Its not hard to remove them. I just use a Dremel with a wire brush attachment. If the plating has been replaced with rust I replate with tin using a Caswell brush plating kit.
Depends on how much restoration you plan to do if the kit is worth it. Replacement rods can be had from the repro parts guys like Jeff Kane but be aware some are nickel plated and won’t match the originals. Tin is a better match.
Before after replating.
This shows a repro nickel plated eccentric rod with a original tin side and main rod.
Pete
