Quick note to anyone else considering upgrading their aka clips:
We lost an aka whilst sailing at sea off Falmouth (UK) last summer - no warning, front (windward) aka bar just came out & wife ended up in the water, clinging on to a tangle of tramp, bars & the ama. Quickly furled the sail & awkwardly paddled to nearest beach with her in the water holding onto the parts as best she could. No big drama in the end but could have been much worse if it had been the leeward aka that came out, or we had been much further out from a landing spot!
In the moment, I presumed something had broken, but once at shore found the aka had simply slipped from it's clips - it clicked back in but I could see how easily with just the slightest of touch of a button it comes out - so I presume just the movement & twisting through the waves had released it.
Anyway, I was aware of the upgraded clips thanks to this site, ordered the upgrades but didn't get around to fitting over the winter so ended up having to take them on hols with us this summer, and this is how I fitted them with just basic tools & WD40:
Soaked the screw heads with WD40 & checked I could loosen each one before proceeding. Lucky for me they all came free (2017 model regularly hosed with fresh water) - after reading others experiences on here, that was the most worrying part for me!
Then with a good squirt of WD40 up the tube, I could depress the clip buttons & lever the clips slightly outward using a flathead screwdriver.
Without any long-nosed pliers (or metal coat-hangers to bend), I cut a 3 foot length of cord, threaded each end through the same button hole, poking one end above & one below the clip, pushed it through until both ends came out the tube. Wrap the cord around the hand & with a few sharp tugs the clips came flying out.
I used a broom handle to push the replacement clips back up the tube - with some care it's easy to push until the buttons line up with the holes and they simply pop into place. Replace screws - job done.
I could see no difference in the replacement aka bar ends, even though the illustration appears to show an increased ramp angle, but replaced them anyway - if you are suffering from corroded screws you could save yourself the hassle here.
It feels considerably more positive & secure mechanism now, so due to our experience I consider this an essential upgrade, and in the meantime I would recommend taking other precautions mentioned on here such as securing-lines between each knuckle.
Hope this is of some help, and offers encouragement to those still thinking about it!
