Years ago I removed one I know had never been changed (this being around 1975 or so) and the slots were facing down. I made myself a note of it since it differed from the shop manual and that's how I've done it since. Just be certain to use the right washers on the bottom side since larger ones can stop all movement and you don't want that.
Right!, i changed my originals with new, they are sae's and mine were badly battered, hammered and been through the wringer!
Must be alot of forces in action down there.
