Operators would do terrible things to the flipper plates. My guess is the parts became unavailable well before they broke and well before the games came off route. The newer style will swap with no problem. The flipper bushing is a different length. The last 3 Meteors I restored I bought the full assembly for the lower flippers and rebuilt the top flipper. There is nothing like a set of fresh classic Stern flippers. They are the heart of the game.