Strange one, but could you not get one done through rapid prototype/ additive manufactured?
Would be cheaper than buying a replacement surely
Thanks for the suggestion
@Mr S . I finally have contacted Alistair Pugh at A2P2 Specialist Reverse Engineering (
www.a2p2.co.uk ) and this was his reply:
"
If we were to go the whole hog and laser scan and cad up the replacement part, this would be good for producing multiple parts in reasonable volume for satisfying the potential spares market. More cost up front, but leads to a lower component price.
However if you just wanted a one off fix for your car then we could approach it in different way by using my machining guy to knock a part up based on the sample. I would imagine it would be a couple of hundred £ at the most."
@jasst and
@atreyu1 may have had similar issues, but I doubt there is enough market to justify producing this part in 'reasonable volume'.
I also contacted Hill Engineering about getting a new 'gate' machined up that could then be affixed to the plate, but they didn't have an appetite for it.
To help clarify what is missing following the break of the leg of the 'gate', I attach the following photos. First, we have
@voicey pointing at the broken part:
Second we have my crappy drawing in red of the piece that has broken off. The other leg on the opposite side of the gate was also broken. Note the hex screw sitting in the 'T-bar' and the absence of brass grommets suggests that this assembly had been previously fitted with the uprated Hill Engineering RL-01 reverse lever. The original reverse lever is usually the weakest part and the round protusions on the outside of the reverse lever (marked below in blue) are what usually shear off. The Hill part seems to be so strong that when an over zealous mechanic (not Voicey I hasten to add) or employee has tried to put the car into reverse, the gate has given way instead of the lever:
Finally, here is a photograph of an intact gate with an original lever in situ with the brass grommet I referred to above:
