Harvey & the list-
Actually the early Record front changers did not have the problems of what you speak.
The cable fixing nut threaded into a chromed bronze arm.
Both pivot arms were retained by a "truss head" screw with a slot.
My first Record front 1972 suffered the problem of a leaning pivot boss as there was no cir-clip. Switched out that body when the design changed.
Never stripped out a cable bolt. But there were a few customer's who did, we kindly offered that they let their trusty bike shop do their work. This was often the same set of customers who stripped out crank arm dust caps and broke stems torqing down quill and bar clamp fasteners.
Have broken Simplex Plastic front derailleur bodies by looking at them though.
John Jorgensen
Palos Verdes Ca