Yes, the pad will stay, although it can shift. I found that it is a pivot lock. Thought there may be a utube video on how to repair but there is not. Guess I will be using it without the clips.

This company sells reasonably priced replacement pivot locks that may work for you. My table pads have pivot locks that work like these.

I have the lock. One side of the lock is supposed to be permanently attached to one of the pads and then hook onto another pad. it is no longer attached to the pad (seems to be a small metal screw or something).

When the lock side (that was supposed to be permanently attached to my EA table pad) detached, I used a bit of crazy glue to reattach it to the underside of the pad layer. Still holding after 5 years.

Crazy glue is a great idea and glad it worked for you. I will try this.

After looking at the pad i realized that using crazy glue on the pivot lock would mean that I would not be able to open and close the lock. I need a way to tighten the small bolt which may be stripped.