Unexpected rear spring issue, need some suggestions.

[cobolnofun]

I have been working on the rear of the cart, and just finished replacing the driver side suspension. I moved over to the passenger side and everything came off way better than the driver side.

The last part I removed was the front bolt/bushing for the spring. It popped right out without any fighting, but when I picked it up off the floor I saw the bushing was basically gone and the metal was worn though! Thinking maybe more bushing was still stuck on the frame I looked and found the spring had gouged a rut into the frame over I am guessing is the last 28 years.

So I am kinda at a loss here. If I put the new pushing in, the gouge will just destroy it. I can attempt to braze some aluminum in to fill the gouge, but I don’t really want to turn the cart on its side. Maybe a bronze washer to take up the friction? Do they even make bronze washers? Short of welding a new tab on, any ideas on how to resolve this?

[vartz04]

weld it and grind it would be my suggestion but it depends on how accurate you could grind it down.

[Muddog]

You can replace as is. The new bushings will not have the rubbing problem, they will stay snug in the spring.
Sand any rough or sharp edges on tab.
You could use stainless steel washers, between bushing and tab, instead of bronze, as well.
But they are not needed.

[cobolnofun]

My concern is the bushing will slowly destroy itself moving against that rut.

You think just a little sanding/filing should be good enough to keep failure at bay?

aluminum welding is out of my realm so that is last resort option hopefully.

[Htownblue]

You don’t need to do anything. Buy new bushings. You’re talking about a 20 year problem....meaning a new bushing will last for 20years even with that worn of a Center tube.