which would at least help current 'problem' : I'd like to see a new component that just passes through what it gets at it's input.
It has two advantages :

1. By inserting such a component between a component that might be replaced later on and the many connections going from there, it will be a piece of cake to replace the component. Only one connection needs to be remade (from the out of component that replaces the old one, to input of my suggested component. The many outs of my component can stay in place.

2. The programming of extended filters might become easier. Instead of many connections from one component to stuff further down the line, it would be only one connection to my suggested component, which can be placed at a strategic place down the line and the outgoing connections will be much shorter and neater.

3. Studying a filter can become easier - less cluttered. (same arguments as in 2.)

Thanks SpaceRay for your input. I have followed your first method up until now and will in the future. It works ok in many cases, but I had some permutations thing going and replacing the connections by hand was just a big pain in a well known place

Your method 2 is a good back up in case of a mess-up.

I still think it would be nice if the FF team, could come up with an auto update/replace for components. Coding wise it should not be too hard I think, as all the connections are known. Anyway, thanks for your answer.