a) Are you talking about Westone cable w/remote or the ALO Ref8 cable? They both will rotate, though Westone (black) cable has their new MMCX audio connector which is tighter, while ALO uses universal mmcx connector (thus a little gap) and will be not as tight.
b) ALO cable 3.5mm connector, does it look worn out or different from this?
It should fit tight. Could be something wrong with a cable you got from a seller. Btw, you mentioned you get intermittent problem with one of the earpieces. Is it always one specific side? If you switch mmcx connectors between Left/Right earpieces, does the problem stays with a connector or follows either L/R earpieces? It could be not necessary a problem with 3.5mm plug, but rather one of the mmcx connectors.
a) Are you talking about Westone cable w/remote or the ALO Ref8 cable?- ALO cable and mine look like your pphoto 2
c) There are 4 sets of j-clip faceplates included with a new W80:
Makes me wonder if you can contact Westone, explain to them that you bought a 2nd hand W80, provide a S/N (should be on the box or you can find it on the nozzle of W80), and see if they can help you with faceplates or the cable.