So I have been unsuccessful with my available tools in taking the dent out of the original driver side spring plate.
I’ve worked it a couple times but I’m afraid basic hammers, a vise, and some basic dollies on metal this thick are just not going to cut it.
I’ve gone ahead and snagged a set of basic aftermarket ones as a temporary replacement from local Ohio vendor Dune Buggy Warehouse. They were only $20/pair so I won’t feel out much when I decide to throw them out. I can’t imagine they are remotely the quality metal of the original ones.
And chrome? Ugh! I’ll sand all that up and paint them with the same KBS black I’m using elsewhere. That is after I knock off the spacers for use with dual spring plates.
I found some originals on The Samba for sale from way out in Oregon.
If I can’t repair the dent along the plate stop on my original I’ll just snag one of these and restore it.
I also picked up some new pivot washers.
They were low cost. I’ll still try to clean up the originals (above) but want to have these on hand just in case.
I never know when you really should just replace bolts and washers and such. I mean, these take a beating to some degree every time the car is driven.
The thing is, the aftermarket ones do not appear to be identical.
I asked around about the cut-out on the one and nobody seems to know why it would be cut out like that. I haven’t removed the passenger side yet so I’m not sure if is a fluke or not.
These also seem to be a bit different in size and all aftermarket ones are identically sized.
I suppose removing the passenger side arm will definitely help determine if work occurred by prior owners or not.