Unclear about front fender washers

[GlockPointer]

Are they supposed to be squashed after torqueing for the first time or no?
Mine are squashed but I have new ones.
Hear tell it could affect front end feel?
What's the skinny?

[ekap1200]

Hello Frazier, My first question is , is your fender starting to crack and the front end just didn't feel right? . To answer your question, No , don't overdo the torque on the fasteners , the will just crush in time and I have been told they should be replaced when the tire is replaced. They should stand proud of the plastic a just a bit when you place them into the fender and then they just slightly bear down to secure the plastic fender. You want a metal to metal connection to make the fork brace work. They are the weakest link in the fork brace design in my opinion.
I have never purchased them but make new ones on the lathe out of stainless 7/8ths rod. And I make the wall thickness greater and the depth at 0.230~0.235 . How much did you pay for the set of 4 ? I don't sell many of these. I would like to hear what your results show at low speed handling when you do these . Gene Kap.

[GlockPointer]

Fender is not cracking there, front end never felt great and I'm checking easiest things first.
I put on the superbrace and noticed the washers at that time.
Lotsa rain here lately so haven't got around to it yet.