Lca pivot welded to k frame
Pivot shaft is welded to the k-frame.
I’m in North Dakota.
That's what it looked like in the pictures, but you said the pivot shaft was welded to the LCA in your post. More than likely the pivot shaft tube broke loose inside the K frame, and the "fix" was to just weld the shaft into the K.
The pivot tubes can be replaced, you'll have to open up the K frame to do it though. Member
@Jim Lusk has performed repairs like that, now that he's tagged maybe he'll share some pointers. The pivot tubes were just spot welded in from the factory, and some were not done particularly well. I wouldn't say it's a common problem for them to break loose but it definitely happens.
If you can weld, you can open up the K frame and replace the pivot tube. Given the holes in the K are messed up too I'd replace a section of K on the front and the back so I could drill a nice round hole in the patch metal. So you'd have a new pivot tube and nice round holes on both sides. It would require some patience, as you'll need to have the pivot tube located properly and level so you don't accidentally move the location of the LCA and totally bugger your chances of getting a decent alignment later. If only one side is messed up you can use the other side of the K as your guide.